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Born in Tennessee, her family moved to Minnesota when she was two years old. She moved to Richmond in 1998, and in 2003, received a license in cosmetology from Regency Beauty Institute in Waite Park.

Her decision to study cosmetology arrived after she began cutting her own hair. "I got a bad hair cut when I was in the eighth grade," she said. "I just kind of started doing it myself and then I started doing everyone else's."

Today, Cleland specializes in body waves, colors, facial waxes, highlights, low-lights, perms, styled cuts, and up-dos. Additional services offered at Ruthie's include: massages, spa facials, spa manicures, and spa pedicures.

Cleland said she enjoys the independence and salon atmosphere at Ruthie's Hair Design without the added responsibility of owning a business. "I'm responsible for my own things. It's kind of like your own salon."

Her favorite part of the job is building a rapport with clients of all ages and backgrounds. "You're not just set with one type of person. There is variety."

And that variety, according to Cleland, has a personal quality, complete with fresh stories that add nuance to the familiarity of a hometown salon. "It's constant. When they walk in...it's, 'How are the kids? How are the grandkids? What did you do this week?' It's kind of like a family," said Cleland.

Ruthie's Hair Design, located on Highway 23 in Paynesville, is open six days a week (Mondays thru Saturdays). To schedule an appointment with Cleland, call 243-3488.

Cleland, who resides in Richmond, spends her free time with her two young children and also works at the Valley Inn in Eden Valley.