©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Maureen Werther
Reading Autumn Wright’s resume before visiting her hair and beauty salon, one might have a hard time believing that she is a licensed cosmetologist.
This Marine Corps veteran, who specialized in driving 22.5- ton hydraulic trucks in Iraq, also loves doing hair and makeup and does so at Seraphina Divine Beauty in Ballston Spa.
After graduating from Ballston Spa High School in 2005, Wright enrolled in the Marine Corps. As she headed out to boot camp, the former high school cheerleader’s parents didn’t think she would last more than a week.
Wright proved her parents wrong and spent four years serving her country. During her time in the military, she served a tour of duty in Iraq, where she was a specialist in logistical vehicle systems, a job that required controlling traffic points during bomb searches at the Syrian border.
After Wright returned to civilian life she decided to pursue cosmetology. Having grown up in Ballston Spa and with her family still in the area, Wright decided to return and open a business in the village.
Initially, Seraphina Divine Beauty was located on Milton Avenue. The space proved to be too big for her needs and when a location recently opened over on Art Alley, just off Washington Street, Wright took the opportunity to relocate.
Seraphina Divine Beauty has been open at its new location since Oct. 1.
Seraphina Divine Beauty offers haircuts, coloring and styling, and Wright specializes in styling hair for weddings and other special events. She also loves doing makeup and, in addition to doing makeup for individual clients, she also offers classes in makeup techniques.
“There are definitely two sides to my personality,” said Wright. She has photos of her time in Iraq and she recalled that she would turn over two barrels or cartons and turn them into a makeshift salon, where she would give manicures and hand massages in between driving trucks and directing traffic.
“I love what I do here and I’ve been extremely busy,” said Wright.
A lot of her business comes from being a long-time member of the community and most people have heard of her new shop “through the grapevine,” she said.
For more information or to schedule an appointment at Seraphina Divine Beauty, contact Wright at 362-6991.