Concord resident Maria Mantovano is living her dream as the hands-on owner of Ariam Hair Studio, a salon with a significant industry distinction.

The establishment, which opened earlier this month at 1662 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills, is a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon, a qualification available solely to salons that carry only John Paul Mitchell Systems brands and embrace the company’s customer-oriented culture. The only exception to the inventory protocol are product types not manufactured by the company.

There’s more to John Paul Mitchell Systems brands than the tangible products themselves, said Frank Prescuitti, the company’s regional vice president.

“What really identifies John Paul Mitchell Systems are: No.1, the people, followed by the passion, and then followed by our programs and product,” Prescuitti said. “. . . Salon owners feel connected to the manufacturer. They know the face of the company is (CEO) John Paul DeJoria,” who co-founded the enterprise with the late Paul Mitchell.

The Paul Mitchell connection seems like a natural fit for someone like Ms. Mantovano, a talented hairstylist and cosmetologist with a devotion to customer service.

Ms. Mantovano perfected her skills over more than two decades as a salon owner. In addition, her dedication as a student of her industry has never wavered, making John Paul Mitchell’s ongoing educational programs that much more attractive.

“I have trained with many wonderful people and believe that creativity is created when you open your mind to many ideas,” said Ms. Mantovano, whose extensive background includes stints as a learning leader for the Academy NYC of Cosmetology & Esthetics, Paul Mitchell Partner School, New Dorp, and earlier as the longtime proprietor of a unisex hair salon in Tuckerton, N.J.

According to the Paul Mitchell Web site, www.paulmitchell.com, the company was founded in 1980 with a mission to “provide tools of success for hair care professionals and educators, their salons, and the entire beauty industry.” Its claim to fame was rooted in hair-sculpting. John Paul Mitchell’s 65 different products are sold exclusively through salons.

“Always searching for new and innovative ways to do hair, I came across the Paul Mitchell Academy in Staten Island and applied for a job as a learning leader,” Ms. Mantovano said. “My passion for the industry brought me to the right place and I felt a deep desire to be part of the Paul Mitchell family.”

After teaching at the New Dorp school for a over a year, the next logical step was to bring the Paul Mitchell culture into a venue of her own.

“I decided I needed to move forward and truly live my dream,” Ms. Mantovano said, “I wanted to build a salon based on the beliefs of customer satisfaction — and giving each guest a truly wonderful experience. . . . “Our guests sense a ‘being cared about’ feeling, in a friendly and fun environment.”

HARMAN SENIOR RECREATION CENTER A trip to the planetarium is at 9:30 a.m. today. Activities include chair exercise and free bingo at the center, 4090 S. 3600 West. For information, call 801-965-5822.

SOUTH JORDAN SENIOR CENTER Blood glucose and bone density testing is at 11 a.m. today. Other activities include the Murray Farmers Market, Tai Chi and ceramics at the center, 10778 S. Redwood Road. For information, call 801-302-1222.

EDDIE P. MAYNE KEARNS SENIOR CENTER Wear red and purple today. Jim Reilly plays the accordion is at 11 a.m. Activities include PACE, chair massage, hair care, Sit and Be Fit, scrapbooking, bingo, yoga, a harmonica class and a movie matinee at 4850 W. 4715 South. For information, call 801-965-9183.

MAGNA SENIOR CENTER Activities include line dancing, blood sugar checks, a visit from the paramedics, exercise with exercise bands, bingo and Mexican dominoes at the center, 8952 W. 2700 South. For information, call 801-250-0692.

NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL AND CONTEST POWWOW The festival runs from 5 to 11 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Granger Park, 3500 S. 3600 West. Admission is $4 or free to children 6 and younger and seniors 65 and older. For information, call Harry James, Sr. at 801-955-1089.