SPANISH FORT, Ala. — As the wife of a former radio personality, Sandra Hasting learned not to take life too seriously; after all, her husband might reveal something about her to listeners. 

“Jay makes me laugh all the time,” she said of her husband, now the tourism director at the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.  “I try to take life one day at a time.

“You just put on your big girl panties and get on with it.”

Hasting opened her business, Changes Hair Studio, just over a year ago.  “Business is booming,” she said.

Since completing cosmetology school, she has worked for 27 years in the profession. “I named the salon ‘Changes’ for a purpose,” she said. “Nine out of 10 people want a change. And, that is the most rewarding part of the job.”

People’s attitudes can often turn positive when they leave the studio with a new look, she said. Photos of customers’ ‘after’ shots showcase Changes’ handiwork, she said. “These are normal people with hairstyles normal people wear,” she said.

The business serves ages 2 and up. Two other stylists work at the salon. “We all excel in color,” she said, adding that the most requested service is adding multidimensional color.  

Hasting was born in Hayden, Ala., a small town just north of Birmingham. Country living for her meant staying outdoors most of the time, climbing trees or jumping in the cold creek. Her father died in a car accident when she was 2; her mother died last year. Hasting’s  stepfather still lives in Hayden. She is admittedly the “spoiled” baby of the family, having three older siblings, which includes one sister and two brothers. 

At 19, she attended college at the University of Alabama to major in business. She eventually met her Jay, to whom she’s been married for 27 years. Their son, Brandon, 21, is a junior at the University of South Alabama, majoring in history.  Daughter, Jami, is a rising freshman at the University of South Alabama, where she plans on majoring in speech pathology and will be on the dance team.  Completing the family are two pets.  Sandi, a rescued sheltie mix, is the “absolutely sweetest, most beautiful dog ever put on the earth,” Hastings said. She described the family cat, Ali, as “kind of strange with a different personality.” 

Because of her husband’s radio career, the couple has lived in 12 cities in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. They now live in Daphne. Hasting, an Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce member, also is a member of the Mystic Order of Gators. Each year the group chooses a terminally ill child to help through donations.  “I find it very rewarding,” she said.  

A favorite night out for Sandra and Jay would include dinner and a movie. She prefers romantic comedies, and likes anything that will “make me cry.” As far as  culinary skills, she has a few family favorites including a garlic-and—dill chicken recipe.

“I also make a killer cream cheese pie,” she said. Hasting’s musical interests are eclectic, and she likes to read biographies and romantic novels. She hopes one day to visit Tuscany, Italy.

Hasting said an ideal day for her would be a trip to the beach — with her family, of course. 

“My children getting along would be a good day,” she said with a laugh.  “We laugh and cut up all the time. Nothing we do in our house is serious.”