Stepping Stone Salon welcomes trio of specialists
Expanded services now available
By Brent Frankenhoff
Amherst’s Stepping Stone Salon recently expanded its offerings by adding three new specialists in various self-care disciplines — massage therapy, skin care, and barbering. They join owner Terri Singer and her six-member staff.
Lisa Jisa, massage therapist
Lisa Jisa, the new massage therapist, is originally from Madison and, after a number of years of living in other states, returned to Wisconsin in 2024, moving to Stevens Point.
The mother of three adult children embarked on massage therapy as a second career, graduating from a therapeutic massage program in 2018. She said that she knows first-hand the benefits of massage after overcoming chronic Lyme Disease as well as the aftermath of a bad car accident. An understanding of the athletic advantages of massage is also part of Jisa’s repertoire as she’s a former marathoner, ultra trail runner, and Iron Man competitor.
“I’m trained in a variety of massage modalities,” she said, “including Swedish, deep tissue, and trigger point. I offer a therapeutic massage that tunes in to what your body needs to ease muscle tension while bringing relaxation and stress relief.”
If all that massage knowledge wasn’t enough, Jisa is also a flower essence practitioner; a grief movement guide; is training to be a yoga teacher as well as learning to offer sylvotherapy, also known as “forest bathing”; and is a published author. Her first novel, Pearls of Winter, was published in 2019 and she’s writing her father’s biography, the story of Jonathan W. Little, a Madison radio icon.
Rachel Joling, esthetician
Rachel Joling, the salon’s esthetician, is a 2023 graduate of the State College of Beauty Culture. The mother of a baby boy said that she “is a passionate skin care professional. My goal is to create a comfortable, trusting relationship with each client while helping you achieve your skin and beauty goals with honesty and efficiency. I look forward to getting to know every client while honoring complete confidentiality. I always want to create a comfortable space for each client to relax and glow!”
As a licensed skin care professional, Joling provides customized treatments that refresh, rejuvenate, relax, and bring out each client’s natural glow. “Think of me as your skin’s personal coach,” she said, “guiding, pampering, and giving your complexion the royal treatment it deserves.”
Joling’s work can target fine lines, rough texture, acne, dullness, loose skin, and more. Services include levels of dermabrasion; facial cupping; waxing; dry brushing; eyebrow lamination, tinting, and lifts; and LED light therapy. Add-ons are also available for facial sessions lasting from 30 minutes to two hours.
Prior to pursuing her skin care career, Joling went to school in Montana for Biblical Studies. In her spare time, she plays guitar and sings.
Brook Hoffman, stylist
Hailing from closer to Amherst, stylist Brook Hoffman is originally from Adams County and moved to the Amherst area about six years ago. Starting her career in 2020, she said that she spent four of the past five years cutting men’s hair and other barbering tasks, which are her specialty.
“I love all things, fades, beards, and I’m moving back into my love of color. The more outrageous, the more I love it. Although I specialize in men’s styling, I welcome people of all ages, genders, and walks of life to come to my chair,” she said.
In addition to barbering, Hoffman said she enjoys working on cars and has the goal of being able to fix just about anything on them.
Appointments with Joling and Hoffman can be made by contacting Stepping Stone Salon at (715) 824-3997 or online at steppingstonesalon.net. To book a massage session, contact the salon or call Jisa directly at (602) 214-2696.