Q&A with Nancy Andrews of Signature Aesthetics & Sarah Merli of StyleBar Beauty Bar

Celebrating local women in business who bring confidence, beauty, and community spirit to Sandpoint, this Q&A features Nancy Andrews of Signature Aesthetics and Sarah Merli of StyleBar Beauty Bar as they reflect on their shared path.

Q. You both play an inspiring role in shaping how beauty and confidence are defined here in Sandpoint. What does it mean to share this journey as local women business owners who’ve supported each other over the years?

Nancy A. Sharing this journey with Sarah has been incredibly meaningful. We both understand the real work, sacrifice, and resilience it takes to run a business and overcome obstacles along the way. Supporting each other over the years has made the experience richer and more rewarding. Sandpoint is a special community, and growing side by side while lifting up other women in business has truly been one of the greatest blessings of this journey.

Sarah A. Sharing this journey as local women business owners has been incredibly meaningful. StyleBar Beauty Bar and Signature Aesthetics have always had the same mission—helping people feel their best inside and out. Over the years, we’ve leaned on each other for support, encouragement, and collaboration, and that sense of community has really shaped us. Sandpoint has such a special small-town spirit, and growing side by side while cheering each other on has been truly rewarding. It’s a reminder that success is even better when it’s shared.

Q. The holiday season is all about connection and giving back. How do each of your businesses contribute to that sense of joy and community in Sandpoint?

Nancy A. At Signature Aesthetics, we focus on making every client feel valued, cared for, and completely welcomed the moment they walk in. The holidays give us a chance to slow down, connect, and add moments of kindness and gratitude to each visit. Our collaboration with StyleBar for holiday giveaways brings even more joy to the community, and it feels wonderful to create something uplifting for the people who support us all year.

Sarah A. At StyleBar, we focus on making everyone feel special, loved, and confident — inside and out. The holidays are our favorite time to show our clients appreciation, so we give each of them a little thank-you gift that includes travel-size versions of the amazing products we carry. This year, we’re also collaborating with Signature Aesthetics on holiday giveaways, making it even more exciting to spread joy and gratitude throughout the community. Sharing that extra bit of care and celebration is what the season’s all about.

Q. Running successful beauty businesses requires both creativity and leadership. How have you inspired or learned from one another as entrepreneurs?

Nancy A. Sarah inspires me with her willingness to keep learning, no matter how long or challenging the day has been. We exchange ideas, talk through obstacles, and motivate each other to keep moving forward. That creative energy and mutual honesty has helped both of us grow as leaders. Having someone who understands the ups and downs of entrepreneurship has been a constant source of support.

Sarah A. Running a beauty business takes both creativity and leadership, and one of the best parts of our journey has been learning from each other. We inspire one another by sharing ideas, celebrating successes, and offering honest feedback. Having a trusted partner to exchange ideas with has helped us grow as entrepreneurs and strengthened our creativity and our approach to serving clients.

Q. In a small town where relationships matter, how do collaboration and mutual support between women-owned businesses strengthen Sandpoint’s business community?

Nancy A. In Sandpoint, relationships are everything. Mutual support between women-owned businesses helps build a strong community rooted in trust, loyalty, and respect. When we collaborate, we are not only helping our own businesses grow but also strengthening the community as a whole. The support we give one another creates an environment where people feel valued and where small businesses can truly thrive.

Sarah A. Strong relationships matter here. Collaboration between women-owned businesses strengthens the community by sharing support, knowledge, and opportunities. We cheer each other on, help our businesses thrive, and make Sandpoint a place where both businesses and residents feel valued.

Q. What message would you share with other women who dream of starting a business in Sandpoint?

Nancy A. My message is simple. Go for it and never give up. You will fall and face challenges, but you will get back up every time. If life gives you a black eye, put a little makeup on it and keep going. With resilience, heart, and the support of a community like Sandpoint, you can build something meaningful and fulfilling.

