Life & Work with Polly Sanders-Peterson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Polly Sanders-Peterson.

Hi Polly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was in 12 grade @ East High School, and my counselor brought me into his office and asked me what was i going to do for my career. I said “I will become an actress” Well Mr. Race said to tell me about my acting experience, after I told him i was back up in Oklahoma and other musicals, Mr. Race said “That will get you a cup of coffee”

Back to my class, I went and after a few weeks, I was back in his office. This time with a plan to go to Beauty Collage, no I said, but Mr. Race showed me all the benefits and how my grades wouldn’t earn me a scholarship, so we applied for the First African American to Win Full Scholarship @ Holly Wood Beauty Collage in downtown Denver. That is how I began my beloved Career as a hairdresser, now for 58 years and loving it! After much effort and knocking on many doors for a chance to work in a white salon back in 1966 in Denver, I was hired and went on to work @ the Famous Antoine du Chez in Cherry Creek North. After 5-7 years of working as a stylist, Paul Garcia, my former boss, called to let me I could buy his salon for $10.000, which I had saved as a single parent, and off I went to become to first African American Salon owner of Cherry Creek, Denver. I was gifted with great mentors, bosses, clients, and the blessing of God’s Favor.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As an African American working in a white industry in Denver, was very difficult to get salon owners to believe I could do white hair and that their clients would adapt to me. As a salon owner myself, it was difficult to get non-black hairdressers to work in my salon, as they saw it as a black salon. Also, it was difficult to pave the way for using products for nonblack hair on African American hair.

When I started in the hair industry I had very poor self-esteem, very little confidence, and struggled with insecurity. After great mentorship by Earl @ Earl Wood Salon, and Michael Taylor, of Antoine Du Chez, they taught me the value of service, excellent hair care, and styling and they pushed me into leadership and helped me to see myself as a “Leader” I went on to become Active member of the Board and Barbers Organization, President of local and State President of State Hairdressers association and won many awards, including Salon of Year, Best of 50 years of age in Denver by Denver Post Magazine and recently recognized in the first Hall of Fame Hairdressers.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently, I’m serving behind the chair as the longest-active hairdresser in Denver! (58 years) and loving it! I have owned Polly and Company for over 40 years and very thankful for all the great mentors, teachers, developers and open doors I have had. Especially as Educator for Redken and Revelon. My experience and expertise is in managing multi cultural hair and products for unrully hair and one of the most deverse hairdressers in Denver. Serving High end professionals, non black as well as multicultural and black.

Proud to have open doors for deverse hair styling and Product care in Denver and for many salons and stylists. As well building a long lasting clientel for over 58 years and my average clients has been with me for over 40-50 years.

What set me apart is my warm, caring, servicalble heart and style and love and Care of People! My consistency of 58 years only missing 6 and 1/2 weeks due to broken ankle and still very active serving my clients 4-5 days a week for 8 1/2 hrs per day. “I love my work and the women and men I server daily and it an honor to service and care for their hair needs as well as developing lasing relationships for over 40-50 years. (My salon is my Sanctuary)

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is the way my clients are greeted, serviced, and cared for as often as they come in, never taking them for granted or the quality of care they deserve and expect! and making sure they feel great and cared for while in their salon! and their hair care needs are met and they feel great when leaving knowing they just had the best time and listened to great music and enjoyed coffee or tea and great conservation! till next time! (a time of refreshing and renewing)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pollyandco.com
• Instagram: Polly Sanders-Peterson
• Facebook: Pollyandcompany
• Linkedin: Pollyandcompany
• Youtube: Polly Sanders-Peterson