2025 Business Spotlights

Coming Soon!

 

January Business Spotlight 

 

Embracing Self-Love and Natural Beauty at A Curl's Best Friend

 

 

Upon stepping through the front doors of A Curl’s Best Friend, one will be immediately pleased to emerge into a welcoming atmosphere with intentionally curated décor. The comfy living room and private styling rooms explain very quickly that this is no ordinary salon --- and owner Cindy Latter and her stylists Deanna Holper and Madi Rashidian are no ordinary hairdressers.

A Curl’s Best Friend was founded to fill the glaring blind spot that is the lack of curly hair products, education, and understanding in the beauty industry. As explained by owner Cindy Latter, curly hair comes in all shapes, sizes, and shades and yet many salons are ill-equipped to style it properly. In fact, many hairstylists may choose instead to straighten out or apply harmful products to curly hair. This status quo arises from the societal standard that straight hair is desirable whereas curly hair is something to be ashamed of. Negative portrayals of curly hair in the media and bullying by peers only serves to reinforce this sentiment. For that reason, A Curl’s Best Friend has become a therapeutic safe space for those with curly hair; a long-awaited refuge for the bullied to hear that natural is beautiful.

A Curl’s Best Friend also goes beyond just making their clients feel special but delivers incredible results with all-natural products and life-long education. An appointment with Cindy and her stylists involves far more than just a haircut. To prove their dedication to healthy hair, each client is taught the best methods for styling at home and given a “prescription” of products to use to achieve the results they desire. This methodology is clearly effective; baggies of hair products primed for pickup lay in piles by the counter and the salon’s calendar is overflowing with follow-ups and check-ins. Cindy and her team are even willing to help the most extreme of cases, once styling a client for over ten hours (with shaving one’s head and giving up never even being an option)!

 

 

 

 

 

One should not, however, assume that the products in these “prescriptions” are as ordinary as any other salon’s. As Cindy notes, an overwhelming supply of beauty products and a deluge of advertisements have left many confused as to what to use on their own hair. Even worse, the beauty industry, as Cindy sees it, is saturated with “dirty” products that are not only ill-suited for curly hair, but could lead to long-term damage for any user. Thus, A Curl’s Best Friend prides themselves on only using the best in natural hair care, namely in the form of Innersense products. Started out of a need for beauty products for a skin-sensitive daughter, Innersense offers a wide range of hair care designed specifically for those with curly hair; a revolution in hairdressing. With simple and clean products, Cindy knows that she is making a positive impact not just on her clients, but the local environment.

For these reasons among many others, it is clear why A Curl’s Best Friend has a dedicated and expanding list of clientele that has been able to expand naturally since its inception. The salon even has a few clients who have been with Cindy throughout her nearly 36 years of professional hairdressing experience; ready to follow her wherever she goes. And now, with Deanna and Madi, A Curl’s Best Friend stands ready to teach future generations how to not only care for curly hair, but love it too.

 

Please enjoy the personal testimonies of the hairdressers at a Curl’s Best Friend:

 

“Curly hair is something I didn’t know I needed in my life, but it has shaped me both as a hairstylist and in how I see myself every day. For most of my 14 years in this profession, I thought my hair was just puffy and frizzy, relying on flat irons and chemical treatments to feel “put together,” while offering those same services to my clients. After having my daughter and struggling with scalp issues, I switched to products with more natural ingredients, and my hair came to life—it wasn’t just puffy; it was curly! This exciting change opened up a whole new world in the industry that I didn’t know existed. Meeting Cindy, a curly hair specialist with 18 years of experience, changed everything. Cindy became my mentor, greatest supporter, and dearest friend, teaching me not just the technical skills of working with curly hair but how to truly listen, understand, and appreciate the deeper importance of helping curly hair take up space in the world.

I’m so grateful to her for having the courage to be a different type of hairstylist and for providing a beautiful, strong foundation to grow in and with. Alongside our incredible team at A Curl’s Best Friend, I have the privilege of helping people of all ages love, embrace, and understand their natural hair. Every story shared, every tear shed (both happy and sad), and every transformation I get to be part of reminds me that this work is important. It’s about more than hair—it’s about self-love, confidence, and empowerment. I’m so grateful I get to do what I love while helping my community and others in the best way I know how.”

- Deanna Holper, A Curl’s Best Friend, Inc.

 

“My mom made me an appointment with a Curly Hair Specialist because I had struggled with my curls my whole life. That appointment with Cindy truly changed my life in more ways than one. Not only did I leave with extensive knowledge of how I could achieve the look I had always wanted at home, but I also left with an idea of what I wanted for my future. I was only a senior in high school at the time, still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do, and after spending a few hours with her, I knew. Once I graduated, I was on my journey to becoming a Curly Hair Specialist.

In the two years I have worked with Cindy, I have learned more than I could have imagined. Every person with curly hair has a story; whether they didn’t know they had curls or had them their whole life, their journey has brought them to A Curl’s Best Friend. It is constantly inspiring to hear all of the stories; it serves as a reminder of why what we do is so important and is healing for so many clients who haven’t had confidence in their hair and their past stylists. I’m glad the curly world is expanding lately, and so many people have started embracing their natural texture. It is truly so beautiful, and I’m happy to be a part of A Curl’s Best Friend team.”

