Page 102 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2023

DIANNA THOMAS-WEDER
THE OPAL SALON AND BOUTIQUE
114 E. Third St., Ste. B, Long Beach | 228.206.4359 www.theopalsalon.com
The owner of The Opal Salon and Boutique, Dianna Thomas-Weder loves the fast-paced atmosphere that her job provides, as well as the challenge of an ever-changing beauty industry. “During my 20 years in this industry, I have continued to be challenged and inspired by the constant change,” she says. “Creating beautiful color on clients and having so many creative techniques to use is what drives my passion!”
The Opal Salon and Boutique was not her first venture. Thomas- Weder opened her first salon in New Orleans, which she ran for nine years. The pandemic, while devastating, pushed her to take a risk, downsize, and reinvent herself here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. “The Opal Salon and Boutique will be my best success,” she said confidently. “What doesn’t break you makes you, and now I get to make a new chapter in my life in a beautiful, friendly community.”
While new to town, Thomas-Weder has quickly made her home here, enjoying the uniqueness of each Coastal town alongside her husband, Tommy, and their puppy, Beau.
presented by South Mississippi Living magazine
SUPPORTING WOMEN IN COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Follow the Alliance on
Facebook and Instagram @gulfofmexicoalliance www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance, with funding from NOAA and our Gulf Star partners Equinor and USFWS, is proud to support early career women through internships that provide hands-on experience in coastal management at state agencies across the region. Led by the five Gulf states, the Alliance works with 1,000 members from over 165 organizations including state and federal agencies, academia, business, and non-profits to address coastal issues such as community resilience, wildlife, fisheries, habitat and education.
102 | September 2023 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living