Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Feher.
Hi Kelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been a stylist in Marlton for 25+ years and worked in some of the biggest, busiest, and noisiest salons in the area. I’ve been a special needs mom for just over 9 years. I came to realize that the places that I’d chosen to work in, are not suitable for everyone, especially the kids that had sensory issues relating to haircuts. I read an ad in the local newspaper, that my old dentist had posted. He changed his whole practice into a special needs dentistry, and i thought that was so nice!! Then i realized that i had the ability to so something for this crowd too. It all seemed to fall into place after that, and Calm Cuts was born. I remembered how, when i knew that i was having a baby with Down’s syndrome, so many random people stepped up to help me and educated me in the world of special needs, that i hoped that i would be able to do that for others one day. Calm Cuts has given me that platform to give back to the community that has always been there for me, and to do my part in helping special needs parents get a break. I love what i do…i love to help the kids achieve their goals, and the parents to know that there’s someone on their side.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I struggle with how to provide the best service for everyone, and since everyone that i service, has their own particular needs for their service, the process that I use, changes often. I try to rely on parents telling me their needs and wants, and i try to make that work for what the child is able to do. I have some friends that are therapists and behavioralists that i can ask for guidance, and advice, and then we just try to do the best we can.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Calm Cuts?
Calm Cuts is a low sensory salon, specializing in children with ASD or other processing disorders. I help kids who otherwise couldn’t, get their haircut. With my “IHP”, or “Individual haircut plan” we discuss the issues that the child faces, and we form a plan to proceed. Taking the time to talk about triggers and discussing distractions, helps everyone feel comfortable with the plan. Having a small space and giving the children time to get use to the space, and connect with me, in my opinion, makes a big difference. Sometimes the most challenging kids, respond differently just knowing that there is a plan, and that they can be a part of telling us what they need or what they are afraid of. Sometimes kids are still going to have a hard time…we will plan for that. Whatever the parents ask, i will try, to the best of my ability to do for them. I am not perfect, and there are no magic tricks…but, i have patience and understanding and i know what parents are going through, and i am here to help.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Patience and understanding. Usually these special people just need to go at a different pace, or use different methods to achieve their goals. Learning about each one individually helps them feel more comfortable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calmcutsmarlton.com
