FORT SMITH - Jamie Therrien obviously doesn't mind working.

In fact, she has three jobs - one of them managing her own business.

Jamie Therrien, who owns and operates Final Touch esthetic and hairstyling salon, recently purchased an intense light therapy machine. It uses laser to remove hair, acne and acne scarring, age spots, capillaries and varicose veins. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Therrien is the owner/operator of Final Touch, an esthetics and hairstyling salon in Fort Smith.

If that is not enough, she is a part-time corrections officer at the Territorial Women's Corrections Centre, and tends bar on weekends.

Therrien opened Final Touch in 2001 when she was just 23, offering facials, pedicures, manicures, waxings and massages.

"I just hoped to have a job and be my own boss," said the now 30-year-old.

The salon started in one room, but has now expanded to four treatment rooms and four workers. It also started offering hairstyling two years ago.

"I don't do the hairdressing," Therrien said. "I do everything else."

Beyond expectations

She said her business has grown far bigger than she could have imagined at the beginning. "It's way beyond what I ever expected it to be."

Therrien said she loves the business.

"I really feel these kinds of treatments make people feel better," she said.

Her clientele includes 200 women and 10 men.

Therrien describes herself as a go-getter. "When I want something, I have to have it. I go and get it."

She got her original training in the field at Marvel Beauty School in Saskatoon and since then has taken a number of courses including one on the salon's latest piece of equipment - an intense light therapy machine.

It uses laser to remove hair, acne and acne scarring, age spots, capillaries and varicose veins.

She hopes to eventually take the laser therapy to Hay River several days a month.

Therrien, who is originally from Whitecourt, Alta., first came to Fort Smith in 1998 to visit a friend and ended up staying.

As for why she works elsewhere even though she has a successful business, Therrien explained it's to help her business.

"I just want to pay everything off quicker," she said, noting loans weigh heavy on her shoulders.

Four years ago, she bought the building containing her business and still owes $45,000 on it, plus she also owes $120,000 for renovations.

But she said she enjoys all her jobs.

Her six days a month working in corrections helps keep her grounded, she noted. "I wouldn't give it up."

While she doesn't care as much for bartending, she does it Friday and Saturday evenings to help out her husband, who owns The Landing lounge.

If her work is not enough to keep her busy, Therrien is also the mother of a two-year-old son.

"It's really hard to balance everything, especially since I've got my boy," she said.