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Blush Blog Post

Behind the Chair: Introducing Our Talented Team!

blushsalon211

Updated: Mar 3

Get to Know the Team!<3

Ever wondered about the girlies that work at Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty? Recently, we had the pleasure of interviewing members of our team, and during our conversation, we covered some really exciting insights about their "why" and get a better understanding of who they are and what drives them!

Instagram: @blushco_hairandbeauty

Meet our Salon Owner and Master Stylist- Erin! Erin has been in the industry for going on 20 years! She is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve in the industry, empowering her team to reach their full potential, and nurturing lasting connections with her guests.

Q. What inspired you to become a Hair Stylist?

A. "When I was little, I always loved fashion and being artistic, when I was in high school and started thinking of my career, I thought what better work there would be than being a Hair Stylist and combining my passions, and the rest is history! (Literally... I’m getting old🥴)"

Q. Do you have any specialized certifications or areas or expertise?

A. "Oh man, so I have been a Hair Stylist for going on 20 years, I have just about every certification you can have for Goldwell (our color line) I was an Educator for the brand for about 5 years, so I know the color line in and out. I love expanding my knowledge in the industry and have taken so many classes and certifications over the years. Including advanced Academy’s in NYC and California. I also have a vast knowledge of hair extensions as well as keratin treatments."

Q. Why did you choose to open a salon, and what was the driving force behind that decision?

A. "I wanted to create a space where stylists were free to be themselves and not just looked at as a number or a dollar sign. I wanted to create an environment where stylists felt safe and comfortable to grow."

Q. What makes you feel most fulfilled in your role as a stylist?

A. "100% the relationships I have built over my career, I have so many guests that I have seen evolve over the last 20 years, and I love knowing I helped make them look and feel their best throughout so many important events in their life"

Q. What do you enjoy most about being a stylist at Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty?

A. "The chaos! Haha! No seriously, I love all of it. It isn’t as easy as people think, and I wish that they could sometimes walk a day in my shoes. I love seeing others succeed, and being a part of that for them is so rewarding to me. I love that I’ve created a space that I am so proud of, and to be able to share that with our team and guests is such an awesome feeling!" 

Q. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

A. "A lot of people wouldn't guess it, but I perform my best when things are in chaos. I have this ability to stay calm and find solutions quickly when everything around me is unpredictable."

Q. How do you balance personal life with the demands of your career?

A. "I make sure to always get 8 hours of sleep🤪

My days and weekends are so busy, but I want my kids to know that literally any of their dreams are possible, and to be proud of me one day. I always show up to everything for them, which is getting harder as my little ones get older because there is one of me and 3 of them, but I will always show up for them, that is a nonnegotiable to me." 

Q. What do you do when you’re not behind the chair?

 A. "When I’m not behind the chair I’m usually at home comfy and cozy, reading, catching up on shows or doing chores lol or I’m out with my friends or visiting with family. My friends and family are the most important thing in my life, so I try to spend most of my time with them!" 

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self when you first started out, what would it be?

A. " This career is so rewarding, and all of the long days, nights and weeks were worth it to get to where I am now!"

Q. What is one thing you wish more people understood about the beauty industry?

A. "I hate the weird only a hair stylist sigma, we work SO hard, are on our feet all day, and most of us get no sick or personal time. We truly do work so hard and that needs to be respected, which I’m happy to see seems like it’s finally happening!"

Get In Touch with Erin:

Instagram handle: @blushco_hairandbeauty


Meet Salon Owner and "chaos coordinator" Jenna! Running the daily operations at Blush Salon for over 10 years, Salon owner Jenna is the center of our salon’s life making sure that the needs of all our guests and staff exceed expectations!

Q. What inspired you to start your own salon?

A. "My sister Erin opened the salon on her own a little over 10 years ago, I began to help out on my off time and quickly found that it was something I wanted to really dive into with her. We work so well together and really balance each other out, becoming business partners and expanding really became a no brainer!"

