Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Ryan.
Gina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always had a talent for hair and makeup on myself. Growing up, I taught my Mom how to French braid. I sat in front of her with a doll and she copied what I did on the doll’s hair on me. She’ll tell you she always knew I’d do something in this industry. I had no idea. It was something I was good at so I did it but never thought of pursuing a career, until one day I went to get my hair cut and my stylist said “Hey! You look like you’d be really good at doing hair and I need an assistant. Do you want to do hair?’ I said ” Sure! Why not.” I went home that day and told my parents I wanted to enroll in Cosmetology school. I loved it. I loved assisting. It was the first time I ever put any effort into school. Soon after enrolling, I started assisting at a new salon and met two amazing mentors. Agatha and Michele. They took me under their wing and taught me everything I needed to know about hair, customer service and how to work in a salon from the bottom up. No job was too big or small. I learned so much from them and I will forever be grateful. They pushed me onto the salon floor after I got my license and helped me build a clientele. I learned that I love to make people feel good about themselves. It’s amazing when people leave my chair feeling like a rock star. I get to help make the world a little prettier. How many people get that kind of satisfaction out of their job? I’m so lucky.
In 2007, I moved from New Jersey to Georgia. After I worked for a few salons and built yet another clientele, I went out and opened a salon with an extraordinary friend and business partner. This was in 2008 when the economy collapsed. We must have been out of our minds but we learned and made it work. I hustled. Hard. In 2018, I opened my own salon suite. It was exciting and scary to rebrand and go out on my own.
I still hustle. I strive every day to make my clients happy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The struggles were real. I’ll never regret being an assistant but It’s not easy and it’s not for everybody. Being at the beck and call of 10 stylists who all need you at the same time and you still have about a million other duties to keep things running smooth. I can say without a doubt I’m the best multitasker you’ll ever meet.
I had to be pushed out onto the salon floor. A bad haircut can really mess up someone’s day (or next six months). Getting over that I was only human was tough.
The economy falling out from under everybody was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I had no idea how to navigate it as a stylist or business owner.
Keeping my self educated and up to date on the quickly changing trends is so much fun but challenging.
Please tell us about Studio G Salon.
My salon is inside Salon Lofts in Marietta (East Cobb). I love it. It’s an atmosphere my clients can relax in. I specialize in color and color correction but I also love to cut hair. One of the things I like most is to see the look on the client’s face after the transformation of a color change. It can be a challenge but its so satisfying.
One thing I was taught early on was never do something on a client they don’t need or do something I know will not suit them. I need my clients to trust me. I’ll never do anything to damage your hair. The consultation will be thorough and I will not start on your hair until I absolutely feel like we’re on the same page.
What am I known for? Well, I’m a Hairapist. You will leave my salon with amazing, healthy, beautiful hair. You will also get my full attention and nothing you say leaves my four walls. It may sound silly but it is part of the experience. Some people want to read magazines and relax, some want to talk. I really enjoy getting to know my clients and it actually helps me get a better idea of what to do for their hair. I’m not going to send someone home with five products if I know you’re a wash and go kind of girl. I want a client to be able to recreate their look at home!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to do it all over again, I would have learned earlier that its ok to tell someone that what they want might be a bad idea. Now, I know people actually appreciate that. It took a while for me to figure that out.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4101 Roswell Road, Suite 301 Loft 29 inside Salon Lofts
Marietta, GA 30062 - Website: studiogsalon.net
- Phone: 6785211525
- Email: gina@studiogsalon.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/studiog_salon/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Gina-Ryan-Studio-G-Salon-324491634710285/
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