Linda McCarren is constantly moving, hard at work trying to balance the running of three beauty schools.

As she walks up the stairs to her third floor office at the Butler Beauty School, the building is buzzing with activity. This past Wednesday was the first day of class.

Students and employees scurry around the building tending to customers and practicing their craft.

After working as executive director of the Butler Beauty School for 14 years, McCarren now is running the show.

McCarren of Connoquenessing Township bought the Kittanning, Butler and New Castle beauty schools from Gerald Camp.

McCarren and her husband, Michael, owned McCarren's Clothing Store on Main Street in Butler for 27 years until it closed in 1999.

The Butler Beauty School is at 233 S. Main St.

"I'm not planning on changing anything from when Mr. Camp owned the schools," McCarren said. "I like keeping the businesses in small towns because the girls who come here come to the town and help bring business."

Camp, who owned the Butler school for 32 years, still owns the Beaver Falls Beauty Academy.

He now is the executive director at the Butler Beauty School, the position McCarren had.

McCarren said she loves running a small-town business, especially working with the students.

The students go through a 10-month program, and the programs start at five times throughout the year.

McCarren said there are about 90 students a year.

"I like seeing the students get experience in the field," she said.

Kathi Monpere, director of the Butler school, said the school teaches students how to market themselves.

"There is money in the salon business," Monpere said. "We want to teach them how to be more confident with the public."

The public relations aspect of the salon business is important. Customers like to find one stylist who they can go to on a regular basis.

"A lot of our business comes from word of mouth from students," McCarren said. "The PR part is an important part of the education. Our business is popular because it's a cheap, economical options."

About three or four men enroll in the programs.

"We enjoy having male students because they have different perspectives than females," Monpere said. "We like to see things through their eyes."

After a busy first day of class, McCarren is excited to continue what Camp started.

"Through this program the students are able to build a lot of confidence," she said. "It's really a change in lifestyle."