Q. Who or what has been your biggest inspiration throughout your career?

A. "That is a tough question! There isn't just one answer. My sister Erin has obviously been my biggest inspiration, I watch her day in, and day out make people feel so special and it is beautiful to see. She has also inspired me to never give up when things get tough! My husband has always inspired me to be the best version of myself! My mother has always been a huge supporter. Lastly, my children and nieces and nephews, I want to make them proud every day and have something they can one day take over if they wish."

Q. What’s one thing you wish you had known before opening your salon?

A. "That it is okay to make mistakes and to not be so sensitive. I used to take everything so personal."

Q. How do you handle difficult situations, whether it’s with clients or staff?

A. "I always try to put myself in other people's shoes, listen to them, and really get to the root of the problem."

Q. What do you believe is the key to staying relevant in the ever-evolving beauty industry?

A. "This industry changes constantly, I am always trying to keep up by taking classes on things like social media, marketing, business, trends, and most recently I have been really studying psychology in order to connect with different people. That may have you confused but it is very important to me to know more about my staff and clients that come to the salon."

Q. What do you do to unwind after a busy day at the salon?

A. After a vent session with my mom or husband, I usually unwind by reading a good book, binge watching my favorite shows, snuggling with my kids, or playing video games."

Q. What’s the most rewarding part of being a salon owner?

A. "For me, it is definitely watching and helping my staff grow. We become family and their success is always a priority! Watching them accomplish goals and evolve personally is the best reward. I also love connecting with our guests and seeing their reaction at the end of their appointment."

Q. What is something you’ve learned about yourself since becoming a salon owner?

A. "I have learned so much about myself in the last 10 years. I have learned to trust in myself and that I am capable. I have learned that when things get tough you just have to keep moving forward. I also learned that I could curl my own hair LOL."

Q. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

A. ""Most people wouldn't guess it, but I actually really enjoy playing video games. It’s something I do in my downtime to relax and get a bit of a mental break from everything else. Plus, I’m pretty competitive, so I love the challenge of trying to beat my personal best or going up against others!"


Meet our Stylist Keleigh! She is a skilled hairstylist and makeup artist who stays ahead of the latest trends. We’re lucky to have such a talented professional as part of our team!

Q. What inspired you to become a hairstylist and makeup artist?

 A. "I really loved braiding in middle school and was always getting asked to do peoples hair and I loved seeing people get happy when I was finished so that’s what got me into beauty. I got inspired thru the feeling I got when I did little things for people, so I kept building off of that a made a career!" 

 Q. Do you have any specialized certifications or areas of expertise?

 A. "I am a blonding and lived in/ balayage specialist. That is where I’ve concentrated most of my services. I have taken many blonding and balayage's classes to be able to say that’s where I shine the most. The only certification I have is a lash extension certification, but I am not currently practicing that craft."

Q. How do you approach consultations with guests to understand their needs and preferences?

A. "I approach every consult with open ears I listen to everything my clients want while being upfront and completely honest with them. I feel it’s most important my clients are comfortable with me from the jump, so I’ll make a joke or show my personality before anything. The consult is the most important part of any service so while I give my professional opinions, I make sure my clients know that they can tell me what they want, and I will listen, and I will do my very best to get them to their dream hair while keeping their hair healthy." 

Q. What makes you feel most fulfilled in your role as a stylist?

A. "When clients feel like they can confide in me about their lives and personal issues. As well as seeing what an impact beautiful fresh hair can do for them, the end smile makes any process worth it!" 

Q. What do you enjoy most about being a stylist at Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty?

A. "I enjoy being a part of a big team of powerful independent women that all have the same goal to make it in this industry. We all have so much fun together. I never walk into a day of work being miserable or dreading having to be here!"

Q. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

A. "I have a really weird memory skill lol I have the record at my middle school for the most numbers I memorized of PI lolll I once memorized 218 digits of it. But don’t ask me what they are now because it’s been like 10 years since I did it 😂 "

Q. How do you balance personal life with the demands of your career?

A. "I am someone who struggles with balance and saying no to clients so I am constantly telling myself it’s ok to take a long weekend or a vacation here and there so I can have fun, but it helps being in a career where I am able to do so. I just take days off as they come and do what I can with friends and family when I’m not at the salon!" 

