Rankin Inlet (Sep 03/03) - Rankin Inlet's Ashley Dean always seemed to be full of questions whenever she'd visit a hair salon while growing up.

Hairstylist Ashley Dean has opened her Run With Scissors hair salon at the Siniktarvik Hotel in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Her inquisitive nature into the hairstyling vocation may have been an indication of things to come.

These days, the amicable 20-year-old operates her own hair salon right in her own home town.

Dean originally planned to attend the University of Ottawa after completing the 2002 Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in the nation's capital.

A delay in processing her student transcript by Algonquin College, however, led her in a different, if not permanent, career direction.

"I was worried I wouldn't get to attend school in Ottawa, so I applied to Ottawa Academy because I had been told it was the best beauty school in the city," says Dean.

"I was accepted right away for the 10-month course and decided to attend. I guess the interest was always there."

Dean has taken on a one-year lease to operate her Run With Scissors hair salon out of the Siniktarvik Hotel in Rankin.

No matter how well the business does however, once the year is up, she plans to continue chasing her dream of becoming a teacher.

"I'm looking seriously at the Northern Teacher's Education program in Iqaluit because I want to stay in the North and teach in Inuktitut.

"But, I'm also looking at universities in Saskatchewan and Winnipeg because I know they have excellent programs.

"I want to keep my options open."

As for the task at hand, Dean says she has been warmly received by the community since opening her salon on Aug. 6.

She decided on a one-year lease because four or five months just didn't seem long enough to her after the work she put into her hairstyling course.

"The business has been doing well and everyone's been supportive and encouraging.

"I've received a lot of compliments and it seems like everyone's proud of me.

"It feels really good that the community seems to like what I do so much.

"I really appreciate everyone's kind words and all their support."