Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Alexander.
Ryan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to Chicago to pursue cosmetology school a month after completing high school. After completing cosmetology school at the Aveda Institute Chicago I went back and received my Cosmetology Educators license. After absorbing all of the virtues and techniques Aveda had to offer I moved on to and educator and top stylist role at a Toni + Guy salon. Learning how to deconstruct haircuts and hair color I found my passion in lived in, effortless hair and vibrant, unique street style. In June of 2016 I left to open a private suite to offer the services I do in a space I could make reflect myself to the fullest capabilities and give every client I see the time and attention I feel they deserve.
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?
Obviously, I think if anyone said the road to where they are now, especially with a small business, was completely smooth I think they’d be lying to an extent. There are definitely factors in both owning a business and working for yourself that you constantly have to iron out as time goes on. At the same time, I am the happiest I’ve ever been and I get to spend every moment I’m at work having and amazing time and spending it with amazing clients.
Please tell us about Ryan Alexander Hair.
As a company, I think I stand out from the aspect, as cliché as it sounds, that I genuinely care about each and every person I come into contact with. I want people to be happy and look their best. It’s the reason I’m in the industry I am. I specialize in lived in, but trendy styles. My two main specialties are balayage, custom hand painted highlights, and unnatural, fantasy colors. My main goal, especially as someone with a more eccentric style, is to prove that unnatural hair color can be just as beautiful and approachable as a hair color found in nature. I pride myself and my company in being an open, loving environment. The last thing I wanted to make sure when opening my business was that everyone would feel included and welcomed in my space.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite memories from my childhood was when I would get to come up to Chicago to visit my aunt. She was always extremely eclectic and inspiring in the way that she supported me and both of my siblings in anything we wanted to do wholeheartedly.
She would always buy me face paints and different colored temporary hair dyes to play with when I would visit her and would let me do her makeup and style her hair. Her apartment always had vibrant colored walls and ceilings with beautiful decorations from all different cultures so it was almost like taking a short vacation in a small art museum.
I definitely find myself especially in my craft pulling inspiration from her quite often.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $60
- Balayage $160+
- Creative Color $175+
- Single Process Color $90+
Contact Info:
- Address: 2860 N Broadway St
Floor 2 Suite 5
Chicago, IL 60657 - Website: www.ryanalexanderhair.com
- Phone: 2194330955
- Email: ryanalexanderhair@gmail.com
