Meet Our Styling Team

Junior Stylist 

Meet Mary Prater! Mary has proudly called Winston-Salem, NC home since 2016, though she originally hails from Omaha, Nebraska. Her passion for hair began in childhood, when she taught herself to braid on her dolls hair at a young age.  She was destined to become a true stylist at a very early. 

After high school, Mary pursued her dream at Empire Beauty School, graduating in October 2024. Now, she thrilled to grow with Stella's Daughter Salon, where she can continue learning and perfecting her craft.

Mary specializes in a variety of braiding techniques, including feed-ins, knotless braids, locs, and children's styles, as well as silk presses and natural hair care. 

She is committed to ensuring that every client leaves her chair feeling confident, radiant, and empowered.

Outside the salon, Mary enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading, listening to music, traveling, getting her nails done, or simply relaxing at home.

Looking ahead, her dream is to open her own salon one that welcomes men, women, and children into a space where they feel safe, valued, and beautiful.

Mary is excited for this journey and can't wait to help you achieve your healthiest, most stunning hair yet!

Senior Stylist 

Meet Thalia Gibson, a proud resident of Winston-Salem, NC since 2005, originally hailing from the charming city of Macon, Georgia.

Thalia's journey into the realm of hairstyling commenced immediately after high school, as she followed her passion to Empire Beauty School. Graduating in 2015 with determination and perseverance, she further refined her skills at Winston-Salem State University, mastering the art of professionalism and communication, attributes she applies daily in the salon.

Since childhood, Thalia has been enamored with hairstyling, even teaching herself how to braid. Her true passion lies in the realm of healthy hair braiding, offering expertise in knotless or traditional braids, feed-ins, twisted styles, and innovative designs incorporating healthier alternatives.

At Stella's Daughter Salon, Thalia is fulfilling her hair dreams, offering a spectrum of services from invigorating shampoos to natural styles, to dynamic hair coloring, sleek silk presses to top-notch conditioning treatments. Her sights are set on expanding her expertise in hair coloring to achieve the status of a Master Hair Colorist.

In the future, Thalia aspires to co-establish her own salon, teaming up with her sister, a talented massage therapist, to create a sanctuary of beauty and relaxation.

A fascinating tidbit about Thalia – she's an avid animal lover with a keen interest in gaining knowledge about pet grooming for our feline and canine companions.

Thalia's fervor lies in promoting hair growth and maintaining healthy locks. She staunchly believes that everyone deserves to feel beautiful! 

"If you look good, you feel good! All healthy hair is good hair; It does not matter the texture."

Owner & CEO / Artistic Director / Master Stylist / Educator

Meet Reanee Bell McManus, a proud native of Montgomery, WV, who embarked on her journey in the beauty industry over 25 years ago. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cosmetology from Carolina Beauty College in 1996, Reanee has since become a licensed hairstylist, esteemed owner of Stella’s Daughter Salon & Wellness Center, a dedicated business coach, and a master educator.

Reanee's passion lies in educating others on the significance of healthy hair care and nutrition. Throughout her illustrious career, she has amassed a plethora of certifications in salon management, haircutting, and hair coloring, showcasing her expertise as a platform artist for renowned brands like Design Essentials, Simply Red Hair Care, and Cocco Hair Pro Tools. 

Her pursuit of knowledge has led her to undergo extensive training from prestigious institutions such as Dudley Cosmetology University, Design Essentials, Paul Mitchell, and many more. In 2011, she achieved her Masters as a Professional Educator from Enyada Graduate School of Mastery, reinforcing her belief that education is the cornerstone of professional advancement.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Reanee finds joy in her role as a mother to three beautiful daughters, a doting grandmother to her grand-girl, and a cherished companion to her grand-dog, "Stella." She indulges in her love for literature through audiobooks, treasures moments with her family, embraces laughter, silliness, and enjoys exploring the world through travel. Her compassionate nature is evident in her commitment to giving back and blessing others.

Looking ahead, Reanee envisions a future where she expands the Stella’s Daughter brand with a chain of salons. Her ultimate goal is to provide guidance and support to aspiring stylists, technicians, educators, and industry leaders, fostering excellence, consistency, and professionalism in service delivery. 

She firmly believes in empowering her team through ongoing education, support, and shared goals, all aimed at better serving the needs of their valued guests.

Stay tuned for the exciting launch of Stella’s Daughter Salon & Wellness Center II & III!

Wishing you a phenomenal hair day!

Follow Reanee & The SD Styling Team on Instagram: @sdsalonwellness