Mara DaPonte has always been a negotiator.
In high school, Mara had the opportunity to enroll in a dual vocational school program. Her mother hoped she would pursue dental assisting. Mara had other plans, so she proposed a compromise.
“If I get good grades and I love it, I’ll pursue it. If not, I’ll try what you want me to do,” Mara said.
That decision would lay the foundation for what is now one of Englewood’s thriving small businesses today: Sassy Beaches Salon & Spa.
Today, Sassy Beaches operates as a full-service salon and spa offering hair services, makeup, nail care, dermaplaning, tinting, waxing, massages and facials.
EARLY BEGINNINGS
By 17, Mara was already working in a salon. An unexpected opportunity soon took her to upstate New York, where her clientele grew fast. With a full chair and returning clients, she was eventually promoted to assistant manager.
“I learned a lot and really enjoyed it,” Mara said.
After several years, Mara took another leap — this time to Englewood.
She worked at local salons, but quickly noticed the area’s slower pace. Building her clientele became her primary focus as she worked to fill her schedule.
BUSINESS CHALLENGES
While forming relationships with other beauty professionals in the area, Mara was faced with unexpected setbacks: the salon where she worked was preparing to close.
Two stylists she had grown close with would also be left without jobs and nowhere to work.
For Mara, unemployment was not an option.
She heard rumors of a soon-to-close salon on Beach Road and made a call. She asked the business owner if he would like another business to move in.
From that one phone call, Sassy Beaches was born.
The three ventured to turn the space upside down: interior renovations and rapidly growing and returning clientele.
“It was us, trying to keep the gang together,” Mara said.
HURRICANE TROUBLES
After eight years on Beach Road, Hurricane Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26, 2024. Four feet of water drenched the salon and destroyed 80% of the salon’s equipment. Weeks later in October, Milton also made landfall, compounding the disruption.
Sassy Beaches was forced into transition. Eight employees depended on her — closing permanently was not an option.
Through industry connections, Mara reached out to another salon owner. By chance, this owner was at a crossroads. Instead of renting booths and allowing Sassy Beaches to temporarily use the space, that owner decided to step away entirely.
“The business transaction was done in two weeks, we were back to work,” Mara said. “We thankfully were able to recover from losing a lot of equipment.”
SASSY BEACHES SUCCESS
Celebrating nine years in business, Mara splits her time between clients and managing operations to ensure her team remains booked.
“Success isn’t one stylist being busy — it’s everyone thriving,” she said.
Mara has kept up on industry trends and developments. Behind the chair, she prioritizes hair integrity and realistic expectations over viral trends.
“Your hair is the crown you never take off,” she said.
From correcting over-right orange tones to guiding clients through the realistic process of hair color transformation, Mara believes understanding why products — not just how — separates good stylists from great ones.
Mara also teaches color education classes for Schwarzkopf Professional that takes her to any of the five states she is currently licensed — Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York.
Sassy Beaches, located at 268 South Indiana Avenue in Englewood. Visit SassyBeaches.com to learn more about the salon or book your appointment online. Follow @SassyBeaches on Instagram.
