Joplin Stylist Brings Home Prestigious Salon Suite Décor Award

When Novah Guenther walked into a wide-open second-floor space at 2613 S. Main St. in Joplin, Missouri, two and a half years ago, she saw more than empty walls and warehouse floors. She imagined floor-to-ceiling windows filling the room with sunshine, a cozy atmosphere that would inspire both her and her clients, and a space that could double as a creative studio.

That vision earned her first place in the Salon Suite Décor category at the 2025 #ONESHOT Hair Awards, the largest competition of its kind in the beauty industry.

The #ONESHOT Hair Awards were launched 10 years ago by behindthechair.com, the largest online community for salon professionals. What started as a way to celebrate working hairstylists has grown into the biggest competition in the industry, with more than 2 million entries from over 100 countries. Stylists submit photos of their work through Instagram, and the awards are divided into two tracks: one celebrates the work done daily in salons, and the other highlights artistic, editorial styles often shot in studios. This year’s event took place as part of a four-day gathering in Arlington, Texas, widely considered the largest and most prestigious hair show in the world.

“The salon is beautifully decorated, but for me, it was more than just decorating a room,” Novah said. “My husband and I built it together. We painted through the hottest days in August and brought every detail of the vision to life. It feels like a God thing that I ended up in that space.”  

She gives much of the credit to her husband, Jason Carsley, who built many of the pieces she had imagined and found ways to make her ideas work.

Her win came after placing in the top five in the same category in 2024, making this year’s first-place finish even more meaningful.  

“The response has been overwhelming,” she said. “Clients brought gifts, I had hundreds of congratulations, and new people are reaching out.”

The salon’s name is as personal as the space itself.  

“My husband calls me SugarBum,” Novah laughed. “It was just a cute little name we thought people would remember.”

SugarBum looks and feels different from many salons. While others rely on dark furniture to mask dirt along with wear and tear, her space is light and bright. Cream and white tones create what she describes as an “angelic” atmosphere. Pampas grass frames a round mirror, plush blankets soften the space and natural light fills every corner.  

“I wanted clients to feel bliss when they walked in,” she said. “The pictures show that effort. It looks clean, crisp and a cared-for space created for an experience.”

Novah grew up east of Joplin and attended Class Act One, a cosmetology school that has since closed. Like many stylists, she recalls the early years of her career as intimidating.  

“You come out of school knowing how to pass the test,” she said. “The real learning comes from mentors and continuing education.”  

She has invested heavily in training and events, eventually narrowing her focus to hair extensions.

“It completely changed my career,” Novah said. “Extensions attract clients who value the service, who respect my time and who want the best. They are generous and appreciative, and I love creating that transformation for them.”  

Her work has drawn clients from across the region and beyond, including Kansas City; Columbia, Missouri; Fayetteville, Arkansas; and even Arizona.

In 2024, Novah launched her own line of extension hair, SugarBum Hair. For now, it is exclusive to her salon.  

“My clients are obsessed with it,” she said. “Finding truly high-quality hair is like finding a needle in a haystack. Once I sourced it, I knew I needed to create my own line.”  

She is building inventory with the goal of eventually selling to other stylists. Creating her own line allows Novah to give her clients the same level of care every time, using the highest quality hair she can source.

To Novah, looking good is only part of the picture. Helping clients feel confident is just as important.  

“I want them to feel like they can walk into any room and own it. It’s about being the most beautiful version of yourself on the outside, but also helping people build love for themselves on the inside. I share the tips and tricks I’ve used to get there myself.”

With an international award now under her belt, Novah is already thinking about what comes next. She wants to grow her SugarBum Hair line, build a stronger presence online and eventually have a team around her. Big names on her client list would be a dream, but she is just as focused on creating steady growth close to home.

Speaking of dreams, she has advice for anyone chasing their own: “Don’t listen to what anyone else says. Share your dreams carefully with people who are more successful than you. Those are the ones who will cheer you on. Write down what you want, be specific and sit in the feeling of already having it. Then work toward educating yourself to be that expert.”

For Novah Guenther, that mix of vision, hard work and faith has shaped a corner of downtown Joplin into an award-winning salon. SugarBum is proof of what dedication can build.

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