Meet Rita Bellino of Rita B / Queen B

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita Bellino.

Hi Rita, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My father brought me into the Beauty/ Hair business when I was 14 yrs old. My twin sister and I became apprentices at 15 and got our licenses the same month we graduated from high school.
I entered and won my first hair styling competition at 17 and won first place the prestigious International Hair competition in NYC at 18. I proceeded to win numerous competitions in the following years.
I met my husband Erik who was a world acclaimed hair designer from Norway.
We married and I moved to Norway where I continued my career while raising children and traveling around the world teaching advanced techniques to Hair associations and Hair Designers in Europe, the U.S.and Japan,
We moved to Denver after the birth of my 3rd child in 1981 and opened our first salon n 1982 a week after the birth f our fourth child.
A few years later we divorced and I opened Rita’s Underground Salon in Cherry Creek that was wildly successful. Styling for fashion shows, the Denver Post fashion section,
Volunteering for the Colorado Ballet behind the scenes, styling for the Denver Nuggets, Modeling Agencies,etc.
Rita B’s won many “Best Of “awards also.
By this time my children were spending a lot of time in the Beauty Business and three of them decided to join in. They are all operating their own salons and are actively designing hair for men, women and children every day! A fourth generation granddaughter also has her license and is an administrator in her Mother and Step father’s salon.
When the kids wanted to open their own salons, I had an opportunity to open in 2007 in Aspen where “Queen B Salon” started. My kids gave me the name Queen B as they always look to me for answers!! I’m a lucky Mom.
After the pandemic, I opened Rita B Salon with my son Scott in Littleton as it was close to his home.
We have been working there since 2021 and love working together and sharing hair design and business ideas .
Since 2004 we have operated the Rita B Institute. Taking in students both for standard and apprenticeship programs through DPOS..
It’s inspiring to work with enthusiastic students and watch them grow in skill and confidence.
This has been my passion and life work.
I love to make women feel beautiful and give them a style that works for their individual needs.?
My passion is shared with my children. We can’t talk about the family without talking about our work.. it’s been our life!
People ask me how I got my kids to go to the business., we joke about it but I say” I told them not to do it!”! Kids always do what you tell them not to do.
After 62 years, I still love it ! It’s an honor !

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had many challenges along the way! Landlord challenges and employee challenges.
I always trusted the answers would come. Sometimes subtle and sometimes shocking. I always had faith even through tears sometimes.
The key is to pay attention and follow your gut because sometimes the solutions are subtle. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
I’ve had many angels along the way who showed up to help a single Mom of four to get us through tough times.
I’m grateful for all the blessings.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Rita B Salon and Institute in Littleton is my main business with my son Scott Lobben.
Where we create Hair designs , cuts, color, highlights, hair extensions, etc.
Queen B is a line of Hair and Skin products available in our salons and online. It’s listed under QueenBSalon.com

It started with formulating an organic treatment for dry hair which almost everyone in Colorado struggles with. It called “The Royal Treatment”. Ive had great success with it and it has helped women grow their hair longer and healthier.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
For my career: I want people to feel good about themselves and love their hair
For my family: that we have a loving environment while sharing our passion for family, work and big Italian dinners!

Contact Info:

• Website: Queenbsalon.com / ritabsalon.com
• Instagram: Ritabsalonlittleton