Bothell's Bollinger is up for Women Business Owners 'Nellie' award

Barbara Bollinger of Bothell's Senior Salons has been named one of the five finalists in the 2010 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Awards Competition, which is presented by the Women Business Owners (WBO), Puget Sound's leading organization for women entrepreneurs.

Bollinger’s first job after attaining her license was in a beauty salon with a largely senior clientele. After four years, she opened her own salon, which she later sold to build another in her home so she could raise her children while continuing an active business.

In 1998, Bollinger opened her first senior salon, in an assisted-living community that had been built down the street, and rediscovered the enjoyment she had found working with seniors in her very first job.

When a back injury forced her out of hair styling, Bollinger decided to take on more salons and hire staff to provide a unique service — hair care exclusively for seniors.

Senior Salons now has a staff of 35 and growing, plus a management team of three, serving more than 1,500 residents in 34-plus salons in senior communities in the greater Seattle area.

A wife and mother of three teenagers, Bollinger is an active, enthusiastic PTA member and double PTA Golden Apple and Golden Acorn recipient. She is also a volunteer and leader in her community, in the Northshore Girls Slowpitch Softball Association, Cedar Park Christian School and Evergreen Community Church in Bothell.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Nellie Cashman ("The Nellie") award competition, which recognizes and honors women business owners who have enhanced the status of women entrepreneurs through their vision, perseverance and fearless, relentless leadership in business and the community. To qualify, a nominee must own at least 51 percent of the business, gross more than $1 million in annual revenue and have three or more employees.

Candidates for "The Nellie" are judged based on their entrepreneurial spirit, ethics and community spirit, financial and management skills, and the difficulty and risk they have endured to achieve their success.

The winner will be announced at a gala awards banquet Oct. 14 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Meeghan Black, host of Evening Magazine, will preside over the ceremonies.

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