Rita L. Lewis

Salon Owner / Master Stylist

Jennifer Siracusa

Master Stylist / Education Coordinator

About: I am a 30 year old Christian native of Gaston County , growing up in Bessemer City . I have been married to my husband, Brent for 6 years now and we have a beautiful 3 year old daughter, Olivia Grace. We also have 2 crazy but wonderful dogs, Gandy and Lilly. I love to hang out with our family and friends and I really enjoy making people laugh. My favorite job is being a mommy!!! My second favorite job in being a stylist. I never thought that I would take this path for my career but I am so thankful I did. It is such a wonderful thing to get to help someone feel better about themselves. Even more thankful that I was lucky enough to find Bangz Salon to call my home. I feel so blessed and thankful!

Education: I graduated from Bessemer City high school in 2000 and went to Gaston College with the hopes of becoming a nurse. I was there for about 2 months and realized that I was not cut out for that line of work, so I decided to give hair a chance. Loving the flexibility that came with it and the short 1 year school time, and the fact that I would still be of service to others, I went to Empire Beauty school.

AVEDA training: Color 1, 2, & 3; Advanced Color Correction; Advanced Foiling Placement; Pure Form Cutting; Pure Foiling; Seasonal Trends Class (color) since 2003; Head Mapping Foiling System; Smooth Infusion Retexturing System; Aveda Congress.

Years in the industry: 9 ½ years

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: 9 years

My Passion: My family! My daughter and my husband are my world!

Favorite Place to shop: The Express, but I do love Coach bags too! As long as I don’t have to dig for what I’m looking for, I’m good!

Favorite Vacation spot: Anywhere that has a beach and a beautiful blue sky! I’m always up for new places to visit!

Favorite Phrase or quote: “It is what it is”,… “It’s better to be hated for what you are, then to be loved for what your not” ­­–Marilyn Monroe

One thing I can not live with out: Well, let me just say that I definitely could not live without God or my family! BUT ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you that I am a huge lover of TV and music! I would be so sad without either of them!

James Summey

Master Stylist / Assistant Education Coordinator

About: I enjoy candlelight dinners and long walks on the beach….not really! I do enjoy music, books, T.V/movies. When it comes to music, I enjoy playing my drums, listening to CD’s and records. I especially enjoy going out to hear live performances. Movies, I love action, comedy, Drama and horror. I even enjoy silent and independent films. I love to read Classics, new fiction, history, theology and anything that is self edifying..…so if you like pina-coladas and walking in the rain, call me.

Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, Associates Degree in Applied Science. Graduate of Carolina Academy, a Paul Mitchell partner school—Gastonia, NC. I have had the privilege of serving along side Vivian McKinder—NAHA award winner and Vidal Sassoon Artistic Director. I was a part of the Hair and Make-up team for the Carolina Panthers’ Top Cats dance team.

AVEDA Training: Experiencing Aveda; Color 1, 2 & 3; Pure Form Cutting; Seasonal Trends (Cutting); Head Mapping Foiling System; Smooth Infusion Retexturing System; Hair Cutting Trends

Years in the industry: 10 years

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: 6 years

Strengths: Cutting and Finishing (Round brush styling and smoothing)

My Passion: LIFE, getting to do what I love…HAIR!

Favorite Place to shop: Where ever I can get a bargain…I love getting a good deal.

Favorite Vacation spot: Any place I can fly to or go to in a book.

Favorite Phrase or quote: I have many, but professionally, this is my favorite quote. “Successful people do the things unsuccessful people do not want to do.”—Eric Fisher

What is one thing you can not live with out: Music

Jennifer Aguirre (Jenny)

Senior Stylist

About: I came to Bangz while I was still in beauty school. I mentored with Bangz until I graduated, at which time I became one of Bangz New Talent. After graduating, I completed 2 semesters at Gaston College for Nursing, at which time I realized I was doing what I thought was expected of me not what I had a passion for. I enjoyed making others feel beautiful. As a young girl my Grandma always said “Your going to be a hairdresser” because I was always working on my dolls and my families hair. I loved the way I felt of value to someone when I had helped them to feel good about themselves. This industry allows us to touch and be touched by others. So I decided to attend Empire Beauty School.

Education: Empire Beauty School, graduated 2006

AVEDA training: Color 1, 2 & 3; Color solutions and Color systems; Pureform Hair cutting; Smooth Infusion Retexturizing systems. Assist with in-salon training for New Talent

Years in the Industry: 5 years

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: 5 years

My Passion: Being a “Mom”

Favorite Place to shop: The mall

Favorite Vacation spot: Anywhere near a beach

Favorite Phrase or quote: “Live each day like it were your last”

One thing I can not live with out: My family and friends! They are the only things that really matter to me!

