May 8, 2017

Meet Keli Wriston of Roots Hair Salon in River West

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keli Wriston.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I started in the salon industry pretty young. My first job ever was as a shampoo assistant at the age of 13, and it was at that time that I fell in love with the lifestyle at first. I loved the community, I loved how everyone new so much about each other and how the stylists where so much a part of their clients lives. It didn’t feel like a job, it felt like an all-day hang out with a creative flair, people talked, had snacks, smoked cigarettes (you could smoke in salons back then as each station was equipped with a pedestal ashtray) and did hair all day. So if being honest that was the appeal.

So I went on to beauty school when I was a junior in high school through our schools vocational program. I went to high school left early and went to beauty school for the rest of the day , which went towards my elective high school credits, so that was a big win for me. Meanwhile working part time still as an assistant at a salon for a young woman Sue Ann Johnson who was opening her first salon, a small business. Where I got to see first-hand what it looks like to start a salon from the ground up. I learned a lot from her as a stylist and from the perspective of a business owner (owning a salon was a lot more work than just the all-day hangout I was expecting at 13). From there I went to graduate high school, acquire my cosmetology license and start working full time as an assistant specializing in color at Zano Salon in Naperville, IL.

There I met a myriad of incredibly talented people who would really shape the kind of hair stylist/colorist I would be. There was so many amazing people there but the one who stands out most, and I still reference today is my mentor at Zano’s Anthony Tuzzolino. He is truly one of the greats and one of the most inspiring people I was lucky enough to work with. Since I started as a young stylist I guess you could say I grew up in salons making many choices and changes, acquiring tons of learning experience, growing pains and all regarding my life and career. So at 19 I moved to the city and would proceed to work at a number of salons of all types and sizes from Charles Ifregan on Rush street, to Milio’s in Lakeview, Macdaddy Salon in the west loop, Thomas West downtown, and everything in between, meeting tons of incredible people and artists, soaking up experience, skill, and maybe even wreaking a bit of havoc along the way…it happens. Which brings me to now with 20 years of experience as a hairstylist I find myself incredibly grateful to have the opportunities I’ve had and continuing this life journey creating and growing with so many. For 8 years now I have been and still love working at Roots Hair Salon in Chicago, where I find such a strong sense of community and family. Surrounded by a group of people that challenges me to continue to grow, inspires me creatively, and embraces inclusiveness and individuality. It’s been an eventful excursion getting here but I wouldn’t trade any of it. It truly is an amazing gift.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been my experience that there are always challenges when working towards your life/career goals. It has not always been easy. As you know, I pretty much grew up in the salon industry and as a young stylist making my way I made a number of mistakes and hasty choices, as well as having some personal struggles along the way. However all of it has given me a great deal of opportunity for growth and learning experiences. Starting new salons, for whatever reason, for me was always challenging rebuilding a clientele, but it has always offered a chance to do things differently, better, having tons of great support always invited growth, and for that I’m very lucky and super grateful.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Roots Hair Salon story. Tell us more about the business.
Well I work as a full time stylist at Roots. I love doing it all cuts, colors, updos, etc. I’m also interested in exploring more into the realm of education, I love working with Aveda products, specifically the color line, so I’d like to dive a little deeper there moving forward. I’m not sure about “specializing”, but I have a great love for doing color and exploring endless possibilities with different techniques and formulas. As a salon what I’m most proud of is the inclusiveness, the strong culture, and the community. The environment is inviting, people just want to be there.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think this industry is always and constantly growing, changing, and evolving. It’s hard to say what it will look like in 5-10 years or where your road will take you. But what you can pretty much always count on is that it will be different, bold and relevant. And I’m super excited to be a part of it!

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