Rhona Beauty

When she couldn’t find on-trend beauty services specifically designed for style-conscious ethnic women in Maine, Rhona Johnson Deah knew she had found an unmet need in the marketplace. With this in mind, she left her job as a medical technician, apprenticed with several beauty salons, and obtained her full cosmetology license in 2021.

Rhona was paired with Tina Oddleifson, business advisor at the Maine SBDC at the University of Southern Maine (USM). The two began by developing a business plan and creating financial projections for her business. This allowed Rhona to apply for financing through CEI’s Wicked Fast loan fund. With Tina’s help, Rhona received a loan that allowed her to lease and equip a new space in Biddeford, opening on Main Street in April 2022. The business specializes in hair styling and coloring, braiding, dreadlocks, hair extensions, facial waxing, brow/lash tinting, lash extensions and lash lifts.

“Don’t be intimidated by the things you don’t know. It’s okay to get comfortable being uncomfortable,” says Rhona. “When you start a business, you’re going to get used to learning to do things that might have never crossed your mind.”

She continues, “I am forever grateful to the Maine SBDC and Christina Oddleifson (my fairy godmother), the best Business Advisor anyone could ever ask for. It feels great knowing as a new small business owner, you always have that support system to run back to with questions and concerns.”