IN PROFILE: Linda Peterson

BUSINESS: Hairtage Beauty Salon Manicurist

AGE: 46

BACKGROUND: “I have wanted to do nails since I was 16 years old. I didn’t get the opportunity until nine years ago. I was downsized in my job and my husband persuaded me to go to school for doing nails.”

FIRST JOB: “My first job ever was being a hostess at Red Lobster in Tucson, Arizona, and I was 16.”

YEARS IN BUSINESS: “I spent three years at CC’s Beauty Zone and the rest of the time has been here. So I have been in the business nine years. I love working here because I get more walk-in traffic and my co-workers are great.”

PERSONAL: “I love spending time with my family and watching Steelers football. I also love going to the movies with my kids.”

BUSINESS CLIMATE: “The economy has picked up a lot. We are getting more winter business here. I think it’s a good time to get into this business. We have a lot of loyal customers here. In a bad economy, it takes more time to build up clientele and now it’s easier to do that. Location is important. You need to find a location where you will have walk-in traffic.”