Mary Aleck opened Sanibel Beauty Salon on March 25th, 1951. Even though all of her equipment had not arrived on the Island in time, she was determined to open on March 25th because that's Greek Independence Day. On that day, she celebrated both her Greek heritage and her Independence as a pioneering businesswoman; as unbelievable as it sounds now, she had to have her husband file papers in court saying that she was competent to own a business. (true story).