Felida hair salon makes charity stylish

Grant Whitney has cut, colored and styled hair since 2001. In 2016, he opened Studio V in Felida. Since then, Studio V has won accolades as Clark County’s best hair salon.

Whitney wants to leverage his business’ success in the world of appearances for a deeper cause.

“Our industry, although necessary, can be seen as superficial,” Whitney said. “There’s a stigma that you’re lost in this world of fashion and glamour and looks. But the people who work at this salon are very community-driven. They have big hearts and they care about other issues.”

So last year, his salon offered an evening of hair shine treatments (along with nibbles and wine) called Sip and Shine. That event raised $9,000 for the Pink Lemonade Project, a nonprofit organization that supports breast cancer patients and survivors.

He and his team of 13 stylists will again donate their time to host Sip and Shine. This year’s event, from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 17, will raise money for Shared Hope International, the nonprofit founded by former Congresswoman Linda Smith to put an end to sex trafficking.

Advance reservations are required. For $50, participants receive a hair shine treatment and styling, a gift bag, food and wine. Anyone can participate in a silent auction that will run all day.

Whitney hopes to raise $10,000 this year. He’s optimistic because the effort already received a boost from Auto License Services, a family-owned licensing subagent, which sent a check for $4,000.

Skin and Tonics Laser Center in Vancouver has offered skin treatments and discounts on Botox injections for the silent auction.

He said he’d like to make the fundraiser an annual event.

“Not everyone can have a job where they’re saving the world like Shared Hope International,” Whitney said, “but we can use our influence in a good way.”