Exploring Life & Business with Rion An of Oishi Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rion An

Hi Rion, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
While I was wrapping up my undergraduate degree in psychology with a focus in art therapy, I became very interested in the idea of becoming a hairstylist. The part of art therapy that I enjoyed so much was connecting with people on a deeper level through creative expression. I felt that there were many parallels in the world of art therapy and the world of hair. I was intrigued in the concept of honing in on a trade that I would be able to reach to a broader audience. I was very fortunate to have the experience to shadow a hairstylist in Rome and there I was assured that this was the right path for me. I enjoyed the salon atmosphere so much and was extremely eager and motivated to learn all the skills in hairstyling. Afterwards, I completed an apprenticeship and worked my way as a hairstylist in an established salon in Santa Monica. There I was able to learn all the technical and business skills in the industry. After 7 years of growing an established clientele, I decided to open up my own salon space, Oishi Studio.

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?
It has been a smooth road for the most part with occasional struggles along the way. However, when I look back, what I coin struggles are not so much struggles in the grand scheme of the whole picture. Some instances include my time as an apprentice where I would be easily spending 13 hour- 15 hour days in the salon. This is because I would take model client hair and color appointments after a full working day working as an assistant as well as studying on my own. However, because I was so eager and highly motivated, I didn’t mind having the salon be another home and spending my time there. Another instance I may coin a struggle include the uncertain time during the covid 19 pandemic. Salons having to be shutdown and not having work for a period of time was definitely a scary time. However, I was filled with so much gratitude with the amount of support I had when my clients reached out for house calls and the eagerness to be back in my chair after salons reopened. Another instance may include opening up my own business and studio space because of how much learning there was in the process. However, looking back, I can say that I have fully enjoyed the whole process of designing the space and learning the ins and outs of what it means to open and manage my own business. Overall, I believe these times of struggles can be attributed as challenges that have helped me grow continuously as a person and as a hairstylist.

As you know, we’re big fans of Oishi Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Oishi Studio is a salon space designed for clients to reset, refresh and tend to self care. I believe hair plays are major role in ones identity and self expression and I wanted to create a space that reflects taking time for yourself. It is a private salon suite space filled with original art from local artists and has a calming vibe filled with indoor plants. I wanted to create a safe space that clients could feel comfortable sharing and where they could feel reset from their usual busy day to day life. A much calmer environment compared to the typical bustling salon. I specialize in natural, seamless balayages, finely sectioned foil work, and layered haircuts. I enjoy collaborating together to enhance your natural attributes and creating lived in effortless hair styles. I also enjoy using more natural hair products that are lower tox.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is spending the summers in Japan visiting our relatives who live in the country side and in the city. Life over there felt so different from growing up in Los Angeles, so it was always a nice refreshing change spending time there. In the countryside there were so many rice fields and I remember spending so much time in nature catching crabs and bugs. There would be so many summer festivals with lots of fireworks and I remember I would be able to use my allowance to go to the local candy store. Pretty much the majority of my family lives in Japan so it would feel like such a grand celebration every time we went back there. It was a carefree time and holds a special space in my memory. And even now as an adult, it is still so special going back to Japan to visit family.

Pricing:

• All pricing is include in my booking page https://oishistudio.square.site/s/appointments

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oishistudio.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/oishistudio
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oishi-studio-santa-monica?osq=oishistudio

Image Credits
Flekz, Rozie Ramati, Sabra Binder