RYE, COLORADO
Her mother knew that Stephanie Raleigh would grow up to cut hair. She knew it because when Stephanie was a little girl she cut her own hair and hid the evidence in her crayon boxes.
“I’ve always enjoyed cutting hair,” shared Raleigh. She also has her cosmetology license. “I fell in love with it.”
For Raleigh, in addition to her profession, she loves meeting new people. “I meet so many interesting people,” Raleigh shares. “I find out about their lives, and their children and their background and we begin to build a relationship. Eventually, you build trust with other people. It’s really fun.” Raleigh smiles, “At night my husband asks me, ‘who did you meet today?’” Raleigh has been working at Just Cuts for several months on the days that business owner Michelle Martin takes off. She and her family moved to Rye on November 1, 2021. Her husband, Ryan, works for the BNSF Railroad and has done so for over five years. They transferred from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Raleigh was born and raised.
They have two children: Nicholas,12, who goes to Craver Middle School; and Grace, six, who is at Rye Elementary. Raleigh says that her children have adjusted to the move very well because of the friendly, welcoming people in the Rye/Colorado City area.
“It’s been a great experience so far,” she enthusiastically shared.
When Ryan and Stephanie aren’t working, chances are you’ll find them outdoors near water. Stephanie also enjoys going to Colorado Springs to see family, or working on projects at their home.
Although Raleigh offers only traditional, $10 haircuts for walk-ins on Tuesday and Wednesday, she has a deal with owner Martin that she can expand the services to include color and highlights, shampoo and blow drying when the shop would normally be closed. Those services are on an appointmentonly basis, and must be set up via Raleigh’s cell phone (505) 720-9654.
“I’m hoping to build a clientele,” shared Raleigh. “I would love to eventually establish my own business and I’m grateful to Michelle for this opportunity.”
Just Cuts is open Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Raleigh works on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Martin works on Thursday and Friday, walk-in only, no appointments. Just Cuts is located at 2113 Main St., Suite B, in Rye. The phone number for the shop is (719) 489-2121.
Licensed in both cosmetology and as a barber for over 13 years, Raleigh has only one thing she doesn’t like about her profession: she hates it when there’s no work. She knows she has to be patient, but would rather be meeting another interesting person and building another relationship. And, oh yes, she hasn’t hidden cut hair in a crayon box for a long time.