ABOUT US

Kel’s Bio Early life… Kel was born in Houston, TX and raised in SE Michigan. Truly raised midwestern-style in a small town of around 30,000 people in the late 80’s and 90’s. Summers meant living her best latchkey life of riding her bike down to the local pet store where she constantly hung out and helped clean out terrariums and cages just so she could hold the animals and some days she would ride her bike down to the city pool. The majority of her weekends were spent boating, tubing and skiing on the lake at her grandma’s house. After elementary school her parents decided to move her to “the country” on 10 acres surrounded by many more fields and acreage of alfalfa. Her family decided to try their hand in alfalfa farming to feed the growing number of horses accumulating on their “new” but very old late 19th century dairy farm. The old farmhouse was even equipped with several small buildings and a classic big red barn. Kel’s many loves included… Nature, being barefoot, climbing trees, horseback riding, bailing hay, lake-life, 4-H, running x-country/distance track, all things art and most of all family. Beginnings of her hair journey… Kel had always dabbled in hair and beauty, always doing her family and friend’s hair. Her whole entire family having been blessed with beautiful curly locks, she also played with many curl textures. Once Kel really honed into her natural ability towards the art medium of hair, at 15 years old and with her family and friends encouragement she pursued her natural inclination towards hair. Approaching her high school principal to see if there were any cosmetology programs that could be integrated with the high school and they had a new program that allowed Kel to truly dive into that God given talent. She was placed at one of the largest salons in the city and apprenticed under 30 different stylists of all different ages and specialties. When she was 18 she got her cosmetology license and started out at the top salon and spa in her town where she did chair rental. In her 20’s… Kel was always aching for adventure and very much a free spirit and with her parents emotional support and $600 in her bank account she moved to Phoenix, AZ at the age of 21 where she proceeded to find another wonderful top rated, high-end, salon and spa. Here she learned many types of unusual haircuts and color (unusual only because the juxtaposition to small town Michigan). Kel was always a free spirit, aching for adventure and it showed with all the moves across the country learning and perfecting her stylist skills with each new salon she worked at.  Her next stop was moving to Newburyport, MA! This unique and cool area just outside of Boston was a wonderful place to experience while furthering her professional experience. Not long after, she went to kick off her Florida tour starting with Jacksonville where she worked at a gorgeous high-end salon & spa next to Sawgrass Ponta Vedra. Less than two years later she moved to the Orlando, FL area where she worked at another gorgeous, high-end salon & spa in Winter Park, FL. Kel wanted to take on a new challenge in her career, so she pursued a career in becoming an educator with the brand Alfaparf Milano. She learned a lot from this side of the business, all the while still working with many amazing, talented hair artists that inspired, taught and added to her repertoire. Kel has always valued learning and elevating her craft. Taking classes and learning from some of the best in the nation has helped her stay ahead of the curve.  After another 2 years she decided it was time to go home and “reset” back in Michigan closer to all her family.  Resetting really helped her reignite her passion for her industry and while there she continued working in a bigger city. Almost a year later she took a vacation to the DC area to visit a childhood friend who had recently relocated there. While out one night she met her future husband. With lots of monthly flights back-and-forth to see each other, 11 months later she moved to the DC area to be with him!  This gave her a wonderful opportunity to work for a fabulous salon & spa in Reston Town Center in Northern Virginia, about half an hour from our nation’s capital.  She also became an educator again with Bumble and bumble, and took many trips to NYC to Bb University, again, learning many new things from many talented artists along the way. In her 30’s… She got married and soon after pregnant with her first child and started her own hair studio. Kel enjoyed KSJ Artistry (her Studio) for 3 great years. But while pregnant with their second child an idea had bloomed within them, the strong urge to move away from the fast-paced unfriendly lifestyle that was Northern Virginia (D.C). In God’s perfect timing her salon lease was up a week before her due date with her daughter and she proceeded to have 22 wonderfully challenging but awestruck months off from hair and was able to pour herself into her children all while wildly crossing off a “bucket list” item… she trained for and ran a full marathon all while breastfeeding and maintaining her supplies (she thinks that, THAT part of it is actually the major accomplishment!) Soon after that her husband, 3-year-old boy and 11-month-old girl moved to Apex N.C. for a better quality of life away from the hustle of the DC area. Shortly after arriving, her beautiful mom in Michigan got sick, was diagnosed and passed away from lung cancer (22 days total). The grieving process understandably kept her from seeking out a new salon.  However, Kel knows in her heart that her mom and God knew what she needed.  Suddenly and unintentionally, she found herself thrown into another salon & spa! Back on her feet, and building her reputation as well as clientele, a neighbor contacted her to let her know she was going to be opening a brand-new salon in Apex and wanted her to be a part of it.  Kel accepted, barely started working there, and out of nowhere the pandemic hit right after joining.  This ended up being the fastest paced salon she could ever imagine and she worked her tail off, rapidly building and cementing her wonderful clientele. 40-ish… Again she felt a notion within her to have her own VIBE… Kel’s love of art, creativity, intellectual conversations and of course most notably… HAIR! Her honest and deep relationships with people is what continues to drive her. After 5 wonder years at the salon, Kel made the decision to go back out on her own running her very own salon studio again and focusing on the people connections and peace. She is truly looking forward to creating special experiences for each person that walks through her salon studio!   25 years of Advanced Education including, but not limited to: * Art of Consultation * Many Curly technique classes * Certified extensionist in Laced, Bellami & LOX Technique * Countless Advanced Color, Cutting and Corrective Techniques with the top industry leaders and “hair-heroes” within the following brands; GOLDWELL, Redken, Aveda, Alterna, Paul Mitchell, Bumble & bumble, Alfaprf Milano, Oribe, Amika, Matrix, Bedhead, Aquage, Kerastase, Shu Uemura, Profound Beauty, Pureology, Crew, Kiwi, L’Oreal, ISO, Pulp Riot, Pravana, Quantum * Alfaparf Milano Educator * Bumble and bumble (Bb) Network Educator * Bb University Styling & Cutting * Balayage, Teasy Lights, Foilage & many Foiling techniques and placement * Upstyling and Bridal work * Many Clipper and Barbering classes * Other advanced industry focused business classes