Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ballantyne.
Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My cosmetology journey began in 2007, but truthfully, it started long before that. Ever since I was young, I had a natural flair for hair. I was always doing my friends’ hair, and I loved getting my own done too. There was something about sitting in that chair and walking out feeling like a completely new version of yourself that just lit me up inside. I wanted to give that feeling to everyone around me.
When I finished high school, I made the decision to enroll in cosmetology school, and it remains one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only did I walk away with a career I am truly passionate about, but I also made lifelong friendships, including one of my coworkers today. We graduated together and she still works alongside me at Allure Artistry, which makes it that much more special.
As I grew in my career, working with different salons and incredible leaders along the way, I began to develop my own vision. I soaked up as much knowledge and experience as I could, and eventually I knew it was time to branch off on my own. I wanted to create a space that was not just a salon but a true experience, a place where my team could balance their careers, their families, and their lives, and where every single client felt seen, pampered, and at ease.
The person who has been at the center of all of it, my greatest inspiration, my biggest supporter, and the one who helped me build this vision from the very beginning, is my husband Justin. Together we have built not just a business but an entire life around a shared dream, and I think it is one of the most amazing things I could ever say, that my husband is also my business partner. He has believed in me every single step of the way, and none of this would exist without him by my side.
I also have to give so much credit to my father-in-law John, who truly inspired me to take that leap and open my own salon. His encouragement and belief in me gave me the confidence to move forward and turn my vision into a reality. Alongside him, my mother-in-law Alison and the entire Ballantyne family showed up for me in ways I will never be able to fully put into words. They helped us build this dream from the ground up, and I am so incredibly grateful for each of them. I was truly blessed to marry into such a wonderful family. They have always treated me as their own, and I would not be where I am today without them.
When it came time to design Allure Artistry, I was so blessed to do it alongside my family. It actually came together in a really meaningful way following the pandemic. During that time, working every other station and staying six feet apart, I noticed something unexpected. My clients were more relaxed. Conversations were more intimate. The energy was calmer and more connected. That experience shaped everything about how I designed the salon.
I made sure every station was thoughtfully spaced out so that even on our busiest days, each guest has their own sense of privacy and comfort. We even have a private suite for clients who are working remotely or simply prefer a more personal setting, and people genuinely love having that option. Our washroom is separate, the stations are separated, and the entire layout flows in a way that feels intentional. We designed it to feel like a beautiful home, with tile, warm wood floors, bright white walls, and a clean aesthetic that gives off a cozy yet elegant, wooded country feeling. It is a space I am incredibly proud of.
It has been almost five years since we opened, and being my own boss has allowed me to bring every piece of that vision to life. Our team continues to grow, and one of the things I am most proud of is that we build our schedules around our team members’ lives too. Whether that means time with family, personal pursuits, or simply having breathing room, work life balance is something we take seriously here.
Two months after opening the salon, Justin and I decided to renovate the existing barbershop located in the mall. As we worked through the challenges of staffing, Justin stepped up in the most incredible way. He went to barber school, got his license, and took over Bagheera’s Barbershop. He is an amazing barber and the most incredible partner, both in business and in life. Together we have built something that truly serves our community, from families and children to grandparents, so many of our guests overlap between both businesses and it is the most wonderful thing to be a part of.
We are so grateful to be located in Panther Valley Mall. Our landlords Keith and Sheryl have been absolutely stellar, and we could not be more thankful for them. What makes our little corner of the world so special is that all of the businesses and business owners here genuinely support one another. That sense of community means everything to us.
As we head into signing our fifth year lease, I could not be more excited about what is ahead. Our team is growing, our community is thriving, and I am just so incredibly happy and grateful for all of it.
I am so honored to have such an amazing team who has grown with me, continues to grow with me, and shows up every single day. We lead each other, lift each other up, and push one another to be better. And to our incredible clients, guests, and the community that has supported us since the very beginning, I truly would not be here without every single one of you. Your loyalty, your love, and your support mean more to me than words could ever express. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
You know, I think every business owner would tell you that the road is never perfectly smooth, and I am no different. But what I can say is that the longer I have been in this journey, the better I have gotten at handling whatever comes my way. That did not happen overnight though.
There were definitely moments where I had to just take a breath, lean on my faith, and trust that things would work out. God has truly been my anchor through all of it. When things felt hard or uncertain, that is where I always came back to.
You learn so much through the bumps. Like when we decided to open Bagheera’s Barbershop just two months after opening Allure Artistry, staffing was really tough and there were moments where I honestly did not know how it was all going to come together. But it did, and Justin stepping up the way he did was nothing short of a blessing.
