LaGRANGE — The sounds of laughter, chatter and a blowing hairdryer greet clients as they walk through the doors of Salon J, located at 1302 Lafayette Parkway, suite C.

Folks walk into the embrace of the hair salon with an open floor plan, brightly painted walls and warm lighting.

The shop is owned by Jessica Stafford — she puts the J in Salon J. The stylist opened her doors to customers in October of 2014, but her dream of owning her own salon began many years before then.

“It all started with my mother’s salon, Sandy’s Cut N Style. She (Sandy L. Smith) was in business for 14 years,” Stafford said. “We have always shared the same passion, and I am very fortunate to have someone to mentor me and inspire me to follow my dreams.”

Almost two years ago, Stafford decided she wanted to explore the business side of a salon. But she did not want to open her own shop without her mom.

A week before Salon J greeted its first customers, Sandy’s Cut N Style closed its doors for good at 1308 Hogansville Road.

“After discussing it with my mother, she decided that she would love to come work with me,” Stafford explained. “We have a wonderful relationship, and I am thankful she is on this journey with me. We are very family oriented and we consider our clients family as well.

“We have been very blessed the past two years and hope to continue expanding and providing the latest trends for our clients,” she added.

Salon J offers hair care services such as cuts, colors, perms, blow-outs, styles and sets, said Stafford. The shop also provides facial waxing.

Salon J is open on Monday by appointment only, Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The salon can be contacted at 706-884-7323.