Get Local is a series presented by KelownaNow, featuring some of our favourite local businesses and eateries! It’s our way of spotlighting local places we love and hope you will too.
Get local with some of the members of the is. Salon Kelowna crew
Growing up in her hometown of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Alie McLaine always played around with hair, makeup, clothing and accessories. One time, to her mother’s shock and awe, Alie decided to be a DIY hairstylist and cut off her bangs in favour of a breezy mini buzz cut.
“You can only imagine how many bandanas I had rotating every day for like three months to let them grow back,” Alie recalls with laughter. “As the youngest in my family, hand-me-downs were my only option for style so I relied on my personal features to release my creativity.”
This early artistic expression inspired Alie to study everything in the realm of creativity. She’d try photography, transitional trades and even study woodwork and crafting, but none of them stuck. In pursuit of discovering herself, Alie decided to travel, try different jobs and eventually, apply at the Private Institute of Hair Design (PIHD).
“I started off as a self-employed aesthetician and went through all the trials and tribulations of being a business owner,” said Alie. “After four years, I decided I wanted to expand my horizons and get into the hair side of the beauty industry so I applied to MC College in Kelowna, BC, then came to this sweet little town that I’ve called home for the last three years.”
Immediately into the program, Alie knew this was what she’d been missing and quickly fell in love with doing hair. After graduating, Alie joined the team at is. Salon and the rest is history.
“When I’m behind the chair, I’m inspired and I find myself constantly trying to improve, take classes, learn from my coworkers and follow trends,” concludes Alie. “It’s true what they say when you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Originally, Jesse Stanley went to post-secondary for Fashion Design and Merchandising, but after working in that industry for a few years, jet-setting to places like New York, Los Angeles, London and Melbourne; he came to the realization that it wasn’t his true passion and couldn't do it forever. When it was time to wrap up that chapter of his life, he had absolutely no idea that he’d ultimately find happiness in the hair industry!
Before that discovery happened, Jesse took a job serving and bartending which turned out to be an amazing experience... one that he recommends everyone go through, no matter what your career goal may be.
“You have the opportunity to meet all kinds of people,” said Jesse. “You often work under pressure and you definitely have to hone your creative problem-solving skills. I would almost consider it to be a mini boot camp on some level.”
As much fun as it was working in the restaurant business, Jesse, at heart, was an artist who belonged in a career where he could express his creativity.
“I missed feeling challenged and stimulated each day. I wanted to work with a team of artistic individuals who shared the same passion and values as me.”
Not long after Jesse started having these thoughts, a friend asked if he’d ever considered being a hairdresser… and though he hadn’t, this question, this moment, this recommendation set the wheels in motion to change his life. Soon, the thought of becoming a hairdresser had become an obsession.
“I discovered as a student, that when you have a client sitting in your chair and you show them what their hair looks like after you've finished cutting, colouring, styling it, they’ll often turn to look at you with an enormous smile on their face and say, ‘it’s perfect. I've never felt so beautiful.’ That's when you know you're in the right place, at the right time and you're heading in the right direction.”
After graduating and testing out the work-force, Jesse was approached by the General Manager of the is. Salon Group. Initially, he like that they valued creativity, passion, tenacity, and drive. But more importantly, what drew him in is that they value their people, both clients and employees alike.
“I’ve been a stylist at is. Salon for almost a year now and I don't see myself leaving anytime soon,” concludes Jesse. “We’re a team, we’re a family, we’re the is. Crew!”
The newest member of the team, Eden Perry-Young, who is renting a chair, has been actively working as a hairstylist for over 12 years.
In that time she has travelled around North America to enhance her education, including San Francisco Vidal Sassoon and all over Canada with Aveda. Eden specializes in blonde hair and extensions. She has been trained by Hot-Heads, Philocaly and is a Bellami certified extension expert.
From a young age, Eden had always had the dream to become a hairstylist.
Now that she is living her childhood dream, Eden's love for blonde hair and foiling has developed into a lifelong passion for hair extensions.
"It’s so rewarding changing someone’s look within an hour,” said Eden.
In pursuit of excellence and service to you, Eden is always continuing her education in the hair industry as it’s forever evolving!
“Hola, Mila here! Your friendly neighbourhood hairdresser, I love making my clients smile.“
Mila Noriega’s passion is to make people feel beautiful.
