SITTING IN STYLE. Janelle Buesser recently opened Watermark Salon inside Eau Claire’s Artisan Forge Studios.

For Janelle Buesser, Artisan Forge Studios – which provides space for dozens of artists and other small businesses – was a perfect fit. It’s edgy, artistic, “badass,” and it has great parking, so her customers don’t have to trudge through mountains of snow to get from their cars to her cozy styling chairs. She opened the doors of her new business, Watermark Salon, on Feb. 1, and has been snipping and styling nonstop ever since.

“As a hair stylist, that’s something you always dream of. To take a big leap like this is a really scary thing, but in the end it’s really freeing.” – Janelle Buesser, owner of Watermark Salon, on starting her own business

Watermark caters to a diverse clientele, from children to adults. Services offered include shampoo, cut, style, color, perm, extensions, and more. Buesser aims for her salon to be a comfortable place for all people. “I carefully chose the interior elements to help clients relax and feel transported somewhere else,” she said.

Buesser wants people to get all they can from the salon experience. Stylists begin with a consultation to determine what clients want, and end with educating them on how to maintain their style at home. Along the way, one can expect a hot towel, essential oils, and a short massage.

Education has always been a priority for Buesser. Originally from Jump River, she studied at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis before moving to Eau Claire in 1994. Over her 24 years of experience, she has always searched to advance her knowledge, working under world-renowned stylists such as Kevin Murphy. She is pursuing certification to have Watermark recognized as a Kevin Murphy Session Salon in the next year or two.

Constant pursuit of education is one of the values Buesser wants to promote at Watermark, along with communication and respect. She wanted to create an environment she would want to work in, so promoting the education and well-being of her employees is a priority.

Watermark also values natural ingredients and minimal environmental impact.

Buesser is excited to own her own business in the Valley. “As a hair stylist, that’s something you always dream of,” she said. “To take a big leap like this is a really scary thing, but in the end it’s really freeing.”

Watermark Salon is located inside Artisan Forge Studios, 1106 Mondovi Road, No. 228. Hours are 10am-5pm Monday and Tuesday, 10am-7pm Wednesday, and 9am-5pm Thursday and Friday.