Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Halper.
Hi Regina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have had a love for the beauty industry since I was a young girl. My grandmother always took me to her weekly “beauty salon” appointments with her and that’s where I was really exposed to the business. The artistry, the social aspect, the energy of it all! I loved it!
I grew up watching and learning from any fashion magazine I could get my hands on and watching MTV. Fashion and beauty was so intriguing to me.
In school I was always a very good student. And had hopes of going to college but finances were not in my favor. So cosmetology school was definitely in my budget and off to that school I went. I loved it and excelled in it. My year in cosmetology school brought me to multiple competitions that I placed top spot in the county and state. That allowed me to compete at a national level where I placed in the top 10.
Immediately after graduation I went on to work in the salon. I assisted for a short time but I worked in a salon where that was short lived. I was kind of thrown to the wolves and had to learn real quick! I guess in some ways it helped build character and a thicker skin.
Over the years in my career I continued to work very hard all while raising my two boys. Salon ownership was not a priority during those years since they were my number one priority. But as they grew up and moved on I got the itch to do something for myself for once. I had spent my career working so hard for everyone else. Using my talents and hard work ethic to help their businesses and I had finally decided it was time to stop being behind the scenes. I wanted to take all the experiences I have had over the years, good and bad, and create an environment for stylists that was different from anything else they had experienced. My first venture was to have a two chair salon suite. My dearest friend,Stephanie, agreed to come along with me for this ride. And we quickly outgrew our little space! We were booked out with a waitlist and turning away new people every day. But because of our small space I was limited to how much money I could actually make without literally breaking my body down. So I started to look for larger spaces to rent. I was fortunate to find our current space. My original vision was to have maybe 4 or 5 chairs. But now that turned into 9 chairs, a headspa and wax room with 12 employees. I have such an amazing team that has come together to make our salon a go to spot in Linwood!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! Child rearing,marriage, and divorce were some hurdles along the way for sure! But also bumps and bruises come along with working in some toxic salon environments. Salon life is not for the weak. When I started in the business, the mindset was definitely a lot different. The meaner the seasoned stylists were the better they were at doing hair was the idea that was out there. And the meaner they were to the newbies. The ideals of mentorship and support were not something I experienced. My need for knowledge was met through many books and magazines. Tackling the sales reps when they came to the salon to share any educational classes that were possibly being offered that I could attend. The internet was still very new at the beginning of my career so these were my only resources. I would stand back and watch and learn any chance I got. Ask questions to any stylist that was willing to indulge me. All of these experiences pushed me to be a better example to any younger stylists coming to our industry. I wanted to ensure that I helped to curate a salon culture where my stylists felt seen, heard, and supported in every way possible! Happy stylists create a happy environment. Therefore making a great client experience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Hair has been my passion for as long as I can remember! I have become especially proficient in customized color for all needs. Whether it’s blonding services, color correction,gray blending, reds, I love it all! I feel that I have built such a great understanding of how color works down to the molecular level. I could geek out on color theory for hair all day! Because of this knowledge I feel that it has helped me to be a better stylist in so many ways. And has set me apart because it’s something a lot of hairdressers neglect to learn. They just blindly rely on the color in the tube without having a full understanding of how and why it works the way it does.
But I feel my biggest accomplishment is the relationships I have built with my clients and employees. There are some clients that have trusted me for over 30 years now. Words can’t express my gratitude for that! As for my employees, I make it a habit to always remind them they are valued and an important part of this salon.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My determination and work ethic has gotten me this far, without a doubt! I have learned that from my mom. She was a teen mom that raised me and my brother on her own. Her will to be better and do better was instilled in me as well.
I have never been handed a single thing. All that I have accomplished has been done with sheer determination and lots of hard work. But that has also made me a more compassionate person. I never take for granted anyone or anything!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chromatichairstudio.com/