Sarah A. Anything is achievable if you don’t give up, even in your most challenging times. There will be hard moments and people who let you down, but if you keep pushing forward, you can make your dreams a reality. In a supportive community like Sandpoint, with people cheering each other on, it’s even easier to grow your business and reach your goals.

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Q. What do you admire most about Sarah as a businesswoman and community leader?

A. What I admire most about Sarah is her resilience and her drive. Both of us know what it takes to run a business, push through obstacles, and stay focused on serving people well. She shows up every day with determination, even on the hard days, and she continues to work and learn no matter how tired she is. That level of commitment says everything about her character, both as a leader and as a woman in business.

Q. How do you see your missions aligning?

A. StyleBar and Signature Aesthetics have always shared the same heartbeat: making every person who walks through our doors feel seen, cared for, and valued. We both believe in giving clients our full attention, making them feel like the only person in the room. That mindset creates a natural alignment between our missions, making collaboration feel effortless. We want people to leave looking and feeling their best, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Q. What does collaboration look like for the two of you in a small, supportive community like Sandpoint?

A. Collaboration with Sarah has always been grounded in mutual respect and loyalty. In a community like Sandpoint, relationships matter, and Sarah understands that better than anyone. She lifts others up, celebrates their wins, and shows absolute loyalty to the people she works with. When we collaborate, we contribute to something bigger than our individual businesses. We are supporting a community that has supported us.

Q. What is one thing you’ve learned from watching Sarah grow StyleBar into such a strong brand?

A. One of the biggest things I’ve learned from Sarah is the power of consistency and heart. She built StyleBar through steady dedication, showing up every single day with the same passion she had when she started. She stays true to who she is, treats people with kindness, and leads with grace. Watching her navigate challenges while still prioritizing her clients and her team has been inspiring.

Q. If you could design the perfect self-care day for your clients during the holidays, what would that look like?

A. A perfect self-care day during the holidays would start with the courage to slow down and invest in yourself. A day that blends StyleBar’s beauty expertise with Signature’s rejuvenating treatments would give clients a chance to relax, refresh, and walk out feeling renewed inside and out. It would be a day that reminds them they deserve care, too.

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Q. You’ve seen Signature Aesthetics evolve into one of Sandpoint’s most trusted medical spas. What do you admire most about Nancy as a businesswoman and community leader?

A. What I admire most about Nancy is her passion, dedication, and genuine care for her clients and our community. She’s built Signature Aesthetics into a trusted medical spa through hard work, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. Collaborating with her has been both motivating and rewarding.

Q. Both your businesses focus on helping people look and feel their best—how do you see your missions aligning?

A. Nancy and I both started our businesses with multiple locations between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene, often passing each other on the way home after a long day. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch her evolve and grow. We’ve shared ideas for years, have a common clientele, and that shared support has strengthened both of our businesses.

Q. What does collaboration look like for you two, especially in a small, supportive community like Sandpoint?

A. Both StyleBar and Signature Aesthetics focus on helping clients look and feel their best, which makes working together feel effortless. Since we share many of the same clients, it’s natural for us to exchange ideas, support each other’s businesses, and celebrate our wins. At the end of the day, we both want our clients to feel confident and cared for, and that makes our partnership incredibly rewarding.

Q. What’s one thing you’ve learned from watching Nancy grow Signature Aesthetics into such a strong brand?

A. One thing I’ve learned from Nancy is the power of dedication and staying true to your values. She’s built Signature Aesthetics into a strong, trusted brand while remaining grounded in her faith and commitment to family. Watching her balance both has been truly inspiring.

Q. If you could design the perfect self-care day with Nancy for your clients, what would that look like during the holidays?

A. It’s tough to narrow it down to one perfect day for Nancy and me, but during the holidays, I always suggest making time for both StyleBar and Signature Aesthetics. It’s truly worth it!

Signature Aesthetics

1202 N. Division Ave.

Sandpoint

208.627.6869

SignatureAesthetics.com

StyleBar Beauty Bar

111 N. 1st Ave., STE B

Sandpoint

208.946.0185

StyleBarBeautyBar.com