LeAnn Bartholow has a lot to be thankful for. “I have grown to appreciate the road that has led me to where I am today,” she says. “I was raised on a farm just a few miles from DeSmet, with my mom, dad and two sisters. I loved being outside helping my dad with the cattle and still do till this day.”
After high school LeAnn went to college for a year and decided the next year to attend LATI to become a cosmetologist. “Starting out as a cosmetologist is never easy,” LeAnn said. “I worked at the Huron Vet Clinic and did some coaching. As my clientele grew, I was able to focus on being a full-time stylist.”
She has now been in the industry for 18 years. Of those 18 years, all but 1 year I have been self-employed. LeAnn opened her own business, Escape Salon and Spa, 3 ½ years ago. “Over the years, I have learned it is more than just about the hair,” she said. It is about making personal connections with your clients. Helping them through life’s trials and celebrating life’s achievements. It is about helping my client find their beauty, inside and out.”
LeAnn is married to Mike Bartholow, President of Asphalt Paving and Materials Co. They have three children, Ethan 11, Addison 8, and Max 5; they all attend James Valley Christian School. When she isn’t working, LeAnn enjoys coaching her kids in sports and being part of some really great community outreach projects.