Q. What do you do when you’re not behind the chair?

 A. "When I’m not behind the chair I’m usually at home chilling, reading catching up on shows or doing chores lol or I’m out with my friends or visiting with family. My friends and family are the most important thing in my life, so I try to spend most of my time with them!" 

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self when you first started out, what would it be?

A. "Don't get discouraged it gets better every day you show up and show your willing to work. Stop comparing yourself to others and stop second guessing everything you do trust yourself and your knowledge that you are good at what you do!"

Q. What is one thing you wish more people understood about the beauty industry?

A. That hairdressers are not magicians. We can’t copy and paste inspiration pictures it takes time and money to get to where you want to be with your hair. I wish people would understand that this career is hard and not just playing with hair all day. It may not be as hard of physical labor as other jobs require but it does still affect a lot of our lives, and we still show up every day to do it because we love making people feel beautiful." 

Get In Touch with Keleigh:

Instagram handle: @kreationsby_keleigh


Meet our Stylist Briahna! With her bold personality and expert skills, she’s all about making guest's feel beautiful and empowered! We truly enjoy having her on our team and appreciate the energy and talent she brings!

Q. What inspired you to become a hairstylist?

A. "From a young age, I have aspired to become a hairstylist, having enjoyed styling my sister's and mother's hair for as long as I can remember."

Q. Do you have any specialized certifications or areas of expertise?

 A. "My Specialized certifications are in keratin treatments. I also enjoy blonding, gray blending, tape in hair extensions, and updo-styling for events! I am constantly continuing my education to help perfect my skills."

Q. How do you approach consultations with guests to understand their needs and preferences?

A. "The consultation sets the tone for the entire appointment, so it is very important to be open, honest, understanding and listen to every detail. Discussing their beauty budget from the beginning is very important to me so that my guest and I are always on the same page, and they are not ticket shocked at the end of the appointment. I like to outline the process for them so that they are aware of the steps being taken. I also like to set real expectations so that they are aware if their desired look is achievable in that session, or it may take multiple."

 Q. What makes you feel most fulfilled in your role as a stylist?

 A. "Making each guest feel confident when they walk out of the door and making them feel like the best version of themselves, great hair= confidence!"

Q. What do you enjoy most about being a stylist at Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty?

A. "We are like a family here! We always know we have each other to lean on when the going gets tough! We all listen to each other and give the best advice we can. We have each other's backs!"

Q. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

 A. "I get Starbucks every single day, even in snowstorms, it's my vice! lol"

Q. How do you balance personal life with the demands of your career?

A. "On my days off I take time for myself and do the things I don't have the time to do on my workdays"

8. What do you do when you’re not behind the chair?

 A. " I love to Hang out with my friends, go out and about, binge watch my favorite tv shows/movies, go to the gym, and of course go shopping!"

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self when you first started out, what would it be?

A. "Be patient about building a clientele and know that mistakes happen and it's a learning experience."

Q. What is one thing you wish more people understood about the beauty industry?

A. "You’re not always going to get your end goal in the first session, and it takes time, your hair health is the most important."

Get In Touch with Briahna:

Instagram handle: @hairbybriahna_


Meet our Stylist Viviana! Cosmetology is in her DNA- following in her mom's footsteps she is ahead of her time! Her passion for the industry shines through every guest that sits in her chair! She’s got beauty, style, and a heart of gold!

Q. What inspired you to become a hairstylist?

A. "My mom has always been my role model, and her love for hair inspired me to follow in her footsteps."

Q. Do you have any specialized certifications or areas of expertise?

 A. "I enjoy all aspects of the beauty industry, but my true loves are brunettes and uniform-hair colors. I am also certified in lash extensions!"