Lauren Foster

Guest Services

About: As a Southern, homegrown, North Carolina girl, I call Belmont my hometown. Since I was a little girl, I loved anything to do with hair and dressing up. My baby dolls and Barbies were my guinea pigs. As I grew, my passion for the industry increased. I came to know Bangz through my grandmother, who had been a guest of Rita’s for many years. I have countless memories of her talking about her regular visits to the salon. It was the highlight of her week! I am pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree, concentration in Interior Design, with a minor in Business. Upon graduation in December 2011, I plan to attend the Aveda Institute to obtain my cosmetology license.  Working part-time at Bangz Salon Spa while attending college has given me experience and insight in the salon industry

Education: Graduated from South Point High School 2008, Belmont, NC

Bachelor of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences with a specialization in Interior Design and a minor in Business (December 2011, Liberty University)

Experience in the industry: Three years

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: Three years

Passion: My passions lie in helping and encouraging people. Being creative by nature, I delight in opportunities to enhance beauty. Hair and make-up are so personal. At Bangz we all find joy in helping people feel beautiful with just the right color/cut/style or make-up application.

Favorite Place to shop: Lucky Brand and Pottery Barn

Favorite Vacation spot: Charleston, SC

Favorite Phrase or quote: “Smile, it enhances your face value”. –Dolly Parton

What is one thing you cannot live with out: It is difficult to choose just one. My faith is most important, yet my family is a close second.

Tony Galliher

Junior Associate Stylist / Front Desk Coorinator

About: I began my career at Bangz, as a newly enrolled Cosmetology student. I began mentoring with Bangz in my third week of studies and was offered a position with five months of school to be completed. I also brought with me twenty years of Management experience, most recently restaurant and also including textile. I had wanted to go into Cosmetology after my high school career, but I waited twenty plus years before that would become a reality for me. Thanks to encouragement and support of my partner of eighteen years; John, I was able to make that dream a reality.

Education: Paul Mitchell the School Gastonia
A.A.S. Business Administration Mitchell Community College

Aveda Education: Color 1 & 2; Head Mapping Foiling System; Smooth Infusion Retuxturing System

Years in the Industry: 2 + years

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: 1 + years full time, 2 + years part-time

My Passion: Customer Satisfaction

Favorite Place to shop: anywhere I’m vacationing

Favorite Vacation spot: Key West

Favorite Phrase or quote: “Don’t commit to something you cannot complete”

One thing I cannot live without: A good laugh with a good friend and a good cocktail!

Ashley Parham

New Talent Stylist

About: I came to Bangz as recent Paul Mitchell graduate. I have a passion for the industry and for helping people feel beautiful. I love color and my creative ability shows in my up-do’s. After graduating Clover High in 2003, I became involved in the Jaycees, where I held many leadership roles. I thoroughly enjoy volunteering and helping my community. I love “fun” and can be found singing and dancing my way throughout the salon.

Education: Paul Mitchell the School Gastonia

Aveda Education: Color 1 & 2; Head Mapping Foiling System; Smooth Infusion Retexturing System; Hair Cutting Trends

Years in the industry: 1 Year

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: 1 Year

My Passion: Helping people feel beautiful

Favorite Place to shop: Boutique shops that have great deals

Favorite Vacation spot: Anywhere with a beach and sunshine

Favorite Phrase or quote: "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." – Marilyn Monroe

One thing I cannot live without: Sunshine!

LaVonda Webster

Esthetician / Nail Technician / Make-up Artist / Aveda Spa Coach

About: I am a person who loves to smile, laugh, travel, have fun and give back. I pride myself in making lasting relationships through my work and co-workers.

Education: Creative Images Beauty School and Aveda Training

Experience in the industry: 13 years

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: September 2011

My Passion: Teaching and encouraging people to their fullest potential.

Favorite Place to shop: Shoe stores

Favorite Vacation spot: The beach

Favorite Phrase or quote: “My Pleasure”

What is one thing you cannot live with out: Hugs and kisses from my grand girls.

Rachel Guffey

Salon Manager

About: Originally from New York, NY, I moved to Gastonia in 1990 at the onset of my high school career. I met Rita at Faces of Color Full Service Salon where I worked as a front desk coordinator/receptionist. I also occasionally worked as a make-up artist, mainly during prom season when it got really busy. I ended up moving back to NY when I was 19 and began attending Baruch College in Manhattan part-time. My background is in management, budgeting, appropriating funds, estimating and administration. I returned to Gastonia in September of 2006 after meeting the man I would eventually marry. I am now 33, happily married for the past three years to Jimmy, and a proud mother to 10 week old Logan Magdalena. I am so happy to be back in the beauty industry, as it is my first love.

Education: Graduate of Ashbrook High School – Gastonia, NC
Baruch College – NY, NY where I was working towards a degree in business communication

Years in the Industry: just starting out

How long with Bangz Salon Spa: August 2011

Strengths: Strong organizational and administrative skills, get along great with almost anyone, and I always approach a situation with a positive attitude.

My Passion: Singing. I sing in my church choir. My baby girl and my marriage. I love, love, love my daughter and husband so much it hurts.

Favorite place to shop: Anyplace I can afford.

Favorite vacation spot: Maui, Hawaii

Favorite Phrase or Quote: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.” –God (Jer. 29:11)

One thing I can not live without: God, Jimmy and Logan. Okay, that’s three things.