Mirage Hair Salon is very unique in the industry. Instead of just being one business, it is really a host of 12-16 individual hair salon businesses sharing a lease. “These individuals find a greater freedom with the autonomy to run their own business,” says owner Laura Rux. “This is the core of my business model, because I love supporting entrepreneurs.”

Of course, the pandemic has been an incredible challenge for the hair styling industry nationwide, and Mirage Hair Salon is no different. “We had to shut down for three months, and even when we opened, we were under harsh restrictions,” says Rux. “As a business, we have worked as a team to make sure our entire salon remains operational.”

That team approach is also how Rux and the entire salon are looking to help out the community. Excited to be a part of Columbia Bank’s Pass It On Project, Mirage Hair Salon is giving out free cuts and Columbia Bank is picking up the tab. “We will be providing free haircuts to clients of two organizations in town – Acres of Diamonds, a transitional housing nonprofit, and Congregations for the Homeless, which serves homeless men on the Eastside,” says Rux. “With Columbia bank picking up the tab, we hope this service will help improve the lives of many people in our community.”