Scissor sense

Joanne Giordano and Laura McLain — admitted business novices in 2012 — marked a major milestone late last year, when they marked the fifth anniversary of their downtown Sarasota hair salon.

Business is going so well for the pair, they recently doubled the size of the Apartment 12 Hair Studio storefront, on Main Street. Revenue has grown every year as well, though they decline to disclose specific figures.

Not coming from a business background, Giordano and McLain had to learn many lessons on the fly. One big challenge, Giordano says, is managing the business while still working as a stylist. “We're behind the chair all day long,” she says.