Cutting Edge Salon Celebrates 25 Years As Leonardtown’s “Best Kept Secret”

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Tucked just one block off the main drag in Leonardtown, Cutting Edge Salon has quietly built a loyal following over the past quarter-century — earning a reputation its owner says still rings true today: “The Best Kept Secret in Town.”

That reputation was celebrated recently during a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking 25 years of business for owner Jessica Beavan, who has been a fixture in the local hair industry since 2001.

“I, of course, am super proud of myself, but I also am very humble, and I feel so honored that so many people have trusted us for so many years,” Beavan said. “Not just on a hair level, but a personal level as well.”

A Legacy Built Over Time

Beavan began working at the salon, then under previous ownership, on Feb. 6, 2001. After building her own clientele within the space, she officially purchased the business on May 1, 2003, taking over the salon, its clients, and its legacy.

Since then, she has remained a steady presence in the Leonardtown community, forming long-term relationships with clients that extend far beyond routine appointments.

“It never failed through all the years, we would have someone come in and say, ‘I had no idea this place was here,’” she said. “And we’d say, ‘No, this salon has been here since 1988.’”

That recurring sentiment eventually inspired the salon’s unofficial motto.

“We always got, ‘You’re the best kept secret in town,’” Beavan said. “And that kind of became our thing.”

A Collective Of Independent Professionals

While Beavan owns Cutting Edge Salon, the space operates as a collective of independent professionals — each running their own business under one roof.

In addition to hair services, the salon includes Body Blueprint Massage, a licensed massage therapy business operating upstairs, and Reiki by Jo, where a Reiki master offers sessions in a private room. Two additional stylists also work within the salon, each managing their own clientele.

“We’re all kind of business owners, but in Cutting Edge,” Beavan explained.

This structure allows the salon to offer a diverse range of services while maintaining a personalized, boutique-style environment.

Full-Service Hair And Beyond

Cutting Edge Salon provides a wide range of hair services for men, women, and children, including cuts, coloring, extensions, and specialty treatments.

Among the team is a master barber and stylists experienced in everything from dimensional color to specialty blonding and long or short styles.

“Between all of us, we’re just really well-rounded,” Beavan said.

The addition of massage therapy and Reiki services adds another layer to the client experience, one that blends beauty with wellness.

“We do have clients that will book a massage, and then come down and get their hair done,” she said. “If we can make it work, we do.”

A Unique Place In The Local Hair Community

Beavan emphasized that Cutting Edge Salon operates within a collaborative local salon community, maintaining friendly relationships with other Leonardtown businesses.

Rather than competing directly, she intentionally curates product lines that differ from those offered by larger salons in the area.

“When I bring a product line into my salon, I make sure that it’s different from what they have,” she said. “That way we all kind of have our thing.”

With six styling stations, Cutting Edge is smaller than many nearby salons — something Beavan sees as a strength.

Rooted In Relationships

For Beavan, the success of the past 25 years comes down to one thing: connection.

Salon visits, she said, are about more than appearance — they’re deeply personal experiences built on trust and familiarity.

“That’s your girl, you go in and you know her,” she said, reflecting on the client-stylist bond many customers experience.

As Cutting Edge Salon looks toward the future, Beavan remains focused on maintaining that same level of care and connection that has defined the business for decades.

And despite its longevity, she says the salon still manages to surprise first-time visitors.

“Literally last week, we had someone come in and say, ‘This place is great! I had no idea this was here,’” she said with a laugh. “We still hear it all the time.”

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