THREE members of the 22nd House of Representatives on Saturday attended the grand opening of Empress Beauty Salon & Barber in Garapan, Beach Road between National Office Supply and Mariana Lounge.
Reps. Sheila Babauta, Leila Staffler and Edwin Propst commended the salon owner, Tiffany Usenuku Yokoyama Lizama, for promoting mental health, women empowerment and local entrepreneurship.
“We are so proud of Tiffany and her team,” Babauta said, adding that empowering the community is essential for the betterment of the CNMI.
“I am very proud to see another strong female leader who has set a great example as a role model to young girls in the CNMI. She shows that we can set goals, meet our goals and support one another,” Babauta added.
“Women empowerment is very important…. I am very excited to support Empress Beauty Salon,” Babauta said.
Staffler said that with respect to mental health, “when you feel your best, you will be your best.”
Sometimes, she said, taking a little time for yourself, while getting your manicure and pedicure done, is good for the mind.
“I also really love how Tiffany is taking a chance in opening a business at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Staffler said. “I wish her the best. and I will definitely check out her salon.”
Propst said what Lizama is doing is inspiring. “We are so excited to see more local entrepreneurs like her, who are so passionate in what they do. We wish her all the success in the world and we want to remind everyone to please continue to support local businesses and especially small businesses because they are the backbone of [the] economy,” Propst added.
Lizama said she was “overcome with joy” for the community’s support “while also grieving the loss of two influential people who would’ve been in attendance with us, Hedwig Hofschneider and the late Rep. Ivan Blanco.”
She said her “vision for this salon is more than just a business but a platform that we are trying to build to promote mental health and empowerment within the community regardless of the challenges, setbacks, and labels that people may experience. We want to provide a positive environment to all our clients who walk in through our doors by creating accessibility to luxurious beauty care and grooming services at an affordable cost.”
She said Empress Beauty wants to help students from low-income homes get ready for their prom, provide free hairstyling lessons to single fathers, create a resource center for community agencies so community members can learn about their services while finding more ways to serve the community.
Lizama would like to thank all of her salon’s supporters, collaborators and volunteers — Hobbies 670, Marianas Dropship, Island Floral & Novelties Shop, Blue Haus, Michaela Gatdula and Duncan Laxa of Micafe, Loli Pangelinan and Darrel Moteisou of Kagman Bolis, Bertha Camacho of Amway CNMI, Emmanuel T. Erediano of Marianas Variety, Arlene Silva of Taro Sue, Reverend Father Albert Pellazar of Kristo Rai Parish, Rep. Sheila Babauta, Rep. Leila Staffler, Rep. Edwin Propst & Daisy Propst, RV Tolentino, Thomasa Santos Stole and Lerins Stole and family, Dennis and Mabel Reyes, Margo Aldan, Samantha Calvo, Patrick and Ruby Duenas, James and Dorian Sablan, Zoe Stephanson Miss Water 2020, Stephanie Borja Miss Fire 2021, and the staff, family members, friends, and highly valued customers of Empress Beauty Salon & Barber.
Empress Beauty Salon & Barber owner Tiffany Usenuku Yokoyama-Lizama, fourth left, poses for a photo with Rep. Sheila Babauta, Rep. Edwin Propst, his wife Daisy, Rep. Leila Staffler, Miss Earth NMI-Miss Water 2020 Zoe Stephanson, Miss Fire 2021 Stephanie Borja, hairstylists Yana Osian and Rhaine Tumada during the salon’s grand opening on Saturday.
Empress Beauty Salon & Barber owner Tiffany Usenuku Yokoyama-Lizama, Rep. Sheila Babauta, Rep. Leila Staffler, Rep. Edwin Propst, Miss Earth NMI-Miss Water 2020 Zoe Stephanson, Miss Fire 2021 Stephanie Borja, hairstylists, Yana Osian and Rhaine Tumada cut the ceremonial ribbon during the grand opening of the salon on Saturday.
