Salon owner’s journey spans continents

Most local entrepreneurs haven’t owned a business on another continent.

Gertrude Gaba-Abbey isn’t like most local entrepreneurs.

Gaba-Abbey recently opened Gertrude’s International Hair Salon at 413 E. Calder Way. She owned salons in West and Central Africa until she moved to the United States 14 years ago.

Her journey to opening the downtown State College salon, however, involved more than traveling from French-speaking Togo to State College. Gaba-Abbey had to learn English, earn her GED and get licensed to open the salon.

“I was a hairdresser for many years after I went to beauty school in my country,” Gaba-Abbey said. “When I came here, I really wanted to open a salon, but here it took me a long time. I was always inspired to do it, and I’m happy that learning here has opened many doors for me. I’m still learning.”

She credited the Penn State Small Business Development Center for helping her.

“I’ve taken a lot of classes there,” Gaba-Abbey said. “I go there all the time.”

The salon, which specializes in braids, weaves and styling, will have a ribbon-cuting ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Gaba-Abbey is working as a caregiver, too.

“I’m still doing it overnight,” she said. “I love my clients. I just opened the salon, so I’m not that busy yet. Hopefully, I become really successful.”

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 6:36 PM with the headline "Salon owner’s journey spans continents."