Career Change Pays Off for Jefferson Salon Owner

When Missy Novak first started working at Angles Salon in Lake Hopatcong, before it even became Angles, receptionist Judy Dimodica called her the mayor.

“Missy knew everyone in town,” Dimodica said. “She wanted to ease into the business, but she knew what she was doing, and everyone wanted her.”

“I grew up here, so I know a lot of people,” Novak said.

Fast forward seven years, and Novak is now the owner, with her boyfriend Kevin Marshalek, of Angles, a full service family salon.

Customers point to the friendly atmosphere at Angles as one of their favorite things about the salon.

“It’s a cheerful atmosphere,” said Mike Clouse as he finished receiving a hair cut from stylist Shannon Button.

“The services and people are great,” said Maria Bartosch, a customer who works nearby. “And it’s so convenient and accommodating. I can make an appointment in the morning and be in at lunchtime.”

But Angles almost didn’t happen, at least not exactly the way it is today.

“I’ve always loved doing hair, and I used to do my friends’ hair when I was young,” Novak said. “But I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it as a full-time career. I was working at a diner. A customer from there asked me to do her hair, and that was how it started.”

Novak came to work at what was then Buzzworks. About two years into her tenure, Buzzworks’ owner said she was locking the doors and leaving the business.

“I asked her what she wanted for it and she told me nothing,” Novak recalled. “I didn’t think she was serious, but she was. So all I had to do was pay the rent.”

Novak said she called all the girls who were working for Buzzworks and asked them if they’d stay, and Angles was born.

 Now it offers hair-cutting, make-up, spray tanning, ear piercing and waxing services.

“We try to cater to the whole family, and we all perform all the services, but some of us have our signature cuts and styles that we like to do,” Novak said.

While Novak is very happy with Angles as it stands, she’s not resting on her laurels. She has plans to expand the salon, perhaps in a new location.

“When we first started we didn’t have much money to play with,” she said. “Now we’re doing well and we have some money, so I can actually do things to the salon, and think about a bigger place.”