Meet Kazumi Morton of Salon Kazumi and Headspa Nagomi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kazumi Morton

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m from Kyoto, Japan, and I moved to Los Angeles when I was 20 years old with just one suitcase and $500 in my pocket. I didn’t speak English at all, but I was determined to make something of myself. I started working at a sushi restaurant, delivering sushi around Beverly Hills. One day, I brought sushi to a hair salon, and I was mesmerized. The hairstylists were stylish, confident, and making people feel beautiful—I thought, I want that life. The idea that I could order sushi for lunch, dress fashionably, and create beauty for others felt like a dream.

That moment inspired me to become a hairdresser. I enrolled in Vidal Sassoon, despite my limited English, and worked hard to graduate at the top of my class, earning ‘Student of the Year.’ After assisting for a few years—ironically at the same salon where I once delivered sushi—I became a colorist and built my clientele.

My passion has always been to create a space where people feel safe, supported, and taken care of. I wanted to integrate Japanese customer service into a salon experience, something I couldn’t find in Beverly Hills—a place that balanced aesthetic beauty with hospitality rooted in my culture. That vision led me to open my own salon nine years ago in 2016.

Then last year, I felt a new calling. Every time I went home to Japan, getting a head spa was part of my self-care routine. It’s deeply ingrained in our culture—relaxing, healing, and essential for scalp and hair health. But, I couldn’t find a place in LA that truly captured the authentic Japanese experience. I searched everywhere but never found a head spa I wanted to return to. That’s when felt a calling to create my own.

That’s how Head Spa Nagomi was born—a place where people can experience true Japanese relaxation, beauty, and care, just like in Japan.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I first started, I was terrified of speaking English to clients, so I had to rely on intuition to understand what they wanted. I also didn’t feel worthy enough to be speaking to all these wealthy people in Beverly Hills. I probably understood only 30% of what my clients were saying, so I had to read between the lines. Some people even called me the “hair whisperer”—because I had to rely on instinct rather than words. Over time, I started listening to the hair itself—and trusted my intuition.

About 15 years ago, shortly after my divorce, when my daughters were just two and four, I faced one of my biggest challenges. I fell off a roof, broke my right shoulder, and couldn’t work for months. This forced me to slow down, meditate, and begin learning about the laws of the universe. I discovered that life isn’t just happening to me—it’s happening for me, even through the challenges. That shift in perspective changed everything.

When I first opened my salon, Kazumi, I lacked leadership skills. Hiring, firing, and navigating betrayals were tough. I had to evolve into a leader who could create a culture where my staff felt safe and empowered to do what they love. This journey required deep self-development—mentally, spiritually, and physically. I’ve invested countless hours, energy, and resources to become the person I am today. And this work is ongoing—I am my greatest project.

I’ve learned that some lessons can’t be taught through books or advice. Your soul needs to evolve, you have to feel them, live them, and let them shape you.

As you know, we’re big fans of Salon Kazumi and Headspa Nagomi. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in hair color, luxury hair extensions, Japanese hair straightening, and Reiki. My goal has always been to create a space where clients not only receive exceptional hair services but also experience the care and hospitality deeply rooted in Japanese culture. I bring matcha from Kyoto twice a year and serve it to my clients as part of their experience.

One of the things that sets me apart is my attention to detail and dedication to true customer service. In Japan, beauty services are not just about the end result; they are about the entire experience—the feeling of being cared for, feeling relaxed, and being in a safe space where clients feel heard and seen. I create a supportive environment for my clients, often feeling like a life coach to them, which I truly love. My goal is for clients to leave not just looking beautiful, but feeling renewed.

I also integrate Reiki into my services, bringing a deeper level of healing and relaxation to my clients. Energy plays a huge role in beauty and well-being, and I believe that balancing the mind, body, and spirit is just as important as the physical transformation. Many of my clients say they feel a shift in their energy after their appointments, not just in their appearance but in their overall state of mind.

I am most proud of Head Spa Nagomi, my authentic Japanese head spa in Beverly Hills. Head spas are a vital part of self-care in Japan, and I wanted to bring this experience to Los Angeles while staying true to its origins. We focus on scalp health, relaxation, and rejuvenation, using specialized techniques and carefully selected products—most of which I personally handpick and bring back from Japan. Clients call it the most relaxing experience—relieving tension, improving sleep, natural facelift, and enhancing overall well-being

I am incredibly grateful for my staff, who bring positive, vibrant energy every day. I feel inspired to work alongside them, and I am also proud to say that I have the best head spa technicians. This is truly the best head spa experience I have ever had in my life, and I am honored to share it with others.

My salon is also known for Japanese hair straightening, where I use safe, formaldehyde-free products imported from Japan. I believe in enhancing natural beauty while keeping hair healthy, offering low-maintenance, long-lasting results without damage.

In addition, I offer luxury hair extensions that are lightweight, natural-looking, and easy to maintain. My extension method is non-damaging and gentle on the scalp, requiring a move-up only every other month. Most of my clients who come in for an extension move-up also receive a scalp treatment at the head spa before reinstalling their extensions, ensuring optimal scalp health.

What I want readers to know is that my brand is built on quality, integrity, and the belief that beauty is not just about how you look but how you feel. Whether through a transformative hair service, premium hair extensions, or a deeply relaxing head spa, I strive to create an experience where my clients feel seen, valued, and cared for.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’ve become a healer. Over the past few years, I’ve deeply explored plant medicine, working closely with my shaman. With their guidance, I took a course to become a healer and also completed Reiki levels 1, 2, and 3. Recently, I hosted a seminar for my staff on manifesting desires and held a Zoom session for people in Japan. I’m now tapping into becoming a manifesting coach.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.headspanagomi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headspanagomi/
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/kazumimmorton/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/head-spa-nagomi-beverly-hills
• Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/salon-kazumi-beverly-hills-2

Image Credits
Kazumi Morton