Bart Rosenstein is unassuming, mild mannered and soft spoken, yet very deliberate in all that he says and does... he's also the moving force behind Studio B, a comfortable oasis of personal hair care for area women of all ages located on Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley.

     I remember the first time I visited Bart. I was there to talk to him about a signature ad featuring one of his "girls." You'd recognize them if you saw them. You know, one of those glamour girls of the forties. I commented how I loved the images he selected, never really asking about his inspiration. (I think I can now guess the source of his love and appreciation of those beauty icons. Perhaps you'll agree as you read on.)

     A home grown kid from the Rhawnhurst section of northeast Philadelphia, he shared how he always wanted to work with "hair." Growing up, he marveled at how a woman's hair could be colored, sculpted and styled into whatever one's imagination would take it. "I used to go with my mother to Stan's Hair Salon on Krewstown Road, in the Krewstown Shopping Center. Back then, Stan's was THE Salon of the most fashionable gals in northeast Philadelphia. I would see how "put together" the clients were and how meticulous their appearance. I fell in love with the whole scenario of hair design, care, cut, color etc. and never really waivered."

     Focused from the beginning, he was certified young and started his professional training in hair salons throughout Center City. He polished his early cutting skills at a friend's shop in the northeast and worked on his coloring techniques at another area salon.

"My work at all these salons gave me the opportunity to work side by side with accomplished hair professionals and helped me master my craft. I worked at the premier salons in northeast Philadelphia, honing my skills and continuing to grow."

     It's clear that Bart was involved in some of the most high-powered, high volume salons in the Philadelphia area including Jenkintown and Center City. How did he settle in Huntingdon Valley? "Working in the stressful environment of those kinds of salons took its toll. It did not help my addictive tendencies. I had to pull back, get healthy and decide what kind of professional (and personal) life I really wanted. Studio B was the result. Huntingdon Valley happened because it was centrally located to my then existing clientele."

     I asked Bart what were some of the "best-things-learned" that he brought and introduced to Studio B after having worked in those different settings? "I've surrounded my clientele with extremely talented hair professionals. They are kind, caring and considerate – all important in providing a service. We are a group of high energy individuals gathered under one roof professionally. We soar together. And we...that is me, of course, but even more, my staff, treats this place like our home. It's not just my home...it's their home too."

     I found it interesting that Bart did not talk about the wonderfully calming environment he's orchestrated. He didn't talk about the most advanced coloring systems, or straightening techniques or any other treatment application that he has introduced. He didn't speak about the terrific cuts by his highly trained staff. He spoke about the personalities at the heart of Studio B, it's soul, if you will. He didn't talk about equipment or even the lovely coffee bar off in the corner. He talked about the "guts" or "innards" of his salon... the people with whom he has surrounded himself.