By EMILY HALL
ehall@northkitsapherald.com

POULSBO — Sheri Bockelie is celebrating 25 years as owner of the Poulsbo Gallery of Hair Design, in the Poulsbo Village Shopping Center.

In early 1990, the salon’s owner decided to downsize from two salons to one, and to sell the Poulsbo Village salon so she could focus on the salon in Port Orchard.

This provided Bockelie, who joined the salon in 1985, with a chance to fulfill her dream of owning her own salon.

Her decision paid off. Business grew in the 1990s and 2000s; with more customers came the expansion of its hair product line, to include Redken, Paul Mitchell, and American Crew.

The gallery offers many services, including but not limited to: wedding and prom updos, facial waxing, haircuts for men and women, perms, and coloring services.

In 2005, the gallery was remodeled.

This year, Bockelie had the opportunity to attend a hair show in Cancun, Mexico, where stylists nationwide convened to exchange the latest and greatest updates of the hairstyling industry; from new styling techniques to the most exclusive of hair products. It was there that she and her colleagues met rapper “Flo-Rida” — and even took a “selfie” with him.

Bockelie has had numerous “highlights” in her hairstyling career. She says that her favorite part about working at the gallery is that she gets to meet new people and learn about their experiences.

She said she values feedback from her clients and coworkers.

Bockelie enjoys giving back to the community as a volunteer with the Central Kitsap Food Bank. She has also been a regular volunteer with Project Connect at the Sheridan Park Community Center, giving haircuts to people who are homeless or low-income.