Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Henry.
Hi Krystal, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Krystal Henry’s journey into the world of beauty began over 16 years ago, but her dream of opening The Key Salon Studios in Summit Pointe, Chesapeake, Virginia, was rooted in her childhood memories of home. Raised in the 23320 zip code, which now proudly serves as the location of her salon/studios, Krystal has always felt a deep connection to her community.
Her passion for hair began with a commitment to education. Krystal studied under some of the industry’s best, including prestigious courses at Allilon Education in London, where she earned two significant certifications. With her training in precision cutting, head sheet diagramming, balayage, and air touch highlights, she developed a unique expertise in creating “lived-in color,” a modern and low-maintenance look loved by many. Extensions soon became another passion, leading Krystal to master various techniques and wefts under JZ Styles Co., Bellami, and International Hair Goods, ensuring she could offer her clients the luxurious hair transformations they desired.
In 2021, Krystal made a bold move by launching her own hair care line, The Key Luxury Hair Care. Proudly made in the USA, these cruelty-free products are packaged in recyclable materials and infused with essential oils, enhancing both hair health and overall well-being. To further her commitment to sustainability, Krystal introduced a Refill Station at her salon, allowing guests to refill their bottles and save money while reducing waste.
Krystal’s journey has not been without personal challenges. Growing up with a brother who is autistic and losing her father to a massive heart attack in 2018 deeply impacted her life. These experiences led Krystal to explore Sound Therapy, where she discovered how sound could benefit her own autoimmune condition and ADHD. Inspired by these benefits, she began offering sound healing in 2023. After studying under The Sound Healing Academy and Meditate: School of Mindfulness, Krystal started integrating Sound Therapy into her hair practice. This offers her clients an immersive experience of deep relaxation and inner harmony. The incredible benefits of Sound Therapy include stress reduction, improved sleep, enhanced emotional balance, heightened focus, and an overall sense of well-being. Krystal also offers one-on-one sound therapy sessions, providing personalized experiences for those seeking deeper therapy and relaxation.
The pandemic of 2020 marked a pivotal moment when she decided to open The Key Salon LLC with a special tribute in mind. The salon’s logo features an eagle inside a key, symbolizing the memory of her father, Frank Valdepena, a Master Chief in the military. The logo is a constant reminder of her father’s influence and the inspiration behind her business. To honor his legacy, Krystal offers a military discount every 21st of the month to veterans, their families, and active-duty personnel.
When Krystal opened The Key Salon Studios in 2022, she drew from all the experiences and hardships she faced when starting her first business to create a supportive environment for other local entrepreneurs. Inside The Key Salon Studios, there are several women-owned businesses, including hairstylists, makeup artists, and estheticians. Krystal’s business model provides these professionals with a space to offer their guests the ultimate experience, while she offers a guiding hand to those opening a business for the first time, helping them feel confident in running their operations properly. It has been inspiring for Krystal to watch the incredible businesses inside The Key Salon Studios grow and see how each one supports the community.
Krystal’s dedication to her craft, her community, and her family’s legacy shines through every aspect of The Key Salon Studios. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the courage to take that first step toward realizing a dream. At The Key Salon Studios, every guest is treated like family, with a focus on personalized, one-on-one service that offers a retreat from the everyday world. For Krystal, the journey is about more than just hair; it’s about creating an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When the pandemic struck in 2020, Krystal Henry, the owner of The Key Salon Studios, faced one of the most challenging periods of her life. After dedicating over 12 years to her job, she found herself laid off with little to fall back on. With no access to her clients’ color formulas and only a few phone numbers she could recall, Krystal was forced to start from the ground up.
Determined to keep going, Krystal began doing hair at home. She set up shop in her house, starting work at 3 p.m. when her husband returned home, often working until 2 a.m. Her son was only three years old at the time, and her husband was in the process of going active duty with the Coast Guard while also serving as a local police officer. With little to no income coming in, Krystal had no choice but to take guests in her home until she could figure out a better solution.
