Conversations with the Inspiring Olivia Scott Lane

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Scott Lane.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Olivia Scott. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started in my college dorm room, dubbed Salon 331! As an avid 90’s raver, I always dabbled in hair coloring and styling back in Tucson, Arizona. When I moved to Los Angeles over a decade ago, I was a travel agent looking for a big change… I went back to school for art therapy and photography, not finding my stride in either. I epitomized the LA-in-your-twenties cliche of working the most random jobs known to mankind… everything from reality TV production to selling office supplies door to door to slanging Brazilian meats to picking avocados in the Hollywood Hills to planning memorial services at a comedy club. Bartending and serving at every restaurant from The Abbey to SaddleRanch on Sunset (small, very PROUD radius) introduced me to so many talented and ambitious people in the entertainment industry. I found myself becoming more and more involved in the behind the scenes antics of music videos, comedy sketches, and short films. I styled my best friend’s wardrobe and hair for her country music shows all over Los Angeles (picture two blondes getting ready in the GoGo Dancer bathroom of a gay bar, screeching down the Sunset Strip covered in hair spray and rock’n’roll dreams, hawking tickets to The Whisky in leather boots as high as our ponytails and aspirations), as well as, styling my favorite comedienne for various sketches, YouTube shows, and concept reels.

After several years, these two lovely ladies had a brilliant idea – that had never crossed my mind! Because I LOVED styling so much and always had a blast, I never considered it an actual JOB. My friend Shannon urged me to attend Cosmetology School (which, at 30 years old, was quite daunting) and made me sign a bar napkin in red wine to promise my attendance. After two grueling and rewarding years at West Valley Occupational College in Woodland Hills, I sashayed into a brand new career! Due to an unfortunate incident years earlier with * trigger warning to other stylists * box dye, I met a truly Southern gentleman named J Travis Walters, that became a mentor, teacher, and boss. He hired and trained me at DryBar and Ulta Beauty where I took as many classes as I could to soak up new techniques and styles before going off on my own. After a brief stint styling for TV (turns out, not being my own creative boss is NOT for me), I opened my own studio in West Hollywood! I share a suite in Salon Republic with the most talented and fun group of stylists where we serve wine and whiskey, rock out to everything from CCR to Dirty Heads to pop princesses of today and yesteryear, and are cascaded in the sunshine, love, and the glow of the Hollywood Hills. I specialize in blonding, vivids and pastels, beachy mermaids, extensions, bro’lites, and festival styling… and I live for a transformative before and after mome #HairByOliviaLane.

I never dreamed of a career where every day felt like a fun-filled laugh fest with best friends AND afforded me the luxury to do what I love – travel, drink wine, mosh at rock shows, and be an activist and LGBT ally. I am forever grateful.

Great, 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?
I believe in the power of manifestation and positive thought. Make sure to put your air mask on before the person next to you. You are of no help to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself first. That doesn’t translate to being selfish… to me, it means, make time for sunshine. Make time to do what fills your soul – be it travel, music, and adventure like it is for me or good old fashioned sleep! There’s nothing that can’t be solved with SALT —- sweating it out, the rim of your margarita, or, my personal Church, the Ocean!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Being a part of the beauty industry has taught me so much about continuing my education and supporting fellow stylists. There is MORE than enough room in this industry for everyone and the energy within Salon Republic and my studio specifically is so uplifting and collaborative. As a stylist, I believe I offer much more than just hair. I remember details about my clients’ lives that make them feel special and am truly invested in every aspect. I’m proud when my clients nail that audition, land that promotion, or make their first date swoon! I really love bohemian blondes and drastic transformations but I think my clients would say they love me most for my ridiculous stories and #Hairapy. 😉

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
The beauty industry is very equal opportunity and forward thinking in regards to women and other marginalized groups and I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of it. Biologically and ancestrally speaking, women are natural leaders. If we focus on lifting each other up, there are no bounds to our success.

Contact Info:

• Address: Salon Republic / Suite 68
  8000 W Sunset Blvd
  West Hollywood, CA 90046
• Phone: 5204052374
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oliviascottlane
• Facebook: Olivia Lane

Image Credit:
@shelbycarol, @notorious_ph

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