CONCORD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — An Ohio cancer survivor, mother, and nail technician says she’s found her calling by helping others who may be struggling or unable to safely leave their home.
What You Need To Know
- A Cleveland-area cancer survivor, mother, and nail technician started “Salon 2 You” roughly two years ago
- “Salon 2 You” provides intimate, at-home nail services for people who cannot leave their home
- Coronavirus inspired the owner to now also sell custom press-on nails online
“It’s just perfect,” said Sue Radovanic. It’s a girl’s day every two weeks at the Radovanic household. Mani-pedis for all at home, thanks to Breeonne Reed, who owns a Cleveland-based business called “Salon 2 You,” but for these women, it’s so much more than a manicure.
“It is,” Reed said. “I’m even like getting like teary-eyed because it is. It’s so much more, like she’s not just a client to me. She’s not even just a friend to me. It’s so much more.”
“It’s a great relationship, not just a business relationship, but a friend relationship too,” said Radovanic.
Radovanic’s husband, Mike, is disabled. The couple has been married nearly four decades.
“Mike is a Purple Heart Vietnam vet and about 22 years ago, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and he was given three to eight years to live and here we are still,” she said.
Sue is now retired and is Mike’s main caretaker. She’s only able to leave the house a few hours a week and having this at-home nail service is crucial.
“One thing that I really enjoy is getting my nails done and so now it opens up other hours that people are here watching him, that I can do other things because we’re here with him,” said Radovanic.
Radovanic and Reed share a special bond.
“From the moment that I met Sue, we had, like this crazy connection. I felt like, literally, I felt like God put her in my life for a reason. She’s such a giving woman. She is one of the purest people I think I’ve ever met. She’s constantly doing, she’s constantly giving, she’s constantly moving, and like for me to come and do this for her, like, she doesn’t know how much that means to me,” said Reed.
Part of the reason Reed loves helping others is because she’s had her own set of personal hardships and triumphs. She’s a two-time cancer survivor.
“I had a huge tumor that crushed my left lung. They removed the lung. Now I have one lung. And the last time the tumor attached to my ribs. So they took out two of my lower ribs and the tumor. I always look at cancer as a blessing in disguise. It forced me to sit in where I was and change, and look at who I was, who was in my life, what I was doing, and change it around,” said Reed.
The licensed nail technician and mother worked in a salon for seven years before starting Salon 2 You.
A recent cancer-related surgery and then coronavirus cancelled all appointments for months. But Reed’s creativity kicked in. She now sells custom press-on nails online, in addition to providing intimate at-home services for people from all walks of life, including others battling cancer.
“Helping the people that really need help the most,” she said.
Reed says she’s found her purpose and is leading a fulfilling life through her work.
“I’ve cried with my clients. We laugh all the time. It’s so much different being one-on-one with no one else really surrounding us but their loved ones and I love being that comfort for people,” she said.
