Pamela McNair-Wingate opened the first Gadabout Salon in 1979 with a staff of eight in an 800-square-feet space. Today, the Tucson-based, family-owned Gadabout brand is an award-winning business including five salon locations, two VerVe locations, and the Salon at the Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Center. On March 6, the Gadabout and VerVe team will celebrate more than three decade’s worth of dedicated employees, while offering a unique opportunity to elevate education for beauty professionals throughout Tucson.

The Unity Team Celebration is a unique event that will elevate the beauty profession throughout the region. “The teams at Gadabout SalonSpas and our sister brand, VerVe Salons, believe in being active not only in the community, but also in the beauty industry,” says Gadabout SalonSpas Co-President Jana Westerbeke. “I’m proud our teams have first-hand knowledge of industry standards & practices; we want to spread that knowledge throughout the region. The Unity Team Celebration gives us the opportunity to show students what’s possible in the beauty industry, while inspiring them to be kind people.”

Held at the Pavilion Westin La Paloma, the invitation-only event will include the who’s who of Tucson’s beauty scene. Attendees will include directors, educators and top students from area beauty schools and leaders of charity organizations such as The Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson and Habitat for Humanity. Hair industry icon Winn Claybaugh, dean and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools, will present alongside inspirational speaker and comedian Kathy Buckley.  
Fourteen team members will be honored for receiving “excellence” status with Gadabout, while those who have been on board for 10 years or more will be recognized. “We have 14 employees who have been with the brand for more than 30 years, 33 for more than 20 years, 69 people have worked with us for 15+ years and 117 employees are at the decade mark. That retention rate is such a testament to the family culture created at Gadabout and Verve. We pass that commitment to excellence onto our clients and community,” adds Westerbeke.  

Those at the 30-year mark will have a choice of custom Gadabout cowboy boots (pictured) or a diamond-embellished piece of jewelry. “In addition to gifts at specific decades, each year beginning with year 10, the team is enrolled in a profit-sharing plan. At the Unity Team Celebration, we give out checks for specific amounts based on longevity. Our 10-year team members are also enrolled in two insurance plans that Gadabout pays 100 percent,” adds Gadabout SalonSpas Co-President Frank Westerbeke.

About Gadabout SalonSpas:Gadabout SalonSpas is a family-owned and -operated salon celebrating more three decades in business. Gadabout is committed to the Tucson community in both personal service and by giving back to numerous charitable causes. For more information, visit gadabout.com.