May 8, 2017

Meet Karen Marie Vanoni & Benjamin Rossi of Karen Marie Salon in Bucktown

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Marie Vanoni & Benjamin Rossi.

Chicago native Karen and Benjamin are co-owners of KAREN MARIE SALON. Having met on a L’Oreal Paris national tour, Karen as a color consultant and Benjamin as the tour production manager. With Karen’s salon experience and Ben’s ability to build and re-build salons over and over as well as a graphic design background they joined forces shortly after tour to concept and open KAREN MARIE SALON Nov 10th of 2009.

Searching for spaces along the Milwaukee corridor they found a storefront next to their friends wine shop Red & White Wines and became one of a few businesses at Oakley and Milwaukee. Seven years later the neighborhood is flourishing and KMS is still a thriving part of the community, donating too many area schools, parks and green organizations.

With over 15 years’ experience, certified master colorist Karen Marie is the creative director. Her experience and training include working with stylists and educators from Vidal Sassoon Toronto, Toni & Guy California, Beth Minardi NY, Redken NY, and Wella.

“We created a space where stylists can come and express their skill and creativity, we are enabling the team to flourish and grow in a more relaxed yet professional environment. When one teammate learns a new technique or style, we all learn!”

It is important to make a positive impact on the beauty industry not only by providing a warm and comfortable salon experience but also by creating an eco-friendly sustainable salon. They have both been participating in a green lifestyle so it made sense to carry it over to the salon. Use of an old factory space with an original concrete floors, stations created from Wisconsin barn wood and several other re-purposed fixtures and materials. 100% WIND FARM sourced electricity, low flow shampoo heads, LED bulbs, NEST thermostat, and heat reflecting blinds are a few of the many green contributions.

The space also serves as gallery for local artists and as an event space which has recently featured a monthly show by Las Locas Comedy, an all-female comedy showcase featuring Latin women.

Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t know if any small business history can be considered a “smooth road”. Of course there are many personalities you have to balance in a salon environment and that probably is the biggest challenge.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the KAREN MARIE SALON story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a hair salon focused on embracing the clients’ natural hair and enhancing the color and style without going into an artificial realm.

We focus a lot on the community and environment through many different avenues. We are most proud of our talented staff and our work.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We see advancements in the science and technology behind our products and tools. We see an industry that learns from its past, and continues to provide solutions for improving our lives behind the chair, our clients lives, and our world as a whole.

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