My Journey to Becoming a Stylist and Salon Owner

At the age of 20, I began seriously considering a career as a stylist. After receiving the worst haircut of my life, I knew it was time to take the leap—not just to learn how to style my own hair, but to create a unique space where style and individuality could thrive. By the time I was 24, I knew it was time to make my dream a reality. I sold my car to fund the down payment for my own salon and purchased a four-chair shop just three blocks from home. My best friend from beauty school and I worked side by side for three months before expanding our team. Within six months, our salon was bustling with talented stylists, and our vintage shop was flourishing. With limited resources for décor, we turned to the local art community, offering our walls to showcase their creativity. This not only filled our space with inspiring art but also made us one of the first salons in the area to actively support local artists, all while running a funky little vintage store in the back. As word spread, more and more stylists approached us, eager to be part of Velvet Monkey. By our third year, we had outgrown our original space, leading me to rent a second location. Two years later, we settled into our permanent home at N May and 63rd. Twenty four years have passed since we first opened our doors, and I couldn’t be more proud. Over the years, I’ve watched many talented stylists pursue their dreams, with more than 20 salon owners getting their start at Velvet Monkey. I truly believe that life is what we make it, and I’m honored to have created a space where creativity, talent, and ambition can flourish. -Estrella Evans