Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Kinney
Allie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first entered the salon industry in 2009, when I had the opportunity to join Dawn, our current salon owner, at her first owned salon working the front desk. I was still in high school at the time, and I quickly found that I loved the energy of the environment and the creative work happening around me which helped me develop a real passion for the industry.
After high school, I pursued a bachelor’s degree, but I kept working in salons part-time throughout college in Athens, GA. It was during this time that I realized that office/desk jobs just weren’t for me. I thrive in dynamic, people-oriented environments, and the salon industry was a perfect fit for my personality and interests. I love engaging with clients, being part of a creative team, and the constant hustle of the salon floor.
After college, I moved back to Atlanta and took on a role in salon management. In 2020, I had the privilege of being part of the team that helped open our new salon, Kith + Kin Salon, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience to contribute to building something from the ground up. From my early days in high school to now, the salon industry has been a perfect fit for my passion for people, creativity, and constant growth.
In the salon, my role as salon director is primarily focused on running the team and ensuring that our stylists have everything they need to succeed. While I don’t do hair myself, I’m deeply passionate about supporting my team in creating beautiful work. I manage the day-to-day operations, help with problem-solving, and make sure that our salon is running smoothly so our stylists can focus on what they do best.
I’m really focused on fostering a positive, collaborative environment where our team feels empowered to grow and thrive. Whether it’s providing resources, creating opportunities for continuing education, or just being a support system, I’m here to help them succeed. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the team flourish and knowing I played a part in that.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening the salon in 2020 definitely came with its challenges, especially given the height of the COVID pandemic. It was an incredibly uncertain time, and we had to navigate a lot of obstacles just to get the doors open. Building a salon from the ground up during such a difficult period required a lot of adaptability, creativity, and perseverance. But it was also an opportunity to come together as a team and push through those tough times with resilience and a shared vision.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our salon name, Kith + Kin, comes from the Gaelic phrase meaning “friends and family,” and that truly captures the essence of who we are. As a staff, we are family, and we work hard to make sure everyone who walks through our doors feels the same way. We’ve built a space that’s warm, welcoming, and inclusive, which really sets us apart. We’ve had the privilege of working closely with the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re proud to provide a space where people from all walks of life can feel safe, celebrated, and beautiful.
What I’m most proud of is the environment we’ve created where both staff and clients can be their authentic selves. Everyone who comes in—whether it’s our team or a client—can thrive in a creative space that’s full of compassion, understanding, and love. There’s just not enough of that in the world, and it’s so important to us that we can shape someone’s day by making them feel good, both inside and out.
I have to give a special shout-out to our salon owner, Dawn, for creating such an incredible work environment where we can all thrive. Her leadership, vision, and dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive culture make all of this possible. I’m also incredibly grateful for my fellow leaders, Dillon, Tanner and Misty, who play such a vital role in supporting our salon’s vision and helping guide our team every day. We work so well together to make sure our space is not only productive but also a place where everyone feels heard, valued, and inspired.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely believe in the value of calculated risk-taking, especially in a creative and people-oriented industry like ours. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was being part of the team that helped open our salon in 2020, right at the height of the COVID pandemic. The uncertainty of the world was overwhelming, and there were so many unknowns about how to safely operate a business, let alone open one from the ground up. But despite the challenges, we made the decision to move forward because we believed in the vision and knew we could create something special.
That experience taught me that taking risks isn’t always about having a guaranteed outcome—it’s about being willing to step into the unknown with the confidence that you can adapt and learn along the way. In our case, it meant having the courage to build a space that’s inclusive, warm, and welcoming, even when we didn’t know exactly how the pandemic would impact the business. It was a risk that paid off, not just financially, but in terms of the kind of culture we’ve created.
Overall, I think of risk as an opportunity to grow. It’s important to weigh the potential downsides, but also recognize that the reward often comes from pushing boundaries and trying something new. Whether it’s taking risks with new business ideas, stepping outside your comfort zone in your role, or fostering a truly inclusive environment, risk is a key part of progress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kithandkinsalon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kithandkinsalon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kithandkinsalon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kith-kin-salon-sandy-springs