Q. How do you approach consultations with guests to understand their needs and preferences?

A. "Confidently for sure! The more questions the better so that I have the best understanding of my guest's hair goals."

 Q. What makes you feel most fulfilled in your role as a stylist?

 A. "When my guests leave feeling more confident when they came in and loving their hair!"

Q. What do you enjoy most about being a stylist at Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty?

A. "Being part of a hair family and always having a support system."

Q. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

 A. "I am a VERY old soul and a HUGE homebody!"

Q. How do you balance personal life with the demands of your career?

A. "I use my days off for myself and consistently include self-care activities!"

8. What do you do when you’re not behind the chair?

 A. " I love spending time with my boyfriend, two cats, and bunny :-)"

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self when you first started out, what would it be?

A. "Mistakes are normal, you can always grow from them."

Q. What is one thing you wish more people understood about the beauty industry?

A. "You can't always achieve your hair goals in one session sometimes depending on the starting canvas."

Get In Touch with Viviana:

Instagram handle: @levelupbeautyy_

Facebook: Vivi Raponi


Meet our Stylist Bionhka! She is our self-appointed interior decorator, and fashionista! She is dedicated to giving her guest's the highest quality looks while always keeping hair health her number one goal!

Q. What inspired you to become a hairstylist?

A. "I've always aimed to help others feel beautiful because everyone deserves to have confidence!"

Q. Do you have any specialized certifications or areas of expertise?

 A. "I adore lived in blonding and rich brunette looks."

Q. How do you approach consultations with guests to understand their needs and preferences?

A. "My objective is to clearly and concisely grasp what my guest aims to achieve. I ensure that we are aligned by presenting pictures and color samples for inspiration, all while prioritizing the health of the hair."

 Q. What makes you feel most fulfilled in your role as a stylist?

 A. "What brings me the greatest fulfillment is the ability to inspire confidence in other women."

Q. What do you enjoy most about being a stylist at Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty?

A. "I appreciate the family-like environment we've built and the continuous learning we receive."

Q. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

 A. "I am a huge gamer!"

Q. How do you balance personal life with the demands of your career?

A. "During my free time, self-care is extremely important to me."

8. What do you do when you’re not behind the chair?

 A. "I enjoy hanging out with my boyfriend, my dogs, playing video games, and cooking!"

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self when you first started out, what would it be?

A. "Give yourself some grace, success doesn't happen overnight it takes hard work and consistency."

Q. What is one thing you wish more people understood about the beauty industry?

A. "It's harder than it looks."

Get In Touch with Bionhka:

Instagram handle: @glammeddbyyb_


Meet our newest Team member our Salon Assistant Katelyn! She is currently assisting under salon owner Erin and is loving every minute of being in the industry! We can't wait to watch her grow!!

Q. What Inspired you to become a Hairstylist?

A. "I have always enjoyed having my hair styled and discovering the steps involved."

 Q. What do you enjoy most about being a salon assistant at Blush?

 A. "I enjoy learning new techniques and being surrounded by other talented hairstylists"

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you've received while working in the salon industry?

 A. "To never stop learning."

Q. Can you describe a memorable moment you’ve had while working in the salon, and what it taught you?

 A. "Erin double books and always juggles her schedule seamlessly, it has really taught me how to work under pressure and multitask."

 Q. What do you think is the most important skill to have as a salon assistant?

 A. "Being a good listener and always remain calm!"

Q. What services are you most excited about when you go on the floor?

A. "Color transformations"

Q. How do you handle multiple tasks at once while staying organized and focused?

 "Stay calm, take on the task you can get done the quickest."

Q. Who has been your biggest mentor or role model in the salon, and what have you learned from them?

 A. "Erin, she has shown me to not stress, keep calm, and trust in myself."

Q. Who has had the biggest influence on your life, and in what way?

 A. "My best friend Cyra, she always pushes herself to be the best version of herself and it is so inspiring to witness."

Q. What’s your favorite way to spend your free time or relax?

A. "I love to spend my free time with my family and friends. I really enjoy snowboarding in the winter!" 

Keep Up With Katelyn's Journey!

