After 36 years, she’s the boss

Published 7:01 pm Tuesday, February 26, 2019

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It’s never too late to begin something different. Just ask Jamie Lambeth at On the Boulevard Beauty Salon. After working for someone else for 36 years, she decided to take the plunge and go into business for herself.

Several months ago, she was approached by the owners of On the Boulevard, Doug and Stephanie Agerton, about the possibility of selling the place of business to the ladies working in the salon.

“At the time, we couldn’t see where we could do it,” she said. “We were renting the space at the time and just didn’t see where we could do it. Later on Stephanie asked me if I would be interested and the more I thought about it, the better it sounded. They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I thought at my age it was something that could help me think about for my future and would be a good investment.”

The salon is open for business but a big renovation is going on. Painting, new flooring, new baseboards and a remodeling of the boardwalk itself will be done before the renovations are over.

In the meantime it is business as usual. There are five women renting the space and they are all staying on for the move.

Lambeth was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Miss. and graduated from Hattiesburg High School, although she did attend T.R. Miller High School for a number of years.

After graduating from high school, Lambeth attended Jefferson Davis Community College for one quarter before entering Reid Street Technical College in Evergreen. She graduated in 1981 with a degree in cosmetology and went to work with Ellie Hammac at Ellie’s Salon. She worked there for 17 years before she went to The Country Shop in 2000, which is now On The Boulevard, and she has been there for 19 years.

Not only does Lambeth work at the salon. She devotes every Tuesday to the residents of The Meadows. She spends the day at the assisted living facility.

“They seem to enjoy the little bit of attention that I give them, and I love elderly people.” she said. “I have been doing their hair for five years and before that I went to West Gate Nursing Home.”

Additionally, she has two children Christopher Steele and Sarah Steele. Christopher is married to Bridget Beverly and they have one child, Ryland. Sarah is married to Antonio Brooks, and they have one child, Jameson.

In 2012, her husband died and in 2014 married Charles Lambeth (J.R.) and has three step-children, Savannah, Brianna and Jayda.