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Conversations with the Inspiring Sarah Tracy, Kerrie Chacon and Christie Lind

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Tracy, Kerrie Chacon and Christie Lind.

Sarah, Kerrie and Christie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We still laugh that it all started in a chandelier bar in Las Vegas! Now back up a few years….. Before Studio NineSevenO was even a thought, the three of us worked side by side at a salon for quite a few years as independent stylists. We all ran our own mini businesses inside a salon, providing client care and services, scheduling, bookkeeping, ordering and keeping inventory. We were in an environment surrounded by a lot of amazing, talented professionals and it was a great place to prepare us for our next adventure. Fast forward to the bar in Las Vegas. The three of us attended a three day Hair Conference that filled us with inspiration when we returned to grow as professionals towards our dream. We had never traveled together, and besides the occasional work get together, it was really the first time we connected outside of the salon. Things certainly meshed with the three of us, and just three months following the homecoming of that trip we were meeting regularly to discuss what opening a salon together would look like.

All we had was an idea, a fragment of nothing in space. We dissected every little detail, from what our space and logo would look like to the environment and energy that we wanted to create, including the hair products we would carry. We spent months pondering what the name of our brand would be. Finding that most everything is already taken or patented. We had to think about who we were and where we came from, bringing it back to basics, back to our roots. We all grew up in Northern Colorado and to this day, the home we love. We thought, what better than representing our area code in our brand, and Studio NineSevenO was born. After months of preparation and careful design planning we closed on our location in Windsor August 2016. With less than a month left before opening, with the help of our husbands, we performed a full remodel to bring to life the vision we had for NineSevenO. We were all still working full time behind the chair at our previous salon while trying to manage our new start-up in any spare time in between. That month was a whirlwind, and we grew from the struggles we endured and ended up opening our door shortly after on September 6th, 2016. When people say blood, sweat and tears go into building a business we experienced that to the full. But we wouldn’t change it for the world. We can look back at the tree wall we built, or the green wall we grew and be reminded daily of our growth and opportunities that lie ahead.

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?
Opening a business is extremely rewarding, but it comes with many challenges. The amount of work that is required to start a business in the forefront can be daunting. Including countless meetings to develop a 50-page business plan that outlined every detail, and taking this vision to bring it to fruition by completing all of the necessary steps. We found the key to this process is communication. With the lack thereof, because of the several different perspectives that are included in the process, problems will arise. We created visual boards and sketches to express ideas in every detail. We joke about bird eye view sketches that were drawn up still to this day. When you visit our Studio you notice this attention to detail that we included, from the shears on the wall to hold purses, to the beautiful chandelier above the shampoo bowls. Elements that create a culture, a unique space that is inviting and fun for guests and our team.

With three partners coming together, we also had three opinions that needed to find a compromise. A three-way partnership can often be tricky, but it makes us who we are by each one of us playing an important role. During the remodel two of the business partners were newly pregnant, and the 3rd had two young kids already which all created some obstacles. Balancing motherhood and business is no easy feat, but through the support of each other it has been an amazing experience to watch our business and families grow simultaneously. Our advice to other young entrepreneurs would be look for the difference in the detail. It is important to know and fully understand the ergonomics and aesthetic aspects for the business you are building. Many salons are built by business advisers rather than hairstylists, therefore including these elements make who we are just that more unique. Aim to make your team happy, they are your family. And in order for all parties to thrive, you have to thrive together. Change how you perceive the struggle. Our goal is to not avoid the struggle, rather embrace them, find solutions and grow as better businesswomen, stylists, and people. Attitude is everything. And don’t forget why you chased after your dream in the beginning, stay energized and motivated. Always strive to be the very best version of yourself, and have fun while doing it!

What should we know about Studio NineSevenO Hair Salon? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our business is definitely more than just a haircut and color. Besides getting a first-class hair service, what really sets us apart is our dedication to creating a connection in our community, starting with our team and ending with our guests. Our guests say that we have created an oasis. A place they can look forward to visiting. Where they have a friendly ear to listen, a place to let go of daily stresses and embrace relaxation and self-care. Doing hair is certainly a passion of ours, but the most rewarding aspect is our guest connection and their experience that we can provide. We are a charming and fun hair studio located in the heart of Windsor, CO. Our team is what makes all the difference, they are what make us unique. We are a family. A hardworking unit that is dedicated to our education, craft and guest’s well being. Beyond being creative and talented artists, our team wears many different hats.

From mothers and wives to artists and entrepreneurs. We are all driven by the desire to spread love and beauty. To make a difference one service at a time and to have fun while doing it. After only three years in business, we have created something uniquely special. We have had the honor of being labeled Best Salon of Windsor for three years running, a truly humbling achievement. Our goal is to set a high standard of service and create the best experience for our guests. We carry the best products including R+Co and Oribe that share our love for hair, our industry, and the importance of continued education.

When guests arrive, they enter into a chic yet natural and comfortable environment. Greeted with a smile, they are offered something to drink including infused water, coffee or tea. Each hair service includes a relaxing scalp massage with paraffin wax hand treatment and fresh steam towels. Our guests express how much they love to visit, leaving feeling great while having fun with friends and family. Guests can really feel the love that radiates through the air and the amazing family team element we have created. We aim to match that experience outside of the salon within our community by incorporating a large element of community outreach fundraising events. These include our annual Cancer Blows Fundraising event, guest appreciation events, donations to local businesses and/or charities and our giving tree during Christmas time. Our cancer benefit has raised over $9,500 for our local cancer center that provides financial assistance to those battling cancer. Our team donated their time to provide services and raise money to give back to the community. Our emphasis on giving back is a large foundation of who we are and the difference we are striving to make in our community. We are proud to offer our team, guests and community a place that feels like home at Studio NineSevenO. And we are inspired by the impact we can make and look forward to what the future has in store.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
No doubt there a lot of barriers holding women back in today’s world, but we’ve certainly overcome so many taking us further into our profession and leadership. As a society, we may view a lot of leadership roles as male-dominated, but our business is unique and predominantly made up of women. Within our industry the barriers that exist tend to come from competition across the industry and barriers we put on ourselves. We want to work together within our industry to make a difference. We live in an age that is consumed by the internet and social media, creating value in the importance of keeping up.

When we try to be like others, we often lose what makes us unique and special. We feel it is important than rather taking the path that is run down, take the one less traveled. Create a space where we can grow together and all become successful. Be the difference we wish to see in the world and not let the constant influence of keeping up with the Jones’s stray us from the goal at hand. And that is to be better, and do better for others by being yourself free of stipulations and judgment because there is only one you and the amazing gifts you bring to the world.

Pricing:

  • Women’s Haircut starting at $60
  • Men’s Haircut starting at $35
  • Color Staring at $85
  • Highlight stating at $100
  • Specialty color starting at $120
  • Facial waxing starting at $20
  • Special occasion starting at $75
  • Brazilian blowout starting at $200
  • Color correction starting at $80/hour
  • Conditioning treatment starting at $45

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Sierra Crow, Kerrie Chacon, and Trusted Photographer LLC

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