With everything shut down due to the pandemic, finding a proper workspace was nearly impossible. Krystal rinsed her guests’ hair in her home sink, which was far from ideal, but she did whatever it took to keep her business alive. Her husband and son would wait upstairs for hours, having dinner there so Krystal could continue working. Amidst it all, Krystal juggled taking care of her son, making countless phone calls, and researching what she needed to open a studio. After two months of relentless effort, she found The Phoenix Salon Suites in Town Center, where the only available space was a double studio with a monthly rent of $2,295. Terrified but resolute, Krystal took a leap of faith and secured the space, hoping it would allow her to provide a better experience for her guests.
Even opening a business checking account proved to be a challenge, as most banks were still closed. After visiting nearly every bank in town with her son in tow, she finally managed to open an account just two days before her very first studio opening. It was a tight squeeze, but she made it work.
Two years later, Krystal decided to open The Key Salon Studios, drawing from all the lessons she learned through these obstacles. Her journey as a business owner had been marked by countless challenges, from unexpected HVAC issues to overflowing sinks. Shortly after opening the studios, her husband was deployed, and her son’s school shut down, forcing Krystal to bring her son to work. Despite these hardships, Krystal managed to keep everything running smoothly.
After the initial opening, life threw more curveballs her way. Three of the studio spaces faced major life-changing events, and Krystal had to fill them almost immediately. These experiences taught her the true demands of business ownership—the time, dedication, expenses, and stress that not many talk about. Yet, through all the struggles, Krystal emerged stronger, building a solid studio filled with incredibly strong, motivated, and admirable business owners.
Krystal often says, “It may rain for a little while, but it can’t rain forever—the sun has to come out again one day.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Key Salon Studios?
What should we know?
At The Key Salon Studios, we focus on creating a personalized experience from the moment you walk through our doors. The studios are designed to feel like a home away from home, where every detail, from the soft rolled hand towels in the bathroom to our signature Carefree Caramel coffee blend from Pale Horse Coffee, is carefully curated to enhance your visit. We’re more than just a salon; we’re a community hub that hosts several events each year, like our upcoming project for the Bra Ha Ha event, bringing people together and supporting local causes.
What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
I specialize in lived-in color, precision cutting, and hair extensions, offering a modern and low-maintenance approach that my clients love. My expertise comes from over 16 years in the industry, including advanced training in London and certifications. I also integrate Sound Therapy into my practice, providing clients with a unique experience that promotes deep relaxation and overall well-being.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to supporting the studio owners at The Key Salon Studios. I regularly offer classes on education, business management, and day-to-day operations to help them succeed. I’m dedicated to ensuring that everyone who enters our studios feels welcomed and cared for. Whether it’s the thoughtful touches like our Carefree Caramel coffee or the Crunchy Hydration drinks that balance your nervous system and chakra centers, every aspect of the experience is designed with our guests in mind.
What are you most proud of brand-wise?
I’m incredibly proud of the supportive environment we’ve cultivated at The Key Salon Studios. It’s inspiring to see the women-owned businesses within our space thrive and give back to the community. Our guests aren’t just clients—they’re family. Additionally, launching The Key Luxury Hair Care line in 2021 was a milestone for me at The Key Salon. These cruelty-free products, made in the USA, align with my commitment to sustainability, especially with our Refill Station that helps reduce waste and save our guests money.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc.?
At The Key Salon Studios, we offer more than just hair services. We offer an experience with several woman owned businesses which includes hairstylists, makeup artists, and estheticians, all committed to providing the ultimate experience for our guests. I also provide Sound Therapy, a powerful modality that I’ve seamlessly integrated into my hair practice at The Key Salon. Whether you’re here for a fresh look, a relaxing sound therapy session, or simply to enjoy our community events, you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated and cared for. Our brand is about creating a space where people can connect, relax, and be inspired.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is the guest experience and the well-being of each studio owner within The Key Salon Studios. I focus on the little details that create an unforgettable experience. I love anticipating needs, even those my guests or studio owners might not realize, and providing those thoughtful touches that make a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thekeysalon.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thekeysalonstudios
- Facebook: www.facebok.com/thekeysalonstudios
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@thekeysalon
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-key-salon-studios-chesapeake
- Other: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-key-salon-chesapeake-3
Image Credits
Dexter D. Cohen Ryan Bigham
