Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Wolf.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Julie. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
My story honestly started as early as I can remember. I started doing hair in my living room with a toy blow dryer at age two. I accompanied my mom to her hair appointments with her best friend and spent time with my aunt at the salon she worked at. And of course, as a teenager, I spent a lot of very messy days locked in the bathroom dying my hair black. It wasn’t so prominent in my life every single day but was definitely always in the back of my mind.
During my senior year, I learned about an opportunity to go to cosmetology school for high school credit. After I graduated, I decided to go to El Camino community college to take business classes while I finished my cosmetology hours. Soon after I finished my hours and got my license, I transferred to San Francisco State to finish my degree.
The goal was to get my license, get my degree and one day, eventually, open my own salon. “Eventually” came sooner than I thought it would when the opportunity for me and my good friend, Melissa Contreras, to rent a studio at the Salon Republic seemed too good to pass up. Three years later here we are!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has definitely not been smooth. We have struggled with everything from what color to paint the walls to how to achieve the ever-unattainable work-life balance.
Luckily my partner, Melissa, and I have always been able to work things out with whatever we’re struggling with. It definitely helps to have somebody to bounce ideas off of or cry ugly tears too.
We started this thing really young and really early into our careers. We had no idea what we were doing. But in the beginning, when we struggled the most, I had some of the greatest times of my life.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Studio 28 story. Tell us more about the business.
The business is a two-chair salon studio. I specialize in balayage and other brightening techniques. What I’m most proud of as an entrepreneur is how I’ve done things on my own terms.
There were a lot of things that I hated about working in bigger salons, but one thing that didn’t sit right with me was that it never felt very authentic. Being an entrepreneur and having my own space I’ve been able to show up 100% as myself. Because of that, I think, at least I hope, that my chair is a safe space for my clientele.
There are a lot of amazing stylists in LA, but I think what sets me apart is the full transparency I have with my clients. I try to be honest from the very first interaction I have with them. After seeing a lot of clients, it became very clear that setting the right expectation was more than half the work.
I’ve learned that a lot of people are disappointed with their hair because they were expecting something different, not because it actually looked bad. So, being honest with them about what they can expect has made all the difference.
What were you like growing up?
I was privileged enough to grow up in a beautiful home, in a beautiful city, with three loving parents. I have amazing friends that I’ve met in every stage of my life, so far, that I still have to this day.
I don’t take for granted all the opportunities I’ve had because my family gave me anything I ever could have ever needed or wanted. I also realize that the education that was available to me from the time I started kindergarten to the time I graduated from college, is not available to everyone who wants or needs it. I wouldn’t be where I am now without all of the support and love I’ve had my whole life. I’m extremely grateful for how far I’ve come and excited to see where I’ll go
Pricing:
- Haircuts $65
- Highlighting services $155 and up
- Other color services $75 and up
Contact Info:
- Address: 1601 Pacific Coast Highway
Suite 280, Studio 28 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 - Website: www.juliereneewolf.com
- Phone: 14242658543
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/juliereneewolf
Image Credit:
Jojo Cortez
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