Janet Schlarbaum began her beauty career in Boise, ID, where she earned her cosmetology license in 1960, and in 1961, she opened her own salon in White Bird, ID. The salon, which she called A Touch of Class was a labor of love for Janet Schlarbaum and her husband, Burt. Mr. Schlarbaum did much of the plumbing and construction on the structure, and Janet Schlarbaum painted the walls and helped hang mirrors and arrange the furniture. Within a few short months of opening its doors, A Touch of Class was a resounding success in the small community, and soon, Janet had a number of “regulars” keeping her company with local gossip and good conversation. In 1968, Janet Schlarbaum expanded A Touch of Class, adding two new chairs and renting booths to two new stylists, one of whom was a friend from beauty school. Together the three women built up an impressive list of clientele, and soon, Janet Schlarbaum called upon her husband to expand the salon. By the time Janet Schlarbaum closed the doors to A Touch of Class in March of 2004, the building had been expanded two more times, was home to five full-time stylists, and boasted a manicure area and a boutique. Fortunately, retirement was a welcome change for Janet Schlarbaum. Though she missed her friends and coworkers, she left to answer a “grander” calling—to take care of her young great-grandson, Cason, so his mother could attend college. Though Janet Schlarbaum has been “retired” for four years, she has not given up styling hair. She still takes a few regular appointments free of charge in her kitchen. She also has paid hair styling house calls to several elderly clients, also free of charge, because according to Janet Schlarbaum, “It’s just the right thing to do.”