Instagram handle: @gettincutewitkate


Meet our Stylist Adrianna! She is devoted to making people look and feel their best. She looks forward to “hairapy” sessions with her guests!

Q. What inspired you to become a hairstylist?

A. "I’ve always had a love for art & helping people. Hair has allowed me to express that artistic side of me as well as making people feel beautiful in their own skin."

Q. Do you have any specialized certifications or areas of expertise?

 A. "I am certified in hair extensions & specialize in blondes."

Q. How do you approach consultations with guests to understand their needs and preferences?

A. "I start by listening to what the guest wants and asking about their daily routine and hair care habits. I look at their hair type as well to give personalized suggestions that fit their need."

 Q. What makes you feel most fulfilled in your role as a stylist?

 A. "I feel most fulfilled when I see my clients happy with their hair. Making them feel confident and beautiful is the best part of my job. "

Q. What do you enjoy most about being a stylist at Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty?

A. "I most enjoy the overall vibe at Blush & Co. The team is amazing, welcoming & fun which makes coming to work even better."

Q. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

 A. "One thing people would be surprised to learn about me is that I'm really into cooking and baking! I love experimenting with new recipes and trying to make delicious treats!"

Q. How do you balance personal life with the demands of your career?

A. "Balancing personal life and work can be a challenge no doubt! But I have found setting boundaries and making time for the things I love doing has worked perfectly."

8. What do you do when you’re not behind the chair?

 A. "When I’m not behind the chair, I love to go shopping, catch up on my favorite shows, or just hang out with friends."

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self when you first started out, what would it be?

A. "I'd probably tell my younger self to not stress so much and to embrace every mistake as a learning opportunity. It's all part of the journey! "

Q. What is one thing you wish more people understood about the beauty industry?

A. "I wish more people got that the beauty industry is all about creativity and confidence. Also, hair stylists aren't magicians! We can work wonders, and I always give 110%, but sometimes hair just won't cooperate due to many factors."

Get In Touch with Adrianna:

Instagram handle: @glamourbyadri


Meet our Lash Artist Maddisyn of Beauty by Maddisyn! She not only slays the lash extension game she also does brow tints & laminations, lash lift & tints, full body waxing, and express facials!

Q. What types of services do you specialize in, and what is your favorite service to perform?

A. "I Specialize in Lashes, brows, and full body waxing. Lash extension services are definitely my favorite!"

Q. Can you tell us about a specific treatment you’ve performed that resulted in a noticeable transformation for a client?

A. "Every service that I perform result in a noticeable transformation and my guest's leave feeling more confident."

Q. What’s your favorite lash style to create, and why do you love it?

A. "My favorite lash style has to be hybrids! They are very customizable and can vary in length and fullness.

Q. How do you ensure that you make clients feel at ease, especially if it’s their first time getting a full-body wax?

A. "I ensure that my guests are as comfortable as possible by having normal conversations with them and listening intently to their needs."

Q. How do you stay updated on the latest trends and techniques in brow artistry?

A. "I really just base it off what each individual is looking for as far as shape."

Q. How did you get started in the lash industry, and what drew you to becoming a lash artist?

A. "My journey started as a receptionist at a lash studio. I was fascinated by the process and decided to learn how to do it myself, from there I perfected my craft and eventually opened my own little lash studio :-)"

Q. What has been the most rewarding experience in your career as a lash artist so far?

A. "Building a clientele and making connections with my guests."

Q. What is your idea of the perfect weekend or day off?

A. "I love to relax in my clean apartment with my fiancé while we watch our favorite shows!"

Q. How do you stay motivated when facing personal challenges or difficult times?

A. "I try to just trust that everything will be fine in the end, everything always works out for the better."

Get In Touch with Maddisyn:

Instagram handle: @beautybymaddisyn

Facebook: Beauty By Maddisyn


Meet Emma of Emmarald Skincare! Her breathtaking custom facials will leave you feeling euphoric! Her talent doesn't stop there, she also does fully body waxing, brow laminations, and lash lift and tints!

