Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Zavodny.
Hi Carolyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 20 years, but my journey has definitely evolved along the way. I went to cosmetology school in Chicago in 2002 and eventually made my way back to Colorado, where I’ve been building relationships with my clients since 2004.
For a long time, I was focused on traditional hairstyling, but as my own life changed, so did the way I looked at beauty and wellness. After having kids, I became much more intentional about natural living and started learning more about what we put on and in our bodies. That curiosity eventually made its way into my work behind the chair.
Over the years, I became increasingly passionate about scalp health, clean ingredients, and the connection between our overall well-being and our hair. That led me to holistic scalp care and eventually to Japanese Head Spa. I traveled to Osaka, Japan, to train with Eikonic Academy in the traditional YUME Head Spa method, and it completely shifted the direction of my career.
Today, through Desert Pearl Holistic Salon and Desert Pearl Holistic Academy, I get to combine everything I’ve learned over the years—hair, scalp health, holistic wellness, and education. I love helping clients look at their hair and scalp from a bigger-picture perspective, and I especially love helping other stylists create a more holistic experience for their own clients.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not! There have been a lot of twists and turns along the way. I’ve had seasons of burnout, big life changes, and times when I questioned what I really wanted my career to look like. I’ve partially stepped away from the industry, changed directions, and had to start over in different ways. Behind the chair and in life in general.
I think one of the biggest struggles was feeling like I had to fit into the traditional idea of what a hairstylist’s career was supposed to look like. It took me a while to realize I could create something that actually aligned with my values and the kind of experience I wanted to give my clients.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the hard seasons because they pushed me to slow down, pay attention, and build something that feels much more intentional. What started as a passion for hair has grown into a passion for scalp health, holistic wellness, and helping other stylists find a path that feels right for them too.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Desert Pearl?
My business is Desert Pearl Holistic Salon and Head Spa, where I specialize in holistic scalp care, Head Spa, and traditional hair services—all approached through a holistic lens. My Head Spa is my own curated approach, combining my holistic philosophy with the traditional Japanese techniques I trained in while studying in Osaka, Japan. It’s not about simply following a trend or offering a cookie-cutter treatment—it’s about creating an intentional experience that supports scalp health, relaxation, and overall well-being.
I still love doing traditional hair services, but I’ve changed the way I approach them. From the products and ingredients I use to the way I care for my clients’ scalp and hair, I try to look at the bigger picture rather than just the finished style. What sets my work apart is the way I bring together my years of experience as a hairstylist, my passion for clean ingredients and natural wellness, and my traditional Japanese training.
I also created Desert Pearl Holistic Academy, where I work with hairstylists to bring a more holistic approach into their own businesses. For some, that might mean simply changing the way they approach the services they already offer and enhancing their existing offerings. For others, it might mean going all in and adding Head Spa to their menu. I love looking at what each stylist is already doing and helping them build on it in a way that feels authentic to them, their business, and their clients.
I’m most proud of the fact that Desert Pearl has become more than just a salon brand. It represents a different way of looking at beauty—one that considers the whole person. Whether I’m working with a client or educating another stylist, my goal is to bring more intention, education, and wellness into the beauty industry.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think curiosity and genuine connection have probably been two of the biggest things behind my success. I’ve never been someone who is comfortable just doing things the way they’ve always been done. I’m always asking questions, learning, trying something new, and looking for ways to do better—for myself and for my clients.
At the same time, I really value personal relationships. I’ve always believed that this industry is about so much more than hair. It’s about getting to know people, building trust, listening, and creating a space where people feel genuinely cared for. Some of my favorite parts of this career have been the relationships I’ve built with clients and other stylists along the way.
That curiosity is what led me to explore natural living, dive deeper into scalp health, travel to Japan for training, and eventually create my own approach to Head Spa. And my love for connection is a big part of why I enjoy educating and mentoring other stylists.
I think staying curious and staying connected have allowed me to evolve throughout my career without losing the personal side of what I love about this industry.
Pricing:
- Holistic Scalp Facial $185
- Holistic Haircut $150
- Traditional Haircut $90
- Color starting at $90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/thedesertpearlsalon
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolyn.zavodny
