Planet Salon was founded in 1998 and is locally owned and operated. Marcella Combs started as a stylist in 2000, and purchased the business in 2006 from her mentor, Thomas. In 2013, stylist Jessica Tuggle Hogan joined Marcella in the ownership adventure, and Planet Salon Frankfort was born. With two thriving locations, Marcella’s wife and Planet’s behind the scenes one woman maintenance crew, Whitney Faulkner, felt it necessary to sell her gym business and become full time Mrs. Fix It. In 2015, a third location, Beaumont, joined the line-up. With this addition came a full-service spa, and another local lady, Jillian Akers, to round out the ownership team. Jillian is a full-time esthetician at Beaumont as well. Together, with the support of the central Kentucky community, these four women have created a booming local salon family. Marcella, Jessica, and Jillian all started out as stylists, and worked their way up into ownership. All four owners are shining examples of hard work paying off, and their passion fueling their dreams. They welcome stylists and clientele, of any and all backgrounds, to experience the safe, supportive, and healthy environment of Planet Salon.
Marcella
Marcella Combs is the proud owner of Planet Salon and Spa’s Hamburg location and a partner in the brand’s two additional locations in Lexington and Frankfort, Kentucky. With over 20 years behind the chair as a stylist, Marcella built her career on artistry, mentorship, and dedication to excellence. Throughout her career, she trained and guided countless stylists, many of whom now thrive in the industry.
Today, Marcella is retired from day-to-day styling and resides in Florida, where she focuses on the back-end operations that keep Planet Salon and Spa thriving. Her mission has always been simple yet powerful: ensure every client receives the value and experience they deserve, while creating a fun, safe, and supportive environment for her team.
Known for her forward-thinking leadership, Marcella has always pushed Planet Salon and Spa to stay ahead of trends while never losing sight of client care. She is committed to building a culture where stylists feel inspired, supported, and proud of the work they do—making the salon not just a workplace, but a community.
Beyond the salon, Marcella has been happily married to her wife, Whitney, for over 20 years, and together they are proud parents of a grown son. Family, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others remain at the heart of everything she does
Whitney
Whitney Faulkner is an important part of the Planet Salon & Spa family. A former business owner, she sold her Lexington gym in 2014 and has since supported the salons in many ways—managing front desk operations, helping set the standard for customer service, and often stepping in as the “maintenance man” whenever she’s in town from Florida. Whitney is a steady source of support for the team and a trusted part of the Planet community. Outside of Planet, she runs the couple’s Airbnb properties, balancing her love for hospitality with life in Florida alongside her wife, Marcella.
Jessica
Jessica Tuggle has been a passionate force in the beauty industry since 2006. Starting her journey as an apprentice cosmetologist straight out of hair school at Planet Salon, she quickly immersed herself in learning, teaching classes, and taking on management responsibilities. Her dedication and talent led to the opportunity to become co-owner, a role in which she continues to elevate the salon experience. Jessica credits her knowledge and success to Marcella, her family, and the mentors who shaped her career.
A devoted mother to two teenage daughters—one thriving in basketball and track, the other in cheerleading—Jessica balances her professional ambitions with her love for family, patio season, water sources, and the beauty of a perfect sky. Inspired to expand the high standards of Planet Salon beyond Lexington, she proudly brought a high-end salon experience to Frankfort, KY.
Jessica is passionate about changing the way the world views hairstylists, mentoring young professionals, and empowering the next generation to break generational curses while achieving their goals. Her mission is to combine artistry, education, and care to ensure every guest and stylist leaves her salon inspired, confident, and celebrated.
Jillian
Jillian Akers has been in the cosmetology industry since 2003, mostly focusing on skincare. She started working at Planet Salon in 2007. Jill left the trade for a short span, before returning to Planet in 2015, when the Beaumont location was created. She has been close friends with Marcella for years, so when the opportunity arose to manage the spa portion of Beaumont, she jumped on it. Fast forward a couple of years, and Jillian’s dream came true when she became a partner. Jill accredits being able to do what she loves to Marcella’s support and enlightenment. She is a full-time esthetician at Beaumont, offering all waxing services and skincare, to several different types of permanent makeup, and everything in between. Jillian lives in Lexington with her wife, Kara, and their fur children. She loves that Planet feels like family, is genuinely passionate about continuing education, and loves being able to offer fresh new services to clients.
