Looking Good and Feeling Better

Hairy Bean Wig Salon owner Amy Pencola

​BY MATTHEW MERITT

There are some things one might not notice until they’re needed. That’s when Amy Pencola comes in with a little boost for those on a challenging journey.
 
The proprietor of the Hairy Bean Wig Boutique recalls a teenage girl at her Elmira Heights shop. Though cancer and chemotherapy couldn’t quell the young lady’s spirit, it had left her without hair – and it not much seemed to be growing back.

“She was trying on long pink and purple wigs and strutting around the salon like she was on the catwalk – stopping to put a hand on her hip and take a selfie for Snap Chat (a photograph sharing application),” Pencola recalls. 
 
Though the girl liked both colors, her mom reminded her one wig was all she needed. 
 
“She chose the purple and I put in the order and told them it would be in the following week,” Pencola says. “When they came to pick it up I handed her the pink wig too, on me. She was so excited. It filled my heart and made her day.” 
 
Pencola had these unique color selections on hand because she has been patiently building up her inventory since transitioning her hair salon into a wig salon a couple of years ago. But the beginnings of the changeover emerged many years before in an effort to help.
 
“About 20 years or so ago, a (hair salon) client of mine found out she had cancer and would be losing her hair, so she asked me to help her find a wig,” Pencola says. “Some time later, a friend of hers found herself in the same position and I helped her as well. Over the years, it just kind of grew by word- of -mouth.” 
 
Though she knew how to cut and style hair, wigs presented Pencola, herself a cancer survivor, new challenges. “One of the hard parts was finding affordable wigs that didn’t look horrible and cheap. I wanted to get these ladies the best looking wigs for them without spending a small fortune. “
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Lacking formal training, customization was also a hurdle. “Needless to say, I ruined and replaced a couple of wigs in the beginning.”

But Pencola navigated the learning curve as quickly as she could and at the same time built in inventory of nearly 200 wigs. She’s confident most clients can find what’s right for them without having to special order. It’s usual for a person to pick out something she or he likes and, with a little fine tuning on color, have the wig a week later.
 
Pencola says selecting a suitable wig can help a person recovering from the jolt of a tough diagnosis get back on track. “The first visible sign of cancer is the hair loss. It’s devastating for most women and men both, I think because it’s part of who we are. We all have our own look and our hair plays a big part in that. When we look good we feel good.”
 
Among the many things Pencola has learned in her work is how many different types of cancer there are. But she has also seen many examples of resilience, similar to the teen who ended up with two wigs instead of one. 
 
“I’ve had several clients who have battled cancer more than once. Their courage and strength amazes me,” Pencola says. “Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my job is meeting all of the amazing people. I have made lifelong friendships. I am blessed to be able to come to work every day after 35 years and still love what I do.”
 
Tips on Choosing and Wearing a Wig From the American Cancer Society