After 40 years as a nail technician, Anita Barbera took a leap into entrepreneurship and opening her own salon. Though her timing, perhaps, couldn’t have been worse, she’s risen to the challenge in style.

Barbera purchased a building in Cranston and opened the doors to Kismet Salon just one day before all salons were ordered to close in the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Undeterred, Barbera used that time wisely to strengthen her business plan for long-term growth and remodel the building with her husband. Today, she has reopened under new guidelines and is seeing a steady stream of clients. She employs a small group of hair stylists with plans for expanding her team in the future.

Barbera connected with central region director Amit Basnet when she sought support from the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center to finance the property. Basnet assisted her with understanding the loan process and preparing her loan package. Barbera eventually settled on using private funds and a commercial mortgage to purchase the property for her beauty salon. She is now working with RISBDC on marketing, including using social media to spread the word about her nail and hair services.

“I love owning a business,“ Barbera says proudly. “It feels great. I am very fortunate. Myself and the other stylists are like a little family and care about one another,” said Barbera.

To learn more about Kismet Salon, find them on Facebook or call them at 401-942-1156.