By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
The verb “aspire” means to have a purpose or goal in mind as well as to move or extend upward.
Whether describing the goal-setting business acumen of owner Catherine Rogers or the volume of the hairstyles, both definitions apply to the Aspire Hair Studio in Seven Lakes which opened in November of 2023.
Rogers, a Moore County native, has worked in area salons since 2005. She was bound and determined to pursue a career as a veterinarian. But with no relevant college course electives offered to her as a Pinecrest High School student, she opted to take a cosmetology class, thinking it would be an easy “A.”
“The more I got into it, the more I actually liked it,” she said. “And the next thing you know, each week and each semester that went by drew me in. And I enjoyed it more and more.”
A serendipitous course selection sent her soaring in a new direction. She was encouraged by her teacher, Ruby Howard. “I can remember my instructor telling me that I had such a gift and such a passion for it, that if I let it go, it would be a mistake.”
She did find her groove behind the chair. “I was kind of calm, quiet and collected throughout high school, and it seems like as soon as somebody sat in my chair I just opened up completely,” she said. “I just started talking to people and becoming a better person.”
Rogers loved exploring the creative possibilities her sheers gave her. “I enjoyed being able to see the end result and making people feel good about themselves.”
She particularly gets pumped when getting the chance to do a big transformation. She tells clients “don’t look yet,” and she keeps the chair turned until time for the reveal. “I can see their faces, and it’s just priceless. I love it.”
After accruing nearly 20 years of experience in other salons, Rogers felt ready to build something of her own. “I’ve always been definitely blessed to work in other salons, all in Southern Pines. It did allow me to learn, to grow, to kind of get the feel of the salon life,” she said.
She was with many salons when they opened, which gave her a hint of what salon ownership required. “It gave me more passion and drive to become a salon owner myself,” Rogers said. “I had always wanted to and it just reached that point where it was time for me to do my own.”
The Eagle Springs resident searched Moore County for the right location for her new venture. “I literally looked everywhere from Whispering Pinews all the way to downtown Aberdeen,” she said. But when scurrying through a shortcut in the Seven Lakes business district during her daughter’s daycare drop off, she started noticing an old, faded sign advertising a building for sale or for lease. Rogers kept being drawn to it even as she chased other spaces across the county.
“It all fell through. Nothing worked out,” she recalled. “One day I was cutting through that parking lot and there was a new sign with a new number. I called it right then and within 24 hours everything was coming together. I guess you could say I had signs.”
Many of her clientele followed her even though it was off the beaten path. And she has also been building up a number of local clients since opening the studio at 4299 Seven Lakes Plaza.
Rogers aspires for a vibe of easy hospitality. ”‘I wanted a place where everybody, the team and clients, who walks through those doors is welcomed and feels right at home.”
At home is where Rogers feels behind the chair. “I love doing it all, from the big transformations to your bread-and-butter root touch-ups,” she said. “I think it’s just being behind the chair that brings me happiness and being able to catch up on all my clients — that’s the highlight of my day.”
Since opening, Rogers has welcomed a recent graduate, Kierstin Wood, to the Aspire team and is looking to grow by two more team members.
When she isn’t elbow deep in shampoo, Rogers enjoys being outdoors and growing her micro farm which already has a roost of chickens and a garden. She keeps her hands busy, whether planting cold-weather crops or cutting a cropped bob. She says she does it all with God’s help and the support of her family, including a partner of 22 years who she married in 2020 and three children.
Rogers also takes things one day at a time. She and Wood recently set goals for their second year. “It takes time. But you set our goals and crush them one day, one week, one month at a time. If something doesn’t work that’s ok, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and rethink.”
It helps that she has found Seven Lakes to be so small-business friendly.
“I have had the most outpouring of support and love from the Seven Lakes community,”said Rogers. “They want to help small businesses and they want to see you grow and succeed. I definitely feel at home here.”
Aspire Hair Studio is open Tuesday through Friday. Rogers welcomes interested clients and potential new team members to call (910) 400-5227 for appointments and inquiries. More information about Aspire and a link to a booking site can be found on the business’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
