I never expected to become a hairdresser. I always thought I’d go into law enforcement or become an attorney or police officer so I could help people. At 15, that shifted the moment I walked into Steel Center’s cosmetology program. On my tour I had to choose three departments, so I picked Human Protective Services, Cosmetology, and Nursing to be sure. The second I stepped into the cosmetology classroom, I knew I’d found my place.

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The artistry is what drew me in. Watching students create something out of nothing with an iron, spray, and a few pins was fascinating. Like a lot of stylists, I spent hours doing my Barbies’ hair—taking styles apart and teaching myself, step by step, how to recreate them became a daily ritual.

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Before owning my own suite, I worked at Stephen Szabo Salon & Spa in McMurray for 10 years. As my clientele grew and I kept taking color classes on my own, Stephen noticed how passionate I was and appointed me as his colorist. For 5 years, I carefully balanced serving my guests as well as his, which deepened both my technical skills and my commitment to thoughtful client care.

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Fast forward to today: I’ve owned Soleil Blanc Salon for 3 years and have traveled to Boston and Paris to continue my education. I especially love natural-looking hair color and low-maintenance blondes. I fully geek out over the chemistry of hair color, and I’m really good at solving hair problems. I know the right questions to ask so I can understand where you’ve been, what’s happened on your hair, and how to safely get you to your goals. I’m often told I’m very detailed while also genuinely caring about the people in my chair.

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When I’m not in the salon, I’m a mom who volunteers for local organizations and schools. You’ll usually find me at art museums (especially The Mattress Factory) or tucked into a coffee shop to unwind. At home, we have two cats named Sidney and Selena—yes, she’s named after Selena Quintanilla because I love music. I probably go to 4–5 concerts a year. Some favorites have been Lana Del Rey, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Dominic Fike, and Bleachers.

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