First Posted: 4/20/2015

Rhonda Pitcavage is the owner and operator of Rendezvous Beauty Studio in Luzerne. Pitcavage, 28, is a native of Kingston and is a 2005 graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School. She also studied fashion merchandising at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and attended the Academy of Creative Hair Design. She lives in Plymouth.

What made you first want to open your own hair salon? The place that I worked at had closed. She just locked the door. I had clients that night, so I didn’t even know. This place was an existing business, and I was looking for a salon, and everything just fell into place. I didn’t want to work for someone else.

What do you like the most about owning your own business? I like to make my own schedule. And I like to make people feel good about themselves. Everyone always comes in, and they say their hair is too curly, or too straight, or too gray, or too long. I just pick those things up and make them look better.

How’s it been going? We’re here since December. I’m busy, and I have one employee. I’ve been doing hair for 10 years, but it’s kind of like I started all over. The way everything happened, I lost clients, because I didn’t have their phone numbers, and some of them didn’t know my last name. So some people needed their hair done, but they didn’t know where their stylist went.

What do you do in your free time to relax? Relax? I don’t know what that means. It’s go, go go. But I like music. My boyfriend is a sound engineer, so we go to a lot of concerts. With any free time, we’re usually travelling.

Who are some of your all-time favorite musical artists? I’m a huge Phish fan. I’ve seen them about 70 times. I also love Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, and going to the Jazz Café for local music.

Favorite color? I can’t pinpoint one. I love them all.

First car? A red 2000 Mercury Cougar. It was a Christmas present from my Mom, and it was parked out front with a giant bow on it. It was a total surprise.

Favorite city? I can’t stand big cities. In New York, there’s too many people. And the public transit? I’m cool just having a car and going where I need to go for my groceries.

Favorite vacation spot? We just went to Costa Rica in November and that was fabulous. I like going to new places.

Favorite thing about NEPA? The local music scene. And that everyone knows everyone, though sometimes that’s good and bad.

Favorite food? Tacos. Most recently, the vegan taco at Nucleus Raw Foods in Luzerne.

All-time favorite movies? “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and “Empire Records.”

All-time favorite TV shows? “The Office,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Seinfeld.”

Favorite quote or catch phrase? “The world is your oyster.”

Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.

Pets? Two dogs, Roxy and Max.

Guilty pleasure? Shopping.

Most influential person in your life? My Mom. She’s always supported me with everything. She was a big help in opening this business. Sometimes, we don’t agree all the time on style. She’s more laid back. But she lets me be fun and be myself.