That’s only one facet of Maree’s life. She maintains a strong sense of balance between work, charity and her personal life. Her work ties in wonderfully with her desire to help women in distress. “When a woman is feeling bad, I can quickly change it around and make that woman feel beautiful with a little hair color, a new hairstyle and some makeup. Nothing makes a woman feel better than looking good.”
Three years ago, Maree founded Chicks with a Purpose, an after school program for girls that focuses on physical activities. “We offer athletic training programs to help the girls build self-esteem. There are usually twenty girls in each session. I’ve always been involved in volunteer work and found that many of my friends also wanted to get involved but didn’t know what to do or where to begin. Chicks with a Purpose gives people an opportunity to volunteer in many ways and for many causes.”
Do you have a favorite childhood story? What is it? I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When I was ten years old, I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar. It became my favorite movie and I saw it at least twelve times. I learned all of the music and decided I wanted to do my own production. I got all the neighbor kids involved and told them what to do and I played Mary Magdalene. We performed the play many times in my backyard. It was the first and only time I was an actor.
Tell me a little about your career. I love my career. When I was a child, I hung around my father’s salon and I watched what he did and the relationships he developed. I was so intrigued and interested and always knew that one day I would go into the business. Owning the salon allows me to blend artistry with business. It gives me the opportunity to apply my entrepreneurial spirit every day, either in my daily work or in the charities I support. I retain six hairdressers and have been in business eight years.
What’s important in your life? Balance
What’s in your future? A beautiful blend of family, career, health and sport. I’m single and available with no strings and I’d like to find a mate who is trustworthy, fit, athletic, and passionate about their work and someone that wants to start a family. Hopefully, that’s in my future.
What are your volunteer activities? The American Cancer Society is closest to my heart. I work on a program called “Look Good and Feel Better.” It’s a class held at Denver hospitals for women going through chemotherapy. They are given a kit of makeup and I show them, step by step, how to apply it. They make a connection with other women who are going through the same process. When they leave, they feel so glamorous and beautiful, even though they are going through a very difficult period. If they are too sick to attend a class, they come to the salon after hours and I do whatever they need to perk them up. I also do cut-a-thons, run marathons and participate in other sporting events to raise money for their cause.
I also volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Safe House, Joy House, The American Cancer Society and Girls Inc. Right now, I’m working on “Day of Caring,” a big event, which will be held on May 8th. The event celebrates those living with cancer. Hairpeople will be doing the hair and makeup for the cancer survivors who will be modeling. This year Hairpeople was asked to participate as a major sponsor.
Which social event is your favorite? 5280 Singles event and the Triple By-Pass, a huge 156 mile road-bike race that crosses over Squaw Pass, Loveland Pass and Vail Pass.
Favorite restaurant? Cherry Creek Grill
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? Hillary Clinton. She has a presence that just radiates confidence, beauty, wisdom and strength.
If your life were a movie, whom would you want to play your part? Selma Hayek. I love her cultural flair. She’s independent and her own person and she doesn’t try to fit into any mold.
Do you have any pets?. My cat, Kansas
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner about you? That I liked an intertwining of gothic, antique loving, artful, sensuous, creative and colorful things
What word describes you best? Alive
How would you like others to describe you? Open-minded, special
What was your first job? McDonalds on 6th & Broadway. Service with a smile was the lesson learned. v
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I’m too hard on myself
What trait do you most deplore in others? Unethical
What is your greatest indulgence? Sprinkled sugar cookies from a true Mexican bakery
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Give thanks and then exercise
What’s the last thing you do before bed? Give thanks and then “hit the wall”
Favorite comfort food? Beans and tortillas
Tell me something about yourself that people would be surprised to know about you. I’m scared out of my mind to speak in public, but I do it all the time.
What is the best gift you have ever given? Love
What is the best gift you’ve received? Love
What or who is the greatest love in your life? My mom, dad, sis and nephew
What is your current state of mind? At peace. A spiritual journey receiving each day as it unfolds.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Having the vision to bring women together and seeing the strong yet simple possibilities that can unfold within the group and the ideas that manifest themselves.
What is your most treasured possession? My health
What is the quality you most like in a man? Being trustworthy
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Independence
Favorite books/writers? Deepak Chopra, Ernest Holmes
What is the best advice you have ever received? The choices I make today will have a direct effect on my tomorrow
Do you have a motto? Rather than “holding on,” try “letting go.”
If you could come back in another lifetime, what/who would you like to be? And why? I’d like to be the same person after learning the lessons I learned during this lifetime.
What are your hobbies? Other interests? Triathlon training, weights, spin instructor, running, snowboarding and writing
Who is your mentor? My mom and dad
What would you most like to be remembered for? Being kind
If you could go anywhere and do anything, what would it be? I’m doing it
What do you like about the town you live in? It’s home
