We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristin Kienzle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kristin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

“Utopia” is defined as an imaginary place, or state of things, where everything is perfect, and that word really sets the tone for what I wanted to create. It reflects the vibe, the culture, and the level of experience we aim to deliver every day. After that, I wanted the rest of the name to be clear and direct, so there’s no confusion about what we do. “Modern” speaks to our clean, elevated aesthetic and forward-thinking mindset. “Salon” is obvious and important, and “Suites” is our branding term that tells people these are private, individual studios where beauty professionals can run their own business. The full name tells you exactly what to expect, while “Utopia” captures how it feels.

Kristin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kristin Kienzle, and I’m the founder of Utopia Modern Salon Suites. I started my career behind the chair as a hairstylist. After years of working in every type of salon environment, I began dreaming of something more—not just for myself, but for other beauty professionals who wanted freedom, professionalism, and community without the chaos of traditional salons or the isolation of going solo without support.

After decades in the industry, I opened the first Utopia location in 2022 with a clear mission: to create a space where independent beauty professionals could grow their businesses in beautiful, private suites—without giving up the sense of belonging and support that helps them truly thrive. Since then, we’ve grown to three locations and have launched a franchising model to help bring Utopia to other markets.

Utopia Modern Salon Suites offers personalized, private studios for hairstylists, estheticians, nurse injectors, lash and brow professionals, and more. But it’s not just about four walls and a door. What sets us apart is the experience we create for both the professionals who lease from us and the clients they serve. Our spaces are intentionally designed to be modern, welcoming, and highly functional. We solve the problem of instability and burnout by giving beauty professionals the freedom to run their own business with the support and community that most suites lack.

What makes me most proud is watching these professionals step into their own, raise their prices, grow their clientele, and create a life that truly works for them—on their own terms. I’ve also grown significantly along the way, from a service provider to a multi-location owner and now a franchisor. That journey has stretched me in ways I never imagined, and I’m proud of who I’ve become through it.

For anyone considering leasing a suite, partnering with us, or just following along—what I want you to know is this: Utopia isn’t just a space. It’s a mindset, a culture, and a community. We lead with integrity, hold high standards, and genuinely care about the people who walk through our doors. We believe in building something that lasts, and in helping others rise along the way.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Utopia has built its reputation by delivering exactly what we promise—and often, more. From the beginning, we set out to be different. We didn’t want to be another salon suite concept. We wanted to raise the bar.

We created beautiful, modern spaces that feel elevated and intentional. But more importantly, we built a culture of professionalism, respect, and genuine community. Beauty professionals choose Utopia not just because of how it looks—but because of how it feels. It’s a place where they’re supported, valued, and treated like the business owners they are.

We’ve earned trust by being consistent, responsive, and holding high standards for how we do business. Word travels fast in this industry, and our reputation has grown because people see the difference when they walk through our doors—and they talk about it.

At Utopia, we don’t just offer space. We offer stability, support, and a sense of belonging. That’s what sets us apart—and that’s what keeps our reputation strong.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

At Utopia, our beauty professionals aren’t employees—they’re independent business owners. So while we don’t manage them in the traditional sense, we do create and protect the environment they work in.

The key for us is consistency. Our systems are clear, and everyone is treated equally—no favoritism, no surprises. That builds trust. People know what to expect, and they know we’re fair. That alone does a lot to maintain a positive atmosphere.

When it comes to morale, we focus on creating a space people genuinely enjoy being in. We keep things clean and welcoming, and we lead with gratitude and responsiveness. People feel proud to be part of Utopia—not just because of the space itself, but because of how it feels to be here. And that kind of energy is contagious.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://utopiamodernsalon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utopiamodernsalon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utopiamodernsalonsuites
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/utopiamodernsalonsuites/

Image Credits

Ashlyn Faith Branding