Nicole DeJong celebrates 15 years of excellence at Nicole’s Hair Studio, located at 2194 Queen Street East, where a commitment to professional growth and personalized client care define success. Photo submitted by Nicole DeJong.
This year marks a significant milestone for Nicole DeJong as she celebrated the 15th anniversary of Nicole’s Hair Studio, a salon that has become a staple in the community for exceptional hair care and customer service.
Nicole, who has been working as a hairdresser for 26 years, started her career in various local studios before deciding to open her own. With her passion for hair and beauty, she combined her experience from previous studios with the goal of “improving customer experiences”.
She founded a company whose goal is not only to offer high-quality, environmentally conscious hair care, but also to promote the professional development of her team.
“Professional development is mandatory for all stylists here,” Nicole explained, emphasizing her role as a mentor and leader. “I take my role as a stylist, business owner and mentor very seriously and know that the best way to serve clients is with a well-educated and trained team.”
This commitment to continuous education is reflected in the studio’s reputation. Online reviewers praise the stylists at Nicole as “intuitive and attentive” and even “hair geniuses.” Many clients have shared that their experience at the studio was “beyond par,” which is clear evidence of the high standards Nicole has set.
Nicole’s commitment to her clients goes beyond simply providing excellent haircuts and treatments; it’s about creating an environment where clients truly feel comfortable.
“I think some people don’t realize how important hair is,” she said. “Hair is an expression of emotion, it’s an expression of trauma, it can make you feel great or it can cause stress.” Nicole considers her greatest accomplishment as a salon owner to be her impact on other people’s lives. She often hears from clients how much they “needed that confidence boost,” which reinforces her belief that “hair care is self-care.”
In addition to caring for her clients, Nicole is also very involved in the community. The studio regularly supports local schools with fundraisers, solidifying its role as a positive force in the neighborhood.
Nicole knows that hair care continues even after a client leaves the salon, so she has implemented mandatory consultations to ensure clients receive the service they want and are equipped with the knowledge they need to care for their hair between visits. “Even with our oldest clients, stylists still check in to make sure clients are getting the results they want every time they visit,” Nicole said.
This personalized approach allows the team at Nicole’s Hair Studio to support their clients’ visions and help them present themselves to the world as they desire.
“It can happen that a customer has been coming to us for ten years and always has the same cut, the same color and the same blow-dry. But one day she wants to get a bright pink bob. That’s why we always make sure that we support our customer’s vision,” says Nicole.
In addition to standard services such as cutting, coloring and blow-drying, Nicole’s Hair Studio also offers specialty treatments including scalp treatments, hair steaming and regenerative keratin treatments. The studio also has a curl specialist, Julie, who started as a studio assistant and pursued a career specializing in curly hair under Nicole’s guidance. This variety of services and expertise reflects the studio’s commitment to serving its diverse clientele.
As well as Nicole and Julie, Nicole’s Hair Studio is supported by a dedicated team including Tanya who has been with the studio for eight years, Jade who is about to enter her second year and Laura who joined the team last year. The welcoming atmosphere is provided by Nicole’s partner Paul who she has worked with for almost 30 years and who recently retired from a career in healthcare.
Paul often accompanies Nicole to the studio and offers her his support. His presence is appreciated by clients and staff alike and contributes to the warm and welcoming atmosphere that characterizes the salon.
“Paul was one of my biggest supporters when I was thinking about opening my own studio,” Nicole said. His encouragement and the loyalty of her existing client base gave her the confidence to take the plunge and open her studio on Queen Street East at Balsam Avenue.
Since opening, the studio’s success and client list have steadily grown, and in November, Nicole expanded the space to add more chairs for stylists who share her passion for improving the lives of others through personalized hair care.
Her mission as a salon owner is clear: “I don’t want people to just come in for a haircut and feel comfortable in the chair. I want them to feel great from the moment they walk in until they come back for a touch-up. I want to hear about all the compliments they got about how confident and beautiful they felt, because that’s why I do this.”
Nicole’s dedication to her craft and her team has made Nicole’s Hair Studio a trusted hair quality studio in the community. The studio is proud to be associated with Green Circle Salons, an organization dedicated to environmental responsibility in the beauty industry. For Nicole, quality hair care at her studio goes beyond the results achieved in the chair; it also includes using eco-friendly products and practices that align with the salon’s values.
As she continues to grow her brand, she remains committed to encouraging new generations of hair care professionals to go above and beyond for their clients, ensuring that everyone who walks through the door leaves not only satisfied, but truly transformed. To express her heartfelt gratitude to the community for their years of support, Nicole is offering a free customized hair and scalp treatment (a $50 value) with any other hair treatment.
At Nicole’s Hair Studio, these treatments have always been a staple, but have recently become more popular due to self-care trends on social media. They offer deep conditioning and revitalization for healthier, more vibrant hair. This special offer is available until the end of September, so be sure to ask about it when booking your appointment.
Nicole’s Hair Studio is located at 2194 Queen St. E. Browse the services on their website at www.nicoleshairstudio.com and easily book appointments or make inquiries by calling 647-746-4247 or emailing the studio at [email protected].
Content sponsored by BMN
