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 OUR
STAFF
Karen O'Quinn
Founder & Master Stylist
Salon Chez Vous
It had taken 10 years in hospitality, 5 years in telecommunications
and a layoff before she got it. Karen O'Quinn finally
realized that the years of doing hair in elementary
school to college, and beyond, were fleeting. At almost
40 years old, she came to realize an almost missed
opportunity to fulfill her dream of becoming a master
stylist. The layoff forced her hand and Karen took
that step - one that, she says, would never have been
taken voluntarily
In 1995, the concept of SALON CHEZ VOUS was born,
when Karen became frustrated by long salon waiting
times. Why should a salon client have to wait? In
1996 she wrote her business plan, and women who didn't
have the time to wait to get their hair done, were
the clients that welcomed her service. For 6 years,
the business plan sat, while Karen eagerly anticipated
the right opportunity. Salon Chez Vous needed money
to bring the business concept to life. While working
on funding, the decision was made for her - the Altanta
operation where she worked, would close. One month
later Karen had her first client. Her dream was now
a reality.
As her clientele grew, Karen started to glean additional
color and cutting techniques and applied them to TreeBraiding.
There were others using the TreeBraiding technique,
but the mastery in color and cuts set her apart. Since
2004, Salon Chez Vous has been in existence, Karen's
client roster has grown to more than 300 women, with
90% being referrals. Her expertise has truly been
a blessing to her customer base, with 70-80% of them
being repeat customers making a transition from relaxed
hair to natural, or expressing a need to give their
hair a "rest". For the many women who suffer from
female and pre-mature balding, thinning and moderate
balding are transformed into a full head of hair.
Karen O'Quinn's work has been featured in Sophisticates
Black Hair, Fantasy Magazine, Braids International,
Black and Beautiful Hair (London England) and MAZZA
Magazine and has recently been invited as a participant
in the 2006 Golden Scissors Awards sponsored by Pantene
Pro-V. With calls from as far as San Francisco and
Montreal, Karen is planning expansion of Salon Chez
Vous in the near future.
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