By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
A salon in Pennsauken is helping brand new stylists get a solid start in the field of cosmetology. Beauty Talk Salon and Spa officially opened along Marlton Pike in August of 2025. It’s run by Nakia Watson, Sonya Rice, and Kelli Lamb, three instructors from Empire Beauty School in Cherry Hill with a combined 75 years of instruction. Their goal is to provide support and guidance for graduates from area schools.
“We opened the salon to give newly graduated students a place to come to work and build a clientele, but to also feel comfortable doing it and still learn,” explained Watson.
“The fact that we have an education background allows us to take young junior stylists straight out of school and mold them and help them out on their career,” continued Rice. “I’m in charge of the education department and it’s my job and responsibility to make sure every department, which is hair, nails, and skin, are current on the education that’s behind the services that they’re doing.”
“I like the aspect of being able to teach and give back. And that’s what being a salon owner is, being able to teach the new styles and give back,” added Lamb. “Even if it’s just giving back to the community, giving back to the future stylist who’s just started the business, giving back to the clients. It’s the giving aspect of it.”
Beauty Talk’s staff includes at least 12 recent graduates from various cosmetology schools, and since opening, the salon has started to build a clientele.
“We got out to a pretty good start. The demand is there,” explained Sonya. “There’s a lot of students that want to work at our salon. We were there and ready and available and the salon took off a lot faster than we ever could think.”
“They can all come and get everything done in one shop without making an appointment here in this building, then making another appointment over there, and then go over here and get their eyebrows done,” added Kelli. “They can come to one place and get it all done right here.”
Nakia, Sonya, and Kelli are doing more than just helping new cosmetologists grow. They’re also showing them how to be a true part of the community by giving back. In the fall, the salon had a solid turnout for its trunk-or-treat event. And with prom season on the horizon, Beauty Talk is helping those less fortunate get ready for the big dance.
“We have a prom dress drive going. I’ve reached out to the local high schools; they will choose recipients that can come here, pick out the dresses that were donated, and we will also service them for prom day,” said Watson.
Prom dress donations will be accepted at Beauty Talk through March. Selected students will come in on a Sunday and pick out a dress. Then on the day of their prom, they can have their hair, makeup, and nails done.
Beauty Talk Salon and Spa is located at 5245 Marlton Pike, Ste. F, in Pennsauken, in the shopping center with Dunkin’. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more info, call (609) 496-0494, or visit BeautyTalkNJ.com.
