'Fostering' Takes on New Meaning for North Canton Salon Owner

It wasn't anything too out of the ordinary for Mark Marchino when he brought two outside hairstylists into his salon while they waited to move into their new location.

Some people, if in Marchino's shoes, might worry other stylists would steal business.

Marchino didn't bother with those worries. The owner of North Canton's Mark Angelus Salon only wanted to help out two fellow stylists and ensure they weren't out of jobs while they awaited their move into a new building.

The stylists, Tim Rypien and Kurt Frentzel, who joined Marchino in his salon a couple weeks ago, said it's in Marchino's nature to readily offer his hand to those in need. He's volunteered for several community fundraisers — some that benefit people he doesn't even know — and he's also been a foster parent for more than two years.

"That's the little tidbit here, is I'm 'fostering' a salon," Marchino said from inside the salon at 6418 Wise Ave. NW (in the little plaza by and ).

About fostering children, Marchino said, "It's just giving a child a second chance at a life they otherwise wouldn't have. That's my way of looking at it."

Rypien and Frentzel said it's clear Marchino is a selfless person, and it's not uncommon to find caring people within the "Paul Mitchell culture." Both salons use and sell Paul Mitchell supplies, but the men agreed the culture goes beyond just sales.

Frentzel and Rypien had talked with Marchino just before they found out they would have to hold off moving into their new location, 4150 Belden Village St. NW, Suite 110, in Canton. Marchino had said he would foster them at his salon if their move was stalled.

The two men, owners of the Salon at Belden Place, called Marchino just a few hours after they realized problems with building permits would not only prevent their move, but keep them from working and earning money.

They all said they're benefiting from working together. Marchino has no problems leaving the salon in their hands while he's away, and Frentzel and Rypien enjoy working at the Mark Angelus salon, where they said they'll be until about the middle of the month.

"We could have gone other places, but it wouldn't be a fit," Rypien said.

Frentzel agreed, saying, "It's really about camaraderie, and there's really not a whole lot of confusion (with the products)."

Marchino said his fostering the two men in his salon has brought them closer together and made them more than just business contacts.

"We were always on the same playing field, but now it's become a personal playing field and, at the same time, it's become a professional relationship," Marchino said.