NORTH BEND — This start-up just got a big step up from the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

As the winner of the chamber’s inaugural New Business Challenge, Kayla Fletcher now has $16,000 worth of business services to support The Beauty Bar, which opened in August on Virginia Avenue.

In September, the chamber called for business plans from new and aspiring businesses with a goal of spurring business growth in Coos County.

The 22-year-old entrepreneur heard about the challenge through a friend of a friend and didn’t hesitate to apply.

“I thought it’d be a great opportunity,” Fletcher said.

Weeks later, she found herself in the running with four other hopefuls.

Judges were impressed with her business plan for a beauty shop.

“She has new fresh ideas,” said Arlene Soto, director of the Southwestern Business Development Center. “She has high energy, has very strong goals and has a desire to contribute back to the community.”

A board of community business leaders reviewed five business plans. The decision was finalized after an interview process, which Fletcher excelled in.

“She did very well,” said panelist Chris Christoffer, a commercial lender and team leader at Sterling Bank.

Key to winning the challenge was a willingness to take advice. As part of her winnings, Fletcher will receive a year of mentoring from the Southwestern Business Development Center.

“She seemed to be very open and receptive to outside coaching,” Christoffer said. 

Soto initiated the project after proving its success in Cheyenne, Wyo., where she was the manager of a business development office before coming to North Bend.

“Some really phenomenal businesses came out of the that,” Soto said.

Fletcher’s own business grew from a lifelong proclivity to tamper with other people’s hair. Even before high school she was known as the go-to-girl for all coloring and curling needs.

“I think I did everyone’s hair for eighth-grade graduation,” Fletcher said.

She even sacrificed her own appearance to do up her friend’s hairdos for prom.

“Everyone else had really pretty hair except for mine,” she recalled. “I just had a sloppy bun.”

After graduating from North Bend High School in 2005 — where she received such accolades as Rotarian Youth Award, the Principles Leadership Award, and Girl of the Year — she went to Southwestern Oregon Community College and earned a degree in small business management and entrepreneurship. She then received cosmetology certifications from Blondie’s & Co. in Coos Bay.

Stylists Kenny Maddux and Tara Ustica and nail technician Kellye Baker work for The Beauty Bar on contract.

“We’re all young and pretty hip,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher spent $20,000 of her own money to dress up the dowdy space across Safeway. It was formerly Beautiful Nails, a place Fletcher patronized. When she heard the space was going to become available, she started to realize its potential.

She did away with the creamy pink motif and gray carpet and gave it a bohemian flair hardwood flooring and beige walls. She also installed new counter tops and gave the storefront a facelift.

“This is all my pocket money,” Fletcher said, pointing to the upgrades.