Above: Karen Toti of Karen’s Hair Design holds her award for being Portsmouth Business of the Year.
PORTSMOUTH — Karen’s Hair Design, owned by Karen Toti, was named Portsmouth Business of the Year by the Portsmouth Business Association (PBA) during its annual meeting Wednesday.
Ms. Toti is a longtime member of the local business community and former PBA president. She was honored with commemorative items from the PBA, the Portsmouth Rotary Club, the Town of Portsmouth as well as citations from the Rhode Island Senate and House.
“Karen is a good example of the entrepreneurial spirit required to start and run a successful small business,” said PBS President John C. Farley during the meeting, held at Green Valley Country Club.
Ms. Toti, a native of Aquidneck Island, started working in the business over 30 years ago from a chair in the former JC Penny store in Newport.
Karen’s Hair Design, at 3357 East Main Road, has an extensive history of supporting a variety of community organizations including Relay for Life, Portsmouth Police, Pawswatch Animal Rescue, Portsmouth Rotary and Lucy’s Hearth.
Additionally, Ms. Toti has donated her personal time by judging senior projects at Portsmouth High School, mentoring aspiring hair stylist students, and serving as president of the PBA from 2011 to 2013.
“While Karen was doing all this for the community, her salon business has continued to grow,” stated the PBA in a press release. “She is known to run a very clean, friendly, and efficient shop accommodating her customers with high business standards.”
The Portsmouth Business of the Year award is given to a business, organization or professional and/or its owner and operator which exemplify the goals and principles of the Rotary Club and the PBA through demonstrated civic service, good standing and reputation in the community.
Elections held
During the meeting, the association members elected the following officers:
• President: Sheila Hagen, BankNewport
• Vice president: Stephen Squatrito, Atria Aquidneck Place
• Secretary: Jeannie S. Ingraham, Century 21 Trend Realty
• Treasurer: Kara M. Marley, Savings Institute Bank & Trust
The PBA also elected board members at large: Linda Bombach, Home Healthsmith; Cheryl Costa, People’s Credit Union; John Farley, Newport Wealth Management; Maggie Harnett, Greenvale Vineyards; Mike Leverett, Clements’ Marketplace; John Vitkevich, Park Avenue Development & Construction; and Mike Ford, Ford & Messere.
Mr. Farley stepped down after his two-year term as president came to an end. He left a significant impact on the organization, according to the PBA, by developing and coordinating the association’s first community 5K run/walk to raise funds for the PBA’s Scholarship Fund. During his time as president the PBA increased its scholarship award to $1,000 and currently awards two of these grants to exceptional seniors graduating from Portsmouth High School.
“These past two years have been very rewarding in terms of the work we’ve been able to do and how it’s deepened my connection to the Portsmouth community. I am proud of our town and I’m excited to see what more we can do together,” said Mr. Farley.
For more information about the PBA visit www.portsmouthbiz.com.