Something else that really helped me through the harder seasons was the people right here in this mall. I cannot say enough about our fellow business owners. We talk, we share, we figure things out together, and that has meant so much more to me than I ever expected it would.
At the end of the day I think challenges are just part of it. They are not always fun in the moment but looking back every single one of them shaped me, shaped this business, and got us to where we are today. And having Justin, my faith, and such a strong support system around me made all the difference in the world.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Hair is truly my craft and my passion, and color is where my heart lives. I love everything about it. Lived-in blondes, rich brunettes, vibrant reds, dimensional balayage and foilayage, highlights, you name it. Every single client that sits in my chair is a blank canvas and my goal is always to create something that is uniquely theirs. I take into account their lifestyle, how much maintenance they want, what makes them feel like themselves, and from there we build something together. It is never a one size fits all approach here and that is something I take a lot of pride in. Personally, my two greatest passions and where I truly specialize are blonding and hair extensions, but I also genuinely love a great haircut and a beautiful blowout. There is something so satisfying about a precision cut that falls perfectly and a blowout that makes someone feel like they are walking out of a magazine. Those things never get old for me either.
And honestly that passion runs through our entire team. Every single person who works at Allure Artistry brings something special to the table. Each stylist has their own area of expertise, their own strengths, and their own things they truly love doing, and that energy comes through in the work. We are not just a group of people working in the same space. We are a team that genuinely loves what we do and loves doing it for our clients. We also believe strongly in continuing education because this industry is always evolving and we want to make sure we are always growing, always learning, and always bringing the best and most current techniques to our guests. Whether it is a new color method, an updated extension technique, or the latest in hair health and treatments, we are always investing in our craft and in ourselves.
Beyond color, we specialize in precision cuts, styling, blowouts, and professional smoothing treatments like the Brazilian Blowout and Magic Sleek for anyone looking for sleek, frizz free, beautiful hair that lasts. Hair extensions are also something we really love doing. We offer K tip, hand tied, wefts, tape ins, and custom pieces, and we work with incredible brands like Bellami Hair, Aqua Hair Extensions, KOVI, Perfectress, and Halo Couture. There is truly something for everyone and we love being able to customize that experience for each guest. We also offer makeup services for special events because we love being part of those big beautiful moments in people’s lives, whether it is a wedding, a milestone birthday, or any occasion that deserves to be celebrated in style.
We are also very intentional about everything we use in the salon. Our color lines include Schwarzkopf Professional and Innersense Color Purity, which is our clean ammonia free and PPD free option for guests who prefer a more gentle approach to color. For glazes and glosses we love Redken Shades EQ, Innersense, and advanced toning blends. Our retail and backbar products include Malibu C, Truss Professional, Color Wow, K18, IGK, and Innersense Organic Beauty because healthy hair is always the foundation of everything we do.
Something I am really proud of that a lot of people notice right away is the design of the salon itself. We were able to create a whole vision around the swan, which to me represents elegance, grace, and beauty, and it carries through everything from the aesthetic of the space to the experience we want every guest to feel when they walk in. It is something that was really close to my heart when we were designing the salon and I love that it resonates with people the way it does.
But honestly what sets us apart more than any service or product is the way we make people feel. That has always been the whole point for me. When someone leaves here feeling confident, beautiful, and genuinely taken care of, that is what it is all about. That feeling never gets old and it is why I love what I do every single day
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Honestly I am always listening to something. I think when you are a business owner your mind never really fully shuts off, so I love using that energy and filling it with things that actually help me grow.
Over the years I have listened to so many business podcasts, a lot of them from other hairstylists and salon owners who have been through similar experiences. There is something really powerful about hearing from people in your own industry who just get it. They understand the unique challenges of running a creative business, managing a team, and trying to balance it all at the same time. Social media has been such an incredible resource for finding those voices and Spotify makes it so easy to just plug in and learn wherever you are.
I also really got into audiobooks and one that I would absolutely recommend is “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber. It is geared toward small business owners and it really digs into the reality of what it means to build and run your own business rather than just being good at what you do. It helped me think about things differently and approach the business side of things with a whole new perspective. It is the kind of book that feels like someone is talking directly to you.
At the end of the day I think the biggest thing is just staying curious and staying open. Whether it is a podcast on the way to work, an audiobook while you are getting ready, or just connecting with other business owners and learning from each other, it all adds up. You never stop growing and I think that mindset is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AllureArtistryofAllamuchy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allure_artistry_salon?igsh=aHl0YXBlanE3cXRx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AtUNgiv4o/?mibextid=wwXIfr
