Meet Nikole Wood | Color & Extension Specialist / Salon Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikole Wood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikole, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I moved to the DFW area, there was definitely no shortage of hair salons, and I was worried about being a small fish in a big pond. After a few years of working in local salons and managing a few corporate salons, I realized what DFW was missing, it was missing my personal touch. I wanted to not only build a company that clients felt welcomed, wanted to visit year after year, but that they also felt heard and catered to. I come from a long line of business owners, and each one of those made a personal connection with their communities. My second reasoning was that I wanted to build a company that people wanted to work in. Over the 16 years I have had Blondie’s Salon, I have had the opportunity to mentor so many professionals in my industry and I love getting to see them grow and develop into amazing team members and eventually great leaders.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting to where I am now has not been easy, to say the very least, but I will say I had an advantage coming from the family I did. There is something to be said about finding your passion and honing that skill. I am the 9th hairstylist & salon owner in my family, I am the 3rd salon coach/ educator in the family. That being said, it was a lot of pressure to measure up to those I was following in their footsteps. So every single day, I try and make them proud of me.
I feel that what sets me apart from alot of artist in my industry is that I am not as worried about what is trending or going to make me the most money. I am focused on what enhances a womans features, what will make her feel beautiful and also solve the issues we all deal with such as aging, hairloss, bad experiences at other salons. I also have felt during my 25 year career that my business whether it is as a leader of a team or a service provider, I was given the ability to touch and mentor the lives of others. I use the platform to pour into each individual as needed to have them walk away from me feeling better and supported and heard.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When people visit the area from out of town, I love to take them to the local spots like the Star and Shops at Legacy West. My family are foodies, and we love sharing our favorite spots. For casual dining we love Telupo Honey and for a more unique dining experience we have loved Snowbird Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen. I also like to spend time at Grandscape. My family is active and competitive so we love playing putt putt and arcades. I also usually treat my family to a nice spa day ( ok that may be more for me) but I like WorldSprings and Halo Head Spa.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have contributed to my success and growth as a leader and a professional. My mother, Sharon, was also a stylist and salon owner. In fact, she was one of the best I have ever encountered and she loved education. I was fortunate to not only be mentored by her, but also co-own my first salon with her. Second would be my husband, Keith. He has supported my wild ideas, need to do more, and encourages me to do what ever makes me happy. I also owe alot to Joico. Joico is a hair care company that took a chance on me over 13 years ago and not only saw something in me that I did not see in myself, but took the time to train me to become an educator and platform artist where I have gotten to teach in front of thousands of people my techniques I use behind the chair every day. And last but not least, my sons Noah and Keaton. Not only have they grown up spending saturdays in the salon with me, waiting to show up at their events because I was working late, but each have worked in the salon at some time. My son Keaton is currently our Salon Manager and Guest Services Coordinator. He helps me on a day to day basis and truly loves the team and works to support them in what ever capacity he can.

Website: https://blondiestexas.com

Instagram: @blondiessaloninc @nikole_blondiessalon

Facebook: @blondiestexas. @NikoleHairDiva

Yelp: Blondie’s Salon

Image Credits
MeRa Koh, Two Doves Media (Emma Wood)