Business owner Christa Stephens dies at 49

Business owner Christa Stephens, whose companies included Inviktus Salon and Black Lab Coffee Co., has died.

Stephens, 49, died May 3, according to her obituary posted to Meadors Funeral Home's website. Stephens previously was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer, according to past reporting.

Stephens’ husband, Case Howard, said in an interview with Springfield Business Journal this morning that he plans to continue the businesses.

“I’m going to do everything I can to keep Black Lab and Inviktus alive,” Howard said.

Howard said with Inviktus Salon, which has three locations and 12 stylists, he’s considering a consolidation with a focus on the former Mojo Pie building in Springfield at 2037 S. Waverly Ave. Founded by Stephens in 2018, Inviktus Salon produced 2023 revenue of $700,000, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Black Lab Coffee Co. operates at 1037 E. Township St., Ste. 100, in Republic.

Case said he also hopes to launch a nonprofit foundation in Stephens’ honor that would help small businesses with entrepreneurial expenses.

“We would not have made it without the help of our community,” he said. “Her legacy’s going to live on.”

Howard said in addition to operating Inviktus Salon and Black Lab Coffee Co., Stephens worked as a traveling consultant for hair salons nationwide and was recognized multiple times by Salon Today.

"That was just the type of woman that my wife was," he said. "She was so driven. She was 130% locked in."

Inviktus Salon announced Stephens' passing in an Instagram post this morning.

"Christa was more than just the visionary behind Inviktus Salon – she was an incredible stylist, mentor, friend and guiding light to us all. Christa wasn’t just the heart of Inviktus Salon – she was Inviktus," the post reads. "We’ll carry her legacy forward – with scissors in hand and love in our hearts. You will forever be the heart and soul of Inviktus."

Howard memorialized Stephens in a May 7 public Facebook post that points to a celebration of life scheduled at 2 p.m. on June 8 at the J.R. Martin Park amphitheater in Republic.