4/19/2020 0 Comments Love is in the hairI opened Stevi Loren Salon in 2008. I wanted my own salon with the vibe of a coffee shop. I wanted colorful decor to inspire creativity, cozy nooks with good reads, fun music & high energy vibes. I was dedicated to building a team of eccentric hairdressers with a passion for the industry. In 2016, I opened The Studio. I wanted to work solo in my own salon with a focus on enhancing the clients personal experience. I wanted a refined style with soothing decor in an intimate environment. I worked by appointment only and shared quality time with all of my clients. We would chat over coffee, order lunch from a local cafe or indulge in a glass of wine if they were the last client of the day. It was a special place for them to unwind from daily stresses. The reason I go into so much detail about the business vision I had for each place is because as you may have noticed, I rarely mention hair. It has always been more about the connection to my clients than the art of hair that has inspired me. Of course, I wanted to deliver high quality hair care but hairdressing was just the means to deliver the actual service that I wanted to provide. After 18 years in the industry, it is so clearly obvious that it was always about creating a space for people to feel comfortable and at peace, in an atmosphere that encouraged self acceptance and promoted confidence.
For years, I have been a counselor of sorts, a confidant. I have observed many stages of life through my clients. The newness of falling in love, the heartbreak if it falls apart, the excitement of weddings, the journey of pregnancy, the devastating news of illness or unexpected loss, the thrill of a new job, the anticipation of trips and the daily complexities of our lives. I've witnessed all this and more from behind my stylist chair and I've shared in the process. It has been my experience that often changes in the form of a hair style will correlate with some circumstance in your life that you can't quite process any other way. Perhaps you decide that you need bangs again after 5 years of growing out your old bangs or "a few more layers" or to freshen up your color... I can't tell you how many times someone has sat down in my chair and told me that they "just needed a change" while running their fingers through their hair and we ended up talking about what was really wrong instead. A change in outward appearances can certainly be a catalyst for bold, new ways of living but that is only the beginning. (Trust me, I know...I wrote a post years ago about why I originally colored my hair pink. I'll link to it right here if you're curious.) One of my best friends owns Grounded Beauty Studio in Corpus Christi, Texas. Her tag line for Grounded is "Bloom from within." So simply stated. You can have amazing hair and the best cosmetics, but if all your effort is placed on the outside, the inside will suffer. It feels as though I am stepping back from the traditional role of being a hairdresser and truly embracing the other side of what this career has taught me. How to hold space for women who desire change or a new way of being. How to be a better listener. How to live in the way that I desire while sharing my experiences with others. My motivation has always been to make people feel good and that is what I still aspire to do. I will keep my skills, as well as a few clients, and stay connected to the beauty industry, it will just look a little different. I am now a certified yoga teacher and I have always loved to facilitate events. I like to make pretty food and create beautiful homey spaces. Some day I’d love to own a retreat center of sorts, a traveler’s paradise, but my gypsy soul won’t settle down long enough to figure out where that place might be. So until then, thanks for following along as I create and share bits of myself in an effort to iron out all the details! Love, Stevi P.S. This week's theme in my Well-Being group is Beautiful. Each week we explore a different aspect of what I am calling "Fully Guided Journey" Each theme invites us to incorporate new daily practices in an effort to live a fuller life. Join us.
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