Q. What first inspired you to pursue a career as a beauty professional?

A. "I was inspired to go into the beauty industry because it offers opportunities for creativity, from performing different facial treatments to experimenting with makeup and body care. I can express an artistic side while helping clients look and feel their best."

Q. What do you love most about being an esthetician?

A. "There's something truly rewarding about helping clients feel more confident and relaxed. Whether it's improving their skin health or simply offering a much-needed break from stress, I love the positive impact I can have on others."

Q.  What types of services do you specialize in, and what is your favorite service to perform?

A. "My specialty services are corrective facials, brow services and Brazilian waxes. I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite service I love them all!" 

Q. What has been the most rewarding part of your career as an aesthetician so far?

A. "The most rewarding part is gaining further experience and knowledge about the growing beauty industry. As well as helping others find confidence and comfort."

Q. What’s the most important thing you want clients to take away from their experience with you?

A. "Trust, communication, and consistency are key to achieving optimal results. I want clients to feel comfortable discussing any concerns and remember that maintaining healthy skin is an ongoing process, requiring a combination of professional treatments and at-home care."

Q. What steps do you take to make sure clients feel comfortable and relaxed during their treatments?

A. "I will always do these things to make clients comfortable by:

⁃ Respecting personal boundaries 

⁃ maintaining a professional and friendly demeanor 

⁃ clearly communicating and explaining each service process & aftercare

⁃ Set the atmosphere and allow time for relaxation." 

Q. What advice do you give clients before and after their waxing appointment to ensure the best results?

A. "Before Waxing Appointment:

• Gently exfoliate the area 24 hours before to remove dead skin cells and help prevent ingrown hairs. 

• Don’t sunbathe or use tanning beds for at least 24 hours before waxing. Sunburned skin can be more sensitive, and waxing over sunburned areas can cause irritation.

• Ensure your hair is about 1/4 inch long (the length of a grain of rice) for the wax to adhere properly. If it's too short, waxing may not be effective. If it's too long, it can be more painful.

• Don’t apply lotions, oils, or deodorants to the area being waxed on the day of the appointment. These can interfere with the wax’s ability to adhere to the hair.

• Choose loose, comfortable clothing that won't irritate the freshly waxed area, especially for bikini or leg waxing.

After Waxing Appointment:

• Keep the waxed area clean and avoid touching it with unwashed hands to prevent bacteria from causing irritation or infection.

• Apply a soothing lotion or gel, such as aloe vera, to calm the skin after waxing. 

• For at least 24 hours, avoid hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, or strenuous exercise that causes sweating. This helps prevent irritation and reduces the chance of ingrown hairs.

• After waxing, especially in sensitive areas like the bikini line, wear loose clothing to prevent friction and irritation.

• After about 48 hours, begin to gently exfoliate the waxed area 2-3 times a week. This helps prevent ingrown hairs by keeping the skin smooth.

• Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, or the ocean for 24-48 hours to prevent irritation, as chlorine or saltwater can cause discomfort on freshly waxed skin."

Q. How did you get started as a brow artist, and what led you to pursue this specialty?

A. "I started to pursue brows after working at Sephora as a makeup artist. I became fascinated with brow shaping and needed to learn more. I ended up going in the direction of laminations and tinting so that I have full control of how the hair lays, how the brow is shaped and how the hair color looks." 

Q. What are the most common misconceptions people have about lash lifts and tints, and how do you address them?

A. "A common misconception is people often assume that lash lift and tints will give them the same dramatic, full look as extensions, but they are a more natural enhancement, offering a subtler, more low-maintenance result. I am clear and confident explaining before the service time to ensure there aren’t any misunderstandings." 

Q. What’s your favorite way to practice self-care or relax when you need it most?

A. "My favorite form of self-care is doing any of the many hobbies I have. I love to read, thrift and cook! Taking time for myself is necessary when taking care of others on a daily basis."

Get In Touch with Emma:

Instagram handle: @emmaraldskincare_

Facebook: Emma Klecker

 
 
 

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