- Madi Rashidian, A Curl’s Best Friend, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out their socials!:

A Curl's Best Friend's Instagram   A Curl's Best Friend's Website

 

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2022 Business Survey


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2025 Community Services Commission

Notice

The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Community Services Commission. Two seats are available on the Community Services Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 6 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025.

The Community Services Commission advises the City Council on matters pertaining to the acquisition, development, and maintenance of public parks and recreational facilities. The Commission also advises the City Council on matters relating to recreational programs and provides advice to the Community Services Department.

This Commission meets the Wednesday after the first City Council meeting of each month, at 6:30 p.m. Commission members pledge upon appointment to represent the overall public good and not that of an exclusive group or interest and will sign an Ethics Policy upon appointment to the Commission. The City assigns a staff liaison to work with the Commission and facilitate communication between the Commission and the City Council.

In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities. Commissioners receive a salary of $59 per meeting, not to exceed $118 per month.

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I attest to the following: 1. I am a legal resident of the City of Lake Forest. 2. I am registered to vote in the City of Lake Forest. 3. I am able to attend Community Services Commission meetings that are regularly scheduled on the Wednesday following the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 4. I have submitted a Statement of Economic Interest, in accordance with the Political Reform Act. 5. I understand this application is a Public Record and may be made available to members of the public upon request, with personal contact information redacted. The information provided in this application is true and accurate.

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2025 Planning Commission Application

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The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Planning Commission. Two seats are available on the Planning Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 6 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025.

The City's Planning Commission is a decision-making body tasked with reviewing matters related to planning and development in the City. The Planning Commission consists of five members which are appointed by the City- Council with Commissioners serving four-year terms. Typical projects reviewed by the Planning Commission include applications for new development, proposed changes in zoning or the text of the Municipal Code, as well as review proposed subdivisions of land. The Planning Commission is also responsible for making recommendations to the City Council as to whether a project or action would be consistent with the General Plan.

The Commission meets on the same week in which the City Council holds their first meeting of the month on Thursdays and meetings commence at 6:30 p.m. In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities.

Commissioners receive a salary of $118 per meeting, not to exceed $236 per month.

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2025 Traffic and Parking Commission

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The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Traffic and Parking Commission. Three seats are available. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 6 p.m. on Monday, January  2025. 

The Traffic and Parking Commission advises the City Council on issues relating to parking and the safe and efficient movement of traffic, including vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other modes of transportation upon the circulation network of the City. The Commission will provide recommendations related to traffic and parking including, but not limited to traffic and parking related field studies, requests for traffic control devices, requests for permit parking and street sweeping parking restrictions, and other related matters.

This Commission meets the Monday prior to the first City Council meeting of each month, at 6:30 p.m. Commission members pledge upon appointment to represent the overall public good and not that of an exclusive group or interest and will sign an Ethics Policy upon appointment to the Commission. The City assigns a staff liaison to work with the Commission and facilitate communication between the Commission and the City Council. In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities.

Commissioners receive a salary of $118 per meeting, not to exceed $236 per month.

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Tell us about your relationships to Current Council Members or Employees. Please limit your responses to 50 words each for Questions 11-13.

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Tell us about your vision for the City: Please limit your comments to 200 words each for Questions 16-18.

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The following attachments are part of the reference materials for the application:

Applicant Verification

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Expand the Forest

Expand the Forest Beautification Program

Public Works Department | 100 Civic Center Dr. | Lake Forest, Ca 92630 | (949) 461 - 3493


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Note: Due to the health and wellbeing of the selected trees, plantings will occur only from October 1st though December 1st and March 1st through June 1st. Staff will contact you during this time frame. Dedication plaques are not allowed. 


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Disclaimer: If a planting date cannot be arranged, the tree(s) will be planted by the end of the planting period. 

 


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The City Council Certificate: The dedication and sponsor(s) information will appear on the City Council signed certificate mailed to you after the tree planting has occurred.

(Example: In loving memory of John Doe, a great friend and co-worker) 


Payment

The cost of the Expand the Forest Program is $93.00/15 gallon tree. 

If Paying by Check, Mail to:

City of Lake Forest
Expand the Forest Program
100 Civic Center Dr.
Lake Forest, CA 92630

If Paying with Cash, Bring to:

City of Lake Forest
100 Civic Center Dr.
Lake Forest, CA 92630

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Credit card payments are accepted through eLakeForest.com with a 3.29% service fee. Register for a new account through eLakeForest.com.

 

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Responsible Pet Ownership

Vet / Clinic:
20780 Lake Forest Dr., Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 600-8310
23162 El Toro Frontage Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 837-5222
29040 Portola Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 380-1255
24301 Muirlands Blvd Ste P, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 837-7660
22377 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 855-9744
3 Rancho Circle, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 581-7979
26741 Rancho Pkwy Suite 105-D, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 354-5201 BlissAnimalHospital.com

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City: Lake Forest

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