“There's nothing quite like the feeling of having someone come in and leaving feeling better about themselves than when they walked through that door,” she adds. “It's our job to ensure guests get their dream hair but also to create a positive environment while they're in our chair.”
When Mila first decided that she wanted to become a hairdresser, she didn't have the opportunity that everyone else did to go to school.
“I came to Canada as a Venezuelan immigrant and didn't get the opportunity until 7 years later!”
This experience taught her patience, hard work and to never give up on her dreams.
During that time, Mila found new ways to put her creativity into the world through art, photography, modelling and dance. But as long as she can remember, Mila has been inspired by her mother, who is also a hairdresser.
“She was the one who inspired me to get into the business of doing hair, one day I even decided it was a good idea to cut the hair of a little boy she was babysitting to test out my skills,” shard Mila. “I have to admit, it wasn't my best work but I didn't let it discourage me.”
Now as a professional, cuts are one of her favourite techniques, but she’s quick to add that balayage blondes and highlights take the cake.
“I love transforming the hair from one extreme to the other, these are the times I can really get creative with colour,” concludes Mila. “I'm lucky to be in a career that is so innovative and constantly changing with endless opportunities for growth and in a city that is exactly the same in that sense.”
Veronica Stone has been working in the hair industry since 2015 and she loves it!
“Hair is my passion and building relationships with my clients makes me truly happy.”
One of her favourite parts of the job is educating clients on hair products and styling so they can recreate their desired look at the home and have gorgeous hair every day.
“I specialize in all lighting services and precision cutting,” said Veronica. “I like to do a lot of dry cutting so I can see exactly how the hair grows and wants to live which allows me to cut hair that will fall into place.”
Veronica expresses her personality through hair, which she jokingly adds is probably why it changes every three weeks... makes her happy to help others be their authentic selves through their hair too.
When she’s not in the salon, Veronica can usually be found with her fiancé walking their two rambunctious dogs or reading a book in a cafe.
Fun-loving and energetic, Avy Kania is a Kelowna girl with a passion for creativity!
"I’m always up for a challenge or something new and wild," said Avy. "When you have a seat in my chair, I want you to feel like you can throw any ideas at me."
Her main goal is for everyone to feel confident in their style and be able to trust that Avy really is excited to make your hair dream a reality.
Avy has been in the industry for over four years now and I couldn’t be happier with her career choice.
"I get to play with hair all day and meet the most amazing people, who wouldn’t love that?"
Her keen sense of colour composition developed in high school art classes and she's gone on to specialize in creative and corrective colours with intricate blonding services.
When Avy's not behind the chair creating, you can find her out and about. She likes hiking, going to the gym, being in a cozy coffee shop or wherever the day takes her!
"I’m a child at heart and I’m always up for discovering, adventuring and being active!"
Erin Moore established the is. Salon Group in 2008 with one goal: To bring together a talented team of skilled professionals passionate about making their clients look and feel their best.
Due to overwhelming demand, a second location was needed and in 2012, is. Salon Yaletown was opened. 2018 marked the expansion of the third location, is. Salon Kelowna.
As the region’s leading expert in hair extensions, she has a talent for matching the best extension method to each individual’s hair and is known for her flawless extension and colour blending. Believing hair should look natural and sexy, Erin ensures that your extension will be your little secret. Offering both men’s and women’s cut and colour services, she specializes in brilliant blondes, highlights, balayage and ombre.
In her career, Erin has had the opportunity to make several visits to Africa where she witnessed and experienced the lack of supportive trade institutions. From there, Erin Moore and Daniel Meyerowitz, (is. Salon Group’s General Manager) established The Hair Cares Foundation.
A charity that promotes equality, empowerment, and self-esteem through basic hair-skills training for at-risk youth and young adults. Both used their trade skills to continue to grow and support others in the industry. With their continued success, Erin and Daniel are doing their part to contribute knowledge and first-hand skills to the youth of tomorrow by giving the same opportunity to them.
The is. Salon crew continues to learn, educate and nurture its family of creative professionals that love their work, love their clients and want to make a positive change in the world. Come see them and you'll look and feel your best.
is. Salon Kelowna on 1389 Ellis Street
Phone: 778-484-3434
Email: info@issalongroup.com
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