We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Wheeler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a customer success story with us?

At Studio 6a Salon, every client’s story is a unique journey. We know that each person who walks through our doors is going through something different, whether it’s celebrating a milestone, facing a life transition, or simply needing to rediscover their confidence. Our mission is to help every guest leave not only looking beautiful but feeling like the best version of themselves, with the ability to recreate that feeling long after they leave the salon.

Our approach centers on deeply personalized consultations. We take the time to listen and understand what makes each individual feel their best. This involves diving into their past experiences, favorite looks, and even moments when they felt most beautiful. We use everything—pictures, body language, and the stories they share about when they’ve felt truly radiant—to craft a look that reflects their inner beauty. It’s not just about the latest trends; it’s about capturing the essence of each person’s unique style and translating it into something they can confidently recreate at home.

At Studio 6a, we believe that true beauty is about more than just what you see—it’s about how you feel. We strive to ensure that every guest who leaves our salon walks out not only with a stunning look but also with the feeling of empowerment, knowing that their beauty shines from within.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a teen parent, my dreams had to shift in unexpected ways. At 16, I was juggling sports, school, family, friendships, and raising a child. To help support myself, I started working at the front desk of a salon. After high school, After High School I pursued biomedical engineering, but balancing full-time school, parenting, working as many hours as possible, and still trying to have a social life became overwhelming. Something had to give. Still working at the salon during college, I found myself falling in love with the energy, creativity, and community of the beauty industry. That’s when I made the decision—I could always go back to engineering later, but I wanted to complete beauty school first.

That decision changed the course of my life. Once I finished beauty school, I immersed myself in further education, attending advanced workshops and learning from top salon owners and consultants. I became a certified image consultant and soaked up as much knowledge as I could, knowing that one day I wanted to own a salon. After years of hard work, I took the leap and co-owned my first salon. We grew, expanded, and learned through trial and error. In 2020, we made a major move, expanding from a 1,800-square-foot space to a 3,000-square-foot salon—just as the pandemic hit, shifting everything.

The challenges of COVID-19 forced me to reflect, adapt, and grow even more. Eventually, my business partner and I decided to go our separate ways, realizing we wanted to create different types of salons. That chapter was difficult, but it was also a time of immense growth, both personally and professionally.

Today, I’m proud of the evolution I’ve undergone as a salon owner and leader. My mission is to empower my staff and service providers to chase their own dreams, just as I have. I’ve learned to embrace the new generation, understanding their unique approach to work, and I’m focused on creating a space where everyone can thrive. At Studio 6a Salon, it’s not just about making people look beautiful—it’s about helping them feel beautiful and confident in who they are.

That’s the heart of my brand: empowerment, growth, and community. My goal is to inspire and uplift everyone who walks through our doors, whether they’re a client looking for a transformation or a team member working toward their own dreams.

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

After the challenges of COVID-19, I faced one of the toughest moments in my career as a salon owner. We experienced a mass walkout of our highest-producing stylist, and shortly after, my business partner and I decided to part ways. This left me with a very young staff who were still finding their footing in the industry. The combination of these events felt overwhelming, and at times, it seemed like the foundation we had built was crumbling beneath us.

But instead of giving in to despair, I leaned into resilience. I knew I had to rally my remaining team and create a supportive environment that would empower them to thrive. I was also fortunate to have the unwavering support of my loving family, who encouraged me to keep pushing forward during this challenging time. Together, we focused on fostering a strong salon culture that emphasized collaboration, creativity, and growth. I invested time in mentoring my young staff, providing them with the education and resources they needed to build their skills and confidence. We turned challenges into learning opportunities and encouraged open communication to ