Annette Malone has been in business for 14 years. She's seen a lot of people come through the doors of Reality Hair Concepts on Linden Avenue in South Bend.
Malone says the community has been good to her, and it's her duty to give back. "I feel good because I'm always trying to be a giver," she says with a smile as she sets a young client's hair. "I believe if you give you will get blessed."
Malone knows how stressful it can be for parents to get their kids ready for a new school year. South Bend students will head back a week from Wednesday. They'll need new books and supplies, not to mention new clothes and shoes. That can be expensive.
So one day a year Malone welcomes students into her salon for free. She offers a free wash, set and style for the girls and a free haircut for the boys. "A lot of times it's their first time coming to the hairdresser too, so I think that's awesome just to see the smiles on their faces once they get their hair done," Malone says.
The event has gotten big enough that Malone had to call in outside stylists just to meet the demand. There wasn't an empty chair in the salon when we visited Monday. "It makes me stop thinking about myself," Malone says. "It's all part of giving back."
