The Evolve Story
We embrace change. Except when it comes to our phone number.
Let’s take a trip back to November 1952…
Diana’s mother, Sandy
That's when twenty-year-old Elinor Sanders purchased Cinderella Beauty Salon on Kickapoo Street in Lincoln, IL.
The phone number was... "6".
The staff consisted of the owner and one other beautician. Elinor, or "Sandy", as she was called, became a sought after beautician because of her attention to detail, encouraging spirit, and quick wit. During this time, Sandy had a daughter named Diana and the salon moved to the Perk Up Store on Pulaski Street.
The phone number became..."2206."
Diana in her mother’s salon
In 1962, the salon moved to Pekin Street. The phone number got an upgrade again.
This time to "732-2206".
Diana had grown up in the salon, and entered cosmetology training right after graduating from 8th grade in 1971. After completing beauty school, she went to work for her mother at Cinderella Beauty Salon. Right after that, Diana had an opportunity to rent a building for her own shop in Elkhart, IL. She also named her business Cinderella Beauty Salon because she loved the name so much!
When Sandy retired, Diana took over and renamed the salon Hair Plus.
After high school graduation, she was able to work full time and concentrate on creating her business model. She invested in a skin care line, learned new styling techniques, and offered facial and waxing to clients in her little town. During that time, she also got married and started a family. When baby number 2 came on the scene, she sold the shop, but continued to work at her mother’s shop on occasion.
Diana had a passion for learning and a desire to stay ahead of the curve with skills and technology.
When her kids were in school and her mother wanted to retire, Diana found a buyer for the Elkhart salon and took over Cinderella Beauty Salon.
1989 - Diana renamed the salon.
but she kept the phone number!
That year, the salon grew to a staff of four stylists and became a full service salon. Needing a new space, the salon moved to its current location at 327 5th Street.
The salon now has a mobile phone - and you can still reach them at 217-732-2206.
“What I've come to realize is learning is important and fun, but sharing knowledge is what really keeps us sharp. My latest evolution is learning even more about what makes me tick and harnessing the power of the knowledge that's been gathered the last 45 years. In 2019, we became Evolve Salon. I have been constantly changing, learning, doing... Evolving! There are incredible opportunities to be taken and shared."
Diana Pickett
Former Owner, Evolve Salon