Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Niven.
Hi Rachael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a lucky individual that knew what she wanted to do with her life from a young age. “Move to the city and do hair!”. Lol
I grew up in a salon for a portion of my childhood. My first stepmom owned a salon for about, or over, 20yrs. I loved getting to go in and play receptionist by offering clients drinks and answering the phone. Of get to wash my sister’s hair, even though she hated it because she got sprayed often. Haha
As an adult I see the toll of the hustle culture the hair industry pushes on stylist. She had many back surgeries and injuries and mental exhaustion that I hold a lot of compassion for as an adult with 16yrs behind the chair.
I was also very lucky that my highschool had a vocational program where I could graduate with half of my licensing hours to ease the cost of continuing my cosmetology certification.
My first year working certainly came with a plethora of life lessons, but I’ve been very lucky in choosing my next working environments. I have incredibly close friends from my first salons who we’re about to celebrate 15yrs of friendship!
I’ve been in my current salon 11yrs this year, which is wild. And 3yrs ago I purchased the business, gutted the space and made it my own. I really couldn’t have done that without the trust of my teammates and our community. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive environment where everyone can feel comfortable Invoking self love through self care.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is anything a smooth road?! Haha
There are so many aspects of independent contracting and business ownership that you can’t prep for. Knowing the rules and regulations, learning money management and tax laws are obvious factors but I have to go back to community. It’s really important to find people to surround yourself that you trust and communicate with for environments to stay cohesive. People that inspire you and push you out of your comfort zone. I think complacency and burn out bring the most struggle.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a hairstylist and salon owner in Portland, Oregon. I own a salon that focuses on hair but offers a plethora of services.
Clients love to ask “what’s your favorite color or cutting?” Haircutting was absolutely my first love. Geometry and trigonometry were the only math classes I was ever good at, turns out that’s all hair cutting. Nothing is better than a haircut that makes your daily routine easier. But color is so transformative. I do a lot of color corrections and massive creative color projects. These can take 5-10hrs, but I love a project! So the answer is always, I couldn’t possibly choose.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I am certainly still working on it! And I know every creative would agree.
It’s really important to not take things personally.
Pricing:
- Creative Color/Color Corrects can range from $450-$1000.
- Quality/pampered haircut appointments are $105
Contact Info:
- Website: https://InvokeSalon.com
- Instagram: InvokeSalon
