Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Werk.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I became interested in salon sustainability several years ago while working in another salon. I noticed how much waste – across the board- was being produced and not recycled. I was also interested in product lines that are low-tox, sustainable, and had vegan and low and zero-ammonia options.
It inspired me to create my own salon with these standards being a part of our core mission. I wanted the artists in my new salon to approach hair as an art form as well as a science. I also knew I wanted to offer specialty services such as straight- razor cutting, dry cutting, curly textures of all kinds.
In a luxury environment, scalp analysis and treatments are also a part of every service. Advanced continuing education of our team was also an important factor. I opened Pasha in the heart of the Northshore in Chattanooga with 4 artists (me included), a receptionist, and one assistant. We were the first salon to partner with GreenCircle Salons – an org that processes, repurposes, and recycles 95% of ALL salon waste. Personally, my husband and I take all the glass to a recycling center locally. Fast forward 4 years. We have grown to 13 artists, created a strong apprenticeship program, and I have promoted my top-performing and experienced artists to management positions. We now have a team of 18 and are actively looking to open a second location.
We are a team of women who are ambitious and supportive of each other. I restructured my business this year so that we now offer hourly / genderless pricing – we charge hourly pricing to reflect the time, not gender because hair has no gender! We are the first commission-based salon in Chattanooga to offer this structure. Pasha is a place for advanced artists to control their own pricing and schedule I believe we have future-proofed our business by changing the old ways to make room for a path to success and independence while still working in a collaborative environment. Our artists choose their own pricing and schedules.
We offer independence with support for our artists. We no longer double book (taking another client while one is processing). We believe we can offer our absolute best work by focusing on one guest at a time. We believe in quality, expertise, and offering exceptional service. Hot towels, cocktails, coffee, and chocolates are just the icing on the cake!
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?
My biggest struggle has been to figure out how to “future-proof” our salon and grow at the same time. So many salons lost many stylists during and after the pandemic to suites.
Now the tide is turning and many clients are coming back to salons again. We have so many new clients who express joy to be in a salon environment again!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a hair artist (12 years) and salon owner. I specialize in razor cutting, dry cutting, and curly hair cutting. I am known for my razor cutting. I am most proud of my hard work, dedication to growing professionally (I continuously take advanced education), and helping every artist and apprentice on my team grow as much as possible.
I believe in empowering women and helping every one of my team grow without limits. I have an open mind and am willing to always listen and consider new ideas. That’s been the key to my success so far.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Determination, commitment, follow-through. Learning the hard things and growing from my mistakes. Admitting when something doesn’t work and finding a solution quickly. Listening to clients and staff.
Pricing:
- Hourly pricing ranges from $60/hr – $120/hr based on expertise and growth
- This year we began letting our apprentices take clients once a week for $30/hr
- Hourly pricing includes all services that can be completed in a certain time frame. Our clients receive waxing, conditioning treatments, shadow roots, glazes – nothing is a la carte so it is less expensive for our guests. The higher the hourly price of an artist reflects speed, expertise, and experience.
Contact Info:
- Email: hair@pashachattanooga.com
- Website: www.pashachattanooga.com
- Instagram: @pashachattanooga – the salon / @thepainted_razor – my personal
- Facebook: PASHA SALON
