GREENE — A year ago, Christine Laliberte had eight employees at The Beauty Bar.

Today, she’s up to 21 and considering an expansion.

It’s been quite a year.

Laliberte, 39, opened her first salon, what would eventually become The Beauty Bar, in 2009.

“I always liked playing around as a child with different colors and hair and Barbie. It just kind of grew into a passion of wanting to help people be the best version of themselves,” she said. “It’s just a good feeling when you turn them around, they have that initial, ‘Oh, my god, I feel great.’ It’s that reward.”

Laliberte grew up in Lewiston. The first business she started was a day care, when her daughters were young. As they got older, she went back to school.

She bought Sheer Madness on Center Street in 2009, rebranded it in 2014. She moved the business to its current location on Minot Avenue a year ago.

“Being behind the chair is still my passion, but now I love growing employees,” Laliberte said. “It’s kind of evolved into taking them individually, how can I make them be the best version of themselves for the client as well.”

Growing up, her father owned a construction company and she saw his example of being a business owner.

“I’ve worked for others and it was always frustrating to be held back because of somebody else,” Laliberte said. “I tried to take that and not be that way. Everybody is an employee, so teamwork makes the dream work, and we all work together very, very well. We all want each other to succeed, that’s the whole goal.”

The last two years, Laliberte, her staff and customers have taken part in the Women’s Literary Union’s prom gown giveaway, this spring collecting more than 20 gowns at The Beauty Bar. She also included gift certificates for hair and makeup.

“Not everybody has the opportunity to go to prom because they don’t have the money to do so and I just think it’s unfortunate to miss that experience because you can’t afford it,” said Laliberte. “I feel like every girl should have that opportunity.”

kskelton@sunjournal.com

“Being behind the chair is still my passion, but now I love growing employees.”