Beverly Hingle, owner of Fantastic Sams in Picayune, knows a thing or two about styling hair. Since attending beauty school at age 15, Hingle has worked in the beauty salon industry for the past 37 years.

“My mother was a hairdresser so she encouraged me to get into the industry. I basically grew up in a beauty shop,” Hingle said.

After completing beauty school, Hingle worked as a hairdresser but she took a seven-year break from the industry to work as a secretary. After her mother, who owned Fantastic Sams in Slidell, La., passed away in 1997, Hingle took over the business.

In 2004, she decided to branch out and open a second store in Picayune. The full-service salon provides amenities for the entire family, including hair color, haircuts, facial waxing and hair treatments that include deep conditioning, relaxers and perms.

“The salon really focuses on the whole family. 50 percent of my business is men,” Hingle said.

While Hingle spends her weeks bouncing back and forth between both salons, she said she trusts her experienced staff in Picayune to keep the salon running smoothly.

On Wednesdays, Picayune residents can find Hingle at the salon. She spends the day overseeing her employees and taking care of her clients.

“Each client is different and I learn a lot from them just by our conversations,” Hingle said. “I really try to listen to my client that way they’re happy with the results and they come back to see us.”

Fantastic Sams is located at 229 Frontage Rd.

The salon is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. No appointments are necessary.

For more information, call salon staff at (601) 799-3886.