Upon finishing her training, Desmond returned to Halifax to start her own hair salon called Vi's Studio of Beauty Culture. Her clients included Portia White and Gwen Jenkins, later the first black nurse in Nova Scotia.

Some specific services provided by salons include electro therapy facial, laser skin whitening, laser hair removal, shampooing and conditioning hair, cutting and styling hair, perming and neutralizing hair, relaxing hair, coloring hair, barbering, shaving and face massage .

Hairdressing services include hair care and washing, fashionable haircut, combing, colouring, waving, and straightening hair and other services. The hairdresser advises customers in relation to the use of hair cosmetics.