Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to AnneMarie Krainich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

AnneMarie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I was a single mom with $500 in my pocket when I decided to go after my dream of opening my own salon. I was terrified but determined to set my fear aside and see it through. I wanted a unique name for my business that would stand out among the competition and also have deep meaning to me. My heritage is Icelandic and when I researched the word for “fearless” in Icelandic, I knew I’d found it. Ottalaus, pronounced Oh-t-Al-us.

AnneMarie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I opened the first Ottalaus Salon in February 2017. I have been a hair and makeup artist for over 10 years. Ottalaus is the result of my dream to create a beautiful space where guests get more than hair and skin care, they get an experience. From the welcome beverage at reception to the massaging shampoo chairs and infrared-zero damage dryers, to the full-list of services including hair coloring, facials, and permanent makeup, Ottalaus brings the best of the salon and the spa all-in-one place.

I opened my second location in March of 2021 in the heart of the pandemic with great success and rave reviews. We opened our third location in July of 2022.

My work has been showcased at the 2013 Miss America pageant, and in magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings, Utah Bride Magazine, and Gateway Bridal.

I want my salons to be on top of the latest trends so I ensure our stylists always have access to continued education and many of them are multi-certified. I also developed an apprenticeship program where my students are trained by top members of the Ottalaus team. My drive to innovate led me to build upon tried-and-true hair extension techniques until I perfected my own method that lasts longer and minimizes damage to the hair to utilize in my salons.

Ottalaus Salon is the official Miss Utah salon sponsor and also works closely with the Barbara Barrington Jones Foundation helping young girls increase their self-esteem. I created the Fearless Project, a non-profit that partners with other non-profits to provide services to women who’ve left abusive situations. We are always looking for ways to give back to our community.

Through the hard work and dedication of our team, Ottalaus Salon has been awarded Top Salon in North America 2022, Top 200 Salon in 2020, 2021 and 2022, as well as Best of State Utah Hair Salon 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first started in the beauty industry more than 10 years ago I was a single mom with two young boys to care for. I had the dream to open my own salon that offered all the benefits of a high-end salon and spa all in one space–but money was super tight and the dream often seemed impossible.

A few years in, a salon I had formerly worked for closed its doors and the building became available. I had less than $500 in the bank at the time and I would need around $10,000 to acquire the space. I obsessed over the idea, drove by the space constantly, then decided to get to work… I approached family and friends with my idea and in less than a week had the funds to lease the space. I scrimped and researched and managed to get the needed equipment at prices I could afford, then after working behind the chair all day, would work half the night and weekends painting and arranging until I could open several weeks later.

I vacillated between excitement and absolute terror sitting on the floor painting my baseboards and never once dreamed that 5 years later I would have 3 locations and the accolade of Top Salon in North America–something only 17 other salons have achieved, and the first in Utah.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

One of the best things we’ve implemented to foster morale is our motivational management meetings.

The stylists are given categories (Services, New Clients, Retail Sales, etc) and they set their growth goals within each. They have monthly one-on-one meetings with their managers where they go over their goals and are given feedback and incentives when they reach their goals. Quarterly, I meet personally with the stylists to encourage and advise.

I also provide monthly opportunities for continued education both online and in person, often bringing in educators from across the globe to ensure my stylists have every opportunity to grow in their careers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ottalaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottalaussalon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottalaussalon
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-krainich-064457160/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbCN6EqU6F7uvQMc_Q9hfLQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ottalaus-salon-lehi