Studio 3 Salon is introducing its new wig department to help others look their best

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Studio 3 Salon’s new wig department, inspired by Sherry Valenti (center photo), offers clients suffering from hair loss a private, morale-boosting opportunity to shine on. Shown here are owners Rachelle Yarnell (left), and Shannon Valenti (Sherry’s daughter). (Photography: Felicia Vargo)

By Patricia Nugent

Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away. For those of us who celebrate our moms in spirit only, I want to share a sweet and inspirational story about the uplifting power of legacy and one mom’s enduring love.

Local salon owner Rachelle Yarnell had been seeing Shannon Valenti and her mom Sherry as clients for years when she found out Sherry was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“Cancer turns your life upside-down,” says Shannon. “The day we learned my mom had cancer, all the problems I had in a moment were irrelevant. There was this one huge problem now and with it came a ton of others. Having it affect how you feel, your mindset, your looks, your relationships and more, is all-consuming.”

As a mother of four and grandmother of six, Sherry was known for a lot of things, such as loving her family in ways big and small, and acting as hostess with the mostest at every holiday. Being a hairstylist was only one of Sherry’s myriad talents. Owning two salons, one in Parma and one in Garfield Heights, was particularly rewarding, and she did people’s hair in her home long after they closed. She achieved success in whatever she did.

Sherry fought like a champion until the end came in 2019.

In addition to wigs, hair, nails, skin, makeup and massage, the ladies at Studio 3 Salon have just introduced specialty services perfect for springtime, such as spray tanning and eyelash extensions.

Look Your Best, Feel Better
“After the cancer treatment had left her in need of a wig, Mom had trouble finding natural-looking wigs that were well made,” says Shannon. “That’s why we wanted to be a full-service wig salon.”

Although Shannon is not a hairstylist, when the location for a salon in Strongsville became available last year, both she and Rachelle saw this as a great way to honor her mom by opening a new place. As a result, Studio 3 Salon in Strongsville was born.

Says Shannon, “Hers was a fearless and indomitable spirit, and I see it living on today at Studio 3. Our new wig department is in her honor. My mom was a person who always prided herself on looking polished. We make confidential and dignified consultations possible and help people—some suffering like she did—also look their polished best.”

“Helping people feel a little better and look better helps their soul so they can fight this awful disease. People shouldn’t have to look as hard as my mom did for beautiful wigs. We are here to make this part easy for them so they can focus on healing,” says Shannon.

Buy Online, Style In-Studio
This month, the ladies are launching a variety of wigs available for purchase on their website. People can choose from many different styles, in wigs to fit any budget, from synthetic strands to human hair to a hybrid of both.

“Our team is specially trained to fit a wig to a person’s unique head size and shape,” says Rachelle. “Within our fully equipped private wig studio, we can cut and style it to bring out their best and maintain it afterward as well.”

In honor of Sherry’s courage throughout her journey, for anyone who buys a wig from their website who is suffering from cancer, Rachelle or someone else on their team who works with wigs will do the cutting and styling for free to make it natural-looking and lovely.

“In celebration of our moms, either in spirit or with us today, come to the salon for some time to relax and remember,” says Rachelle. “We look forward to pampering you.”

Studio 3 Salon is located at 19820 West 130th Street in Strongsville. The full-service salon offers hair, nails, skin, massage, makeup, spray tanning and eyelash extensions, in addition to wigs. Call 440-638-4300 or visit Studio3SalonAndSpa.com for more information.