Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Olson.
Courtney, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The business of beauty was born into my blood. I felt like it was my destiny to continue the tradition of being part of the beauty industry. My grandmother was a hairstylist who owned her own salon in Los Angeles, CA and many of her cousins were stylists and barbers in the Chicago area. I knew from the time I was in high school that my next move was to attend the Cosmetology program at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, CA. I started my professional career at Texture Salon (now Ashtin Salon) in Corona del Mar, CA apprenticing under one of the most talented stylists I have ever met, Laura Lee. Texture was my salon home offering cut, color, and bridal services for 10 years before deciding to leave and explore the city of Chicago. Moving across the country and starting over at a brand new salon was one of the most challenging things I have ever chosen to do!
Luckily, I settled into a stylist/colorist position at Red 7 Salon in the River North area. After a short apprentice program to learn the ropes of not only a new salon but a new city as well, I felt very lucky to quickly build a solid clientele. Working alongside talented stylists for a little over four years was a great way to start a new beauty career in Chicago, but I knew I wanted to continue to grow professionally. Being a self-employed stylist and giving my incredibly loyal clients whatever they needed was something I missed from my days of styling in California. January of 2015 was the launch of our most rewarding move yet, opening Studio Noir Chicago located in the Magnificent Mile area inside of Phenix Salon Suites! Vintage glamour, expressive color, and a fine-tuned cutting mark the inspiration behind Studio Noir. After one year working side by side with business partner Lauren Lampa, we decided to expand the business and welcomed the addition of Stephanie Bloom to our team. Studio Noir offers cut, color, styling, extensions, and special occasion services. Working every day with two other incredibly talented stylists and watching our brand continue to build with each of our unique styles is one of the most rewarding feelings. I can not thank my clients enough for the support they have given me over the past 8 years in Chicago. This is just the beginning for us and we are looking forward to what the near future brings!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Getting to where I am now in the beauty industry has definitely involved a lot of perseverance! There are so many ups and downs in any service industry. Starting out behind the chair, your biggest concern is to build a clientele and continue to see repeat smiling faces. Once you’re there keeping up with education, trends, and creative ideas for those clients is a must. The beauty industry is an ever-changing business. Growing with those changes to be the best stylist for your guests can feel stressful. It’s not just about doing hair. Social media, branding, communication with clients, and the location of your business are only a few additions to our field. Knowing I wanted to give more to my clients while having the flexibility for my own life was the tipping point for me to leave and open my own business. Finding a balance of personal time and professional time is one of the most important things in our industry. We can only give 100% to others if we take time for ourselves as well!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Studio Noir – what should we know?
Our passion for hair and beauty can be seen in the unique and personal experience we create for each and every guest that comes into Studio Noir. Working alongside two other incredibly talented stylists creating our brand has been an amazing experience for us to share with our guests. We created a sort of mission statement for Studio Noir that encompasses what we try to convey as stylists: “Studio Noir, Chicago’s premier hair studio, is a trio of highly skilled, independent hair artists providing an intimate, personalized experience in a cozy-chic environment. Our collaboration works through our shared passion for our work and our industry. Each of us brings their own technical expertise, allowing us to meet any demand and accommodate any need for your hair.” Being able to recognize each of our client’s unique personalities and then create a look that defines who they are is something we strive to do each day on every guest. No two people are the same, nor should their hair!
Continuing education has been a driving factor in honing and developing our skill sets over the years. Each of us specialize in our favorite areas of hair dressing. Lauren is a Master Educator for Hotheads® Hair Extensions customizing extensions for any need. Creative color, corrective cuts, or simply filling out a style, there are endless possibilities for each custom extension application. Stephanie is a styling and cutting Diamond.KEY educator for KEVIN.MURPHY. Her specialty lies in customized haircuts and styles for all lengths and textures of hair capturing each individuals personality in the detailing of their hairstyle. My specialty falls in color. Corrective or transitional color, blonde and gray coverage, and my favorite, fashion color placement. Pravana Vivids and Pulp Riot are my go to color brands to deliver head turning color in a custom look designed for each client. Besides our specialty services, Studio Noir offers cutting and styling for both men and women as well as on site or in salon bridal services.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women are well positioned to understand each other, whether that be professional to client or professional to professional. We are an industry that is made up of mostly women, but sadly, men still get most of the recognition. And because we deal with beauty, we have to deal with societal standards. Often that involves pitting women against each other. Because we are female dominated, we have an amazing opportunity to choose to lift one another up. We have access to that power both in our one on one interactions with clients and through education. There are some amazing social media groups that connect stylists all over the globe and offer access to knowledge sharing, advice, and support. Even when negativity creeps in, I usually see it collectively shut down. By elevating each other as artists and women, we have the access to elevate our entire industry. Positively building one another up is very important right now, and having the ability to do so within the salon is an amazing opportunity.
Pricing:
- Women’s Cuts – $75 Men’s Cuts – $55
- Single Process Color – $95 – $115 Single Process with Highlight – $185 – $205 Toner/Gloss – $25
- Highlighting/Balayage services $100 – $170 Color Correction/Fashion Colors – $100 per hour (consultation required)
- Updos & Special Occasion Styling – $85 – $115 Bridal Styling – $200 (travel pricing upon consultation)
Contact Info:
- Address: Studio Noir Chicago
100 E Walton St, Suite 119 (inside of Phenix Salon Suites)
Chicago, IL 60611 - Website: https://www.studionoirchicago.com/
- Phone: (714) 315-5707
- Email: CO.Beauty13@gmail.com or info@studionoirchicago.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studionoirchicago/ @studionoirchicago
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtney.o.hair.5
Image Credit:
Honeybrown Photography, Melanie Kane Photography
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