We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristle Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristle below.

Kristle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

Our entire guest experience is built around ensuring that every person who walks through our doors feels valued, cared for and genuinely appreciated. This commitment is so central to who we are that it forms the foundation of our training program and continues to evolve with us. One particularly meaningful gesture we’ve made was sending a bouquet of flowers and a personal card, signed by our entire team, to a guest who had been in an accident. Our goal was to let her know that she wasn’t alone and that she had a whole support system at our salon. We strive to be more than just a business – we aim to be a true community hub, where taking care of one another is at the heart of everything we do.

Kristle, 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?

Of course! My name is Kristle Jones and I am the owner of Kate Lane Salon – a coastal haven where modern hair meets laid-back, beachy vibes with a touch of luxury. At our salon, we specialize in hair extensions, lived-in color, blonding and specialty color services. However, what truly sets us apart is our commitment to creating an elevated yet approachable experience for every guest.
We believe that the salon should be more than a place for great hair – it should feel like a welcoming, collaborative space where guests feel special, valued and truly at ease. We take great pride in helping our guests achieve their dream looks while prioritizing the health and integrity of their hair, offering expert advice on care and maintenance, and making sure they leave feeling confident and radiant.
As a team, we are dedicated to continuous education – not just in advanced hair techniques, but also in hospitality and business practices. This ensures we are not only delivering exceptional services but also building strong, meaningful connections in our community.
One of the challenges that we love solving for our guests is helping them embrace their personal style while simplifying their daily routines. Whether it’s creating effortless, lived-in color or providing extensions that blend seamlessly, our goal is to make every vision a reality for our guests while giving them the tools and knowledge to maintain their look at home.
At Kate Lane Salon, we also emphasize the power of community. Our entire team approaches the salon as co-owners of a shared vision – where collaboration and collective responsibility elevate everyone’s experience. This sense of teamwork is the heart of what makes us different and keeps our guests coming back time and time again.

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

A story that truly illustrates my resilience is the journey of opening my first location in March of 2020, right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an incredibly challenging and uncertain time – not only was I navigating the rapidly changing legal obligations for operating a salon, but I was also working a full-time corporate job while raising a family. Balancing these responsibilities, alongside the stress of being a brand-new business owner, was no small feat.
What kept me going was my unwavering vision; to lead stylists towards successful careers, to create a welcoming community hub and to build a business that included my family in meaningful ways. There were moments of doubt, but I stayed focused and pushed forward, constantly adapting to the circumstances.
Thanks to perseverance and the support of my family and friends, not only did we make it through that challenging first year, but we also grew beyond it. Within two years, we were able to open our second location – a testament to the power of determination and staying true to your purpose, even in the most difficult of times.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

There have been several moments in my journey as a business owner when it felt like the business might not survive. The closures during COVID were especially challenging – each one brough uncertainty, financial strain and emotional exhaustion. On top of that, as a new business, we were denied COVID funding, and our landlord refused to offer any rent relief, even when salons weren’t allowed to operate.
There were also internal challenges; times when team members left, when I had to make difficult decisions to let team members go or when a guest was unhappy with their service. Each of these moments felt like a test of my resolve and vision.
In business ownership, there are countless times when it feels easier to give up than to push forward. But through it all, I’ve stayed focused on my purpose – creating a supportive community hub, helping stylists build fulfilling careers and providing a space where every guest feels valued. Those guiding principles kept me moving forward, and perseverance has helped us overcome every obstacle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.KateLaneSalon.com
• Instagram: @kristle.katelanesalon @katelanesalon
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristle-jones-5454b12b/

Image Credits

@vlentine
Vanessa Lentine