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Life and Work with Grace Penhale and Krista Garcia

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Penhale and Krista Garcia.

Grace and Krista, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The two of us have always wanted to open our own salon before our careers even started it wasn’t until we met each other that we realized we didn’t want to do this salon ownership thing solo. (Grace) I had moved back from Barcelona and back to Denver where I grew up and jumped back into the salon, I was working at in RiNo 5 years prior before moving to LA. I had the whole vision come to me in Spain of opening this spot, the branding, the name, the vibe, it was a place where women could come, feel at home and be welcomed for who they are and leave with a sense of knowing their true inherent beauty, value and identity. Beauty does come from the inside out and hair is just the avenue in which we support other women and are able to speak into their lives about who they are given and help them feel just a little more beautiful by giving them some damn good looking hair!

(Krista) I left a salon I was at in LoDo and started booth renting in the same salon in RiNo as Grace. She was the only one that had talked to me during my first meeting at this new space with all the other co-workers. We had few conversations here and there the first couple days working together. I walked in the salon a week later after meeting Grace with my motorcycle helmet in hand and Grace was all excited because she couldn’t believe that just like her I rode a Harley as well. You could say after that we instantly became friends.

(Grace) Krista and I’s relationship grew more and more working with her and riding motorcycles around Colorado together. I had eventually asked her if she wanted to rent a chair in the salon I was looking to open (even though I never actually had a location locked down haha). Everything I had done with business was a leap of faith that it would somehow all work out even though I had ZERO idea of what the hell I was doing. Krista denied my request to rent a chair and two weeks later asked if she could be my business partner. I thought she was CRAZY, I told her I would think about it. We met at Crema days later, had a meeting and by the end of the meeting, we committed to being co-owners. I was so worried she was going to back out because I knew this would be a lot of work. But she was there the whole time. She is the perfect partner for me, we both balance each other out so well. I honestly know I could not have done all this stuff by myself.

So, I would say we got here because Krista and I had a mutual love for this industry, passion, a vision and worked our asses off harder than anyone else we knew, that’s how we knew we could do this together. We were scared shitless but we just kept walking in faith until a door would close and none of the doors closed on us, so we just kept going and now we are here 10 months into being open here at our little bungalow!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been hard, I don’t think just anyone can do this. Neither of us went to school for this stuff. We figured everything out by trial and error and by a lot of advice from people who do to taxes, run businesses, who are lawyers, financial advisors…but most of all we both have a really strong support of friends and family who believed in us. And Krista and I had each other to lean on. I think that’s the key to have at least one or two close people that are there for you when you need to cry and vent from the stress and encourage you and remind you of why you’re doing what you’re doing.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Holistic Salon – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
(Krista) We both cut and color hair. I specialize in blondes, extensions and balayage. Grace specializes in textured cuts, brunettes, balayage and vivid colors.

(Grace) We pride ourselves in taking care of our team and trying to create the best work-life balance for ourselves and our girls who work for us. We believe in health overall, mentally, spiritually and physically. The only way to really maintain longevity in this industry and avoid burnout is self-care.

(Krista) We also care a lot about the integrity of our guest’s hair. If you come in with really damaged hair and you’re fixin’ to damage it some more by some service you’re wanting, we won’t do it. Our top priority with your hair is health. Healthy hair is pretty hair.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
(Krista) Education is key. Go to classes, meet other stylists, do photoshoots, and fashion events. Connect with others in this industry and be genuine.

(Grace) I think having a mentor is huge in this industry, you don’t learn anything in beauty school other than how to pass your boards. I got lucky with my mentors I learned so much about color and cut from them. Instagram is also the best tool out there right now that I think everyone in business should be utilizing it and IT IS FREE!

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Image Credit:
(black and white photo of Krista and I) Sarah Grunder

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