Today we’d like to introduce you to Debi Blair.
Hi Debi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in NJ during the 80s, I always had a love for big hair as well as experimenting with color. During college, you would find me styling hair for friends in between classes, but I never thought about it as a career, just a fun hobby. In 1993 at the age of 23, I moved to Athens, GA I did odd jobs for a year while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do for a career, finally, during a conversation with my dad, he asked me, “what are you doing with your life?” a lightbulb went off and I blurted out “I want to go to cosmetology school”. He replied, “if you promise to get your license, I will pay for school”.
I graduated in 1996 and worked for a couple of years in Athens, assistant managing and working behind the chair before moving to Atlanta in 1998. I continued working in management and then because of my love of continuing education, I became an educator. For seven years, I traveled all over the South East teaching color and hair-cutting techniques to fellow stylists as well as working behind the chair for some amazing salons throughout Atlanta. As an educator I also experienced the excitement of doing hair shows and working with some of the best in the hair industry, I loved teaching and traveling but after having my daughter, traveling became too much and I went back to focusing on working behind the chair full time.
Good fortune came knocking when my friend Marie told me she was opening a salon in Candler Park and asked me to join her team, that was ten years ago! Mariemarie Salon is my home base and my co-workers are like family. I still love doing hair after 26 years and proudly refer to myself as a “hair nerd”.
One of my favorite quotes is by Vidal Sassoon: “Hairdressers are a wonderful breed. You work one on one with another human being, and the object is to make them feel so much better and to look at themselves with a twinkle in their eye.”
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?
As much as I have loved my career, there were definite bumps in the road, the most recent of course was 2020. I always joked that I would never be out of a job until the pandemic hit and I was! We closed down for months and when we were finally able to open the salon, I was the first one at work with my mask and hand sanitizer.
I had missed my clients, being able to socialize again and of course getting my hands back into hair!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My main focus is haircutting and color, I love doing both. I love big transformations and anything from a soft balayage hilite to bright bold colors. Living and working in Atlanta, it is important to me to be inclusive to everyone, and after discovering a group on instagram called “The dress code project”, I have begun to implement a gender-neutral pricing structure. I have such a varied clientele that having “womens” or “mens” pricing just didn’t feel right anymore, therefore, I charge by time, $100 an hour. Most of my clipper/shortcuts average 30-45 minutes and my med to long hair averages 45-60 minutes.
Working in Atlanta and being a part of the Candler Park neighborhood for over 10 years, I want everyone to feel comfortable sitting in my chair!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am always taking new clients and looking for new opportunities! My schedule is:
Thursday 11-7pm
Friday 11-6pm
Saturday 11-6pm
Sunday 10-3pm
You can reach me at Mariemarie Salon Call or text 404-849-9970
You can also see my work at my Instagram page: debis_hairlounge
Pricing:
- Haircuts are $25 every 15 minutes
- Clipper to long hair average between $50-$80
- Balayage $175+
- Hilites $165+
- Single process color $100+
Contact Info:
- Website: Mariemariesalon.com
- Instagram: Debis_hairlounge
- Facebook: The Hair Lounge Salon
