Wendee Kytola was at a crossroads, ready for a change after working for one employer for 23 years. One weekend during a family visit at her uncle’s house, they were brainstorming about what she might do for the rest of her working days when he piped up: “Hey, I was just reading about this idea — what about picking lice?”
“I thought he was out of his mind!” Kytola says. But the further she explored the topic while developing a business plan, she became convinced. “I realized there was such a need for this. I’ve had more parents tell me they can’t do this. They don’t have the tools and resources. People are looking for a resource to help them battle this inconvenience.”
Name: Wendee Kytola.
Residence city: Hockinson.
Business name: Picky Picky Head Lice Removal, 14602 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, 360-597-3366, Pickypickyllc.com.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Age: 43.
Educational/professional background: I graduated from Prairie High School and Clark College and worked for 23 years at Fred Meyer.
I was still working at Fred Meyer, and had done all the research and had written the business plan for Picky Picky. My idea was to quit Fred Meyer, take a chance and jump in with both feet. I gave notice, cashed in my retirement, and put it all into this business. That was October of 2013. There’s not been one day of regretting the choice; I’m completely 100 percent content.
Personal/business philosophy: Personal — help others. Business — provide an effective and affordable resource for people to look to for help.
Most rewarding part of job: It’s when I am able to help a family who has been battling lice for a period of time and we successfully get rid of it and that child/family walks out with a huge smile on their face thanking me. I talk to the kids, show them the lice, have fun with them, make small talk. I try to take some of the gross stuff out of it to help them put it behind them. I tell them they’re not the only ones; there are other kids with lice.
Most challenging part of job: The children toddler age and younger just don’t understand why they have to sit for so long. And fighting the stigma attached to becoming infected with lice is challenging. I tell parents having lice doesn’t make you dirty. Getting people to understand that is difficult sometimes.
One thing readers might find surprising about your work: There are 25 states in the U.S. that have a super louse that is resistant to the traditional treatments, and Washington is one of those states. The product I use has no pesticides and is not available over the counter at the drug store. It breaks down the louse by its exoskeleton and is effective against the super louse.
One thing you’d like people to know about your work: It’s rewarding. I never thought that it would be as rewarding as it is. Let’s face it: I am picking bugs out of hair. But if a child or adult is sitting there truly disturbed by this thought, and you are able to make them laugh, get past their feelings, and they leave smiling and feeling better, how much more rewarding does it get?
Best feature of my Clark County community: Growth — but even with this growth people are still connected. This area is caring, helpful and family-oriented.
What would make your community a better place: More awareness of those less fortunate and what we can all do to help.
Your favorite travel destination and type: I recently returned from Hawaii and loved it. I love to take car trips.
Favorite restaurant/pub/coffee shop/store: Crave Grill is a great restaurant that I enjoy, and Hearth Coffee in Hockinson, just to name a couple.
Hobbies: Yoga, reading, shopping, summer activities outdoors, and spending time with my family.
Most enjoyable book/play/movie/arts event in past 12 months: Michael Allen Harrison in concert.
Something you’d like to do this year/within five years: Hire more employees and extend hours, open another salon.
One word to describe yourself: Strong.
Person you’d most like to meet: Ellen DeGeneres.
