Creating a beautiful life

This esthetics professional put family first, and realized her dream at the same time

Karen Soukoroff embraces her community. —

Photo courtesy ProCreative Design Lab/Wally Soukoroff photo

Aeon Studio is a multi-faceted hair and esthetics salon in Castlegar, with services that include ear piercing, waxing, manicures, pedicures, haircuts and colouring, to name a few. For the past nine years, the business has been owned by Karen Soukoroff, an ambitious mom who let nothing stop her from providing for her daughter.

"Since high school I've always told my friends I would own a salon one day; I don't think anyone believed me," said Soukoroff. "I had a child at 20 years old and was a single mom. I started a business in Nelson when my daughter was one, and took business classes at Community Futures. They gave me the tools and guided me in starting my first business."

Soukoroff travelled back and forth between Castlegar and Nelson for a time, but decided she would have more quality time with her daughter if she started up a business in Castlegar.

"I ran into my old hairdresser one day and she told me she was selling her salon," she said. "I bought it and renamed it—my whole family was involved. We renovated, and my brother has a web business called ProCreative Design Lab—he helped  with the name and design of Aeon Studio as well as a website."

Now the Aeon staff team is five strong, and Soukoroff has realized her dream to give her daughter and herself a better life. She relishes the Castlegar lifestyle and all that it brings with it.

"I love working and living in the Castlegar area for many reasons," she said. "One is to be close to my family and friends. (Also) there is so much beauty in the Kootenays and I love being right in the heart of it. As far as working in Castlegar, it's great. (There are) lots of positive people and a great networking community with lots of support. I love being close to my Russian roots."