We recently connected with Kenna Ehman and have shared our conversation below.

Kenna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents are two of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. My dad worked multiple jobs at once to provide for our family, and my mom’s passion was to stay home with us when we were young, but she found a way to use her gifts and talents while at home to help bring in income as a writer. My dad taught me to show up to work and always give 100 percent even when it seems like a job that “isn’t that important.” He taught me that integrity goes further than any degree and that no matter what job we work, we have a responsibility to our community and team to give it our all. My mom taught me to always show up for my dream, even in the format season. My mom is a New York Times best-selling author of several books, but for every book that made the list, every win, every interview, every time she spoke to thousands, there was a book that she self-published and sold at garage sales, there was a time she spoke for no money at all. She taught me that no matter how big or famous and sought-after you become, remember where you came from and always treat people with love and respect. My parents taught me to work hard, never give up, and treat people with kindness.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up in a small town in the midwest and graduated from hair school in 2010. I have 13 years of experience as a Master Stylist and Cutting Specialist, and I am passionate about helping people fall in love with their natural hair. I have had the chance to work on several film sets throughout London and the United States, have offered destination wedding hair and makeup services, and I have a multitude of certifications including Enneagram training, lived-in cut certification, and lived-in color certification.

Between running the salon, Kenna Kunijo, and mentoring celebrity stylists to further my expertise in hair cutting, I am also extremely passionate about my Charlotte community. In 2022, I ran for Woman of the Year with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, and came in as a runner up while raising over $550,000 in ten weeks for cancer research. I also aid in anti-human trafficking efforts with organizations like Lily Pad Haven, which provides support to survivors.

I am so proud to be leading my team with intention and care alongside my Co-Founder, Lauren Kunijo, and I love supporting and equipping Kenna Kunijo’s stylists to reach their full potential with the best training, opportunities, and resources available to continue to grow their skillsets, maintain their mental health, and maintain our salon as the top destination for hair and makeup in Charlotte.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Lauren and I met because I was doing hair for human trafficking survivors and needed help doing free hair. She had just moved into the suite down the hall from me at Sola Salons. I asked her for help, and she happily accepted. We ended up talking about our passions, and one of them was traveling. We decided to start traveling the world together and one day came up with the idea to join forces and do what we couldn’t do alone: start Kenna Kunijo.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice is to remember that you can have high standards, non-negotiables, and core values, but remember you’re dealing with humans who have hearts. When I first started KK, I had these crazy high standards that no one could meet simply because that’s what I had. But it wasn’t healthy, and I had to learn that a little grace goes a long way, and showing your team you care but are fair will earn respect quicker than any sort of tough standard list with no room for grace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kennakunijo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennaehman/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kennaehman?lang=en