West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight: Lisa's Chair
by Sara Sedlacek · July 21, 2008

Lisa Morgan hasn’t been in West Liberty long but she has made a name for herself. In her seven years in West Liberty, Morgan’s home-based hair salon has grown its client-base from both ends to serve clients of all ages.

Morgan, who has been in the business of beauty for 19 years, moved to West Liberty from Milwaukee. She spent time working at JC Penny in Coral Ridge Mall before meeting Pat Farlinger.

“As a second job in Milwaukee, I taught hair color for a Nexus company,” said Morgan. “They didn’t have a teaching spot open when I came here but they did have a sales position. I met Pat when I tried to sell her hair color.”

Lisa’s Chair began seven years ago when Morgan first rented a chair in Pat’s Hairstyling, owned by Farlinger. Morgan spent five years with Pat’s Hairstyling before she and Farlinger left downtown West Liberty to work from their homes.

Lisa’s Chair offers many services including haircuts, perms, wax, highlights, color, up-do’s and products. Morgan carries Matrix and Kenra products and Matrix hair color.

“Coloring is my favorite thing to do because I taught continuing education in hair color,” she said. Every two years Morgan must take 12 hours of continuing education classes to keep up-to-date on the latest trends and regulations. “Last year I went to a hair show in Omaha [for my continuing education] and it had a variety of everything. There were all kinds of different hairstyles, products and up-do’s.”

Learning about the latest trends in up-do’s comes in handy for Morgan because she is also available for Prom, Homecoming, weddings and other occasions which may require a more refined look. The continuing education also helps her keep on the cutting edge with the newest do’s.

“Some of my clients want the really funky stuff,” she said. “Like the bright red or black with blonde hair. I do a lot of color.”

Morgan takes clients of all ages though, she said, most of her clients are men and women in their late-20’s to mid-30’s and most of them work.

“I’m here in the early evenings or as late as I need to be here,” she said. “I have good hours for people who work and most my clients work. That’s why I have to be here later.”

She also has clients getting their first haircut, teenagers and older people, as well. Morgan’s clients come from West Liberty and the surrounding area, as well as Kalona, Coralville and Tipton.

“I really consider my clients my friends,” Morgan said. “I feel like my clients come back to me because of that friendly atmosphere.”

Lisa’s Chair does not normally take walk-ins; appointments are necessary. Appointments for haircuts must be made at least a day or two in advance and appointments for color or highlights must be made a week in advance. Lisa’s Chair is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.