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MARCELLUS - Not everyone has to wait in line at the salon. Autumn Pilot's clients can have a salon experience at home or anywhere they want to look their best. Pilot does business as Colors of Autumn, her sole proprietorship. She travels to homes, offices, churches, hotels, and other locations to provide cosmetology services.

Pilot, a graduate of Phillips Hairstyling Institute in Syracuse, began her career in cosmetology five years ago. After graduation she worked in a salon for a while before going into business for herself.

Pilot began providing portable beauty services after some of her elderly clients asked if she could come to their homes. Her business grew by word of mouth and soon customers who weren't home-bound began asking her to come to their homes.

"Some clients are just too busy to wait around at a salon," she explains.

Other reasons for having the stylist stop by include the tradition of salons being closed on Mondays.

"People still need to look good on a Monday," says Pilot.

New York State requires cosmetologists to receive more than 1,000 hours of pre-licensing training in all aspects of beautification. Cosmetology encompasses the broad range of salon skills including hair styling and nail care as well as makeup. Pilot's traveling salon fits inside a suitcase. She carries everything from nail files to hair coloring to her assignments. Clients typically choose their hair colors in advance of Pilot's visit. The stylist has a client base of about 30 regular customers.

Weddings and special events are a good source of business for Colors of Autumn. Pilot has traveled to events across Central New York to help brides and bridesmaids look their best and stay looking that way. A bride who has her hair, nails, and makeup done away from the wedding site, Pilot explains, could have her look ruined by wind or rain before she ever reaches the church. Pilot does the wedding party's hair and makeup on-site, so there is no weather to worry about. She also touches up the bride before the reception and photo sessions.

"There may be hours between the wedding and the reception," says Pilot.

Prom season keeps Pilot busy throughout the end of each school year. Other events she works include children's parties and themed parties. One event for adults combines margantas and makeovers for guests.

Colors of Autumn's services range in price from $7 for a simple eyebrow waxing to about $175 for a complete makeover, which includes hair, makeup, nails, and other enhancements.

"I make them over from head to toe," she says.

Pilot also performs work for video-production companies that require onsite hair and makeup services. Actresses in commercial and other video productions often need to have their hair, makeup, and even nails done several times during a video shoot, she explains.

Colors of Autumn may not remain a solo business for long. Pilot is writing a business plan for her own salon and spa. She estimates that she'll need to secure about $500,000 in financing, so she's seeking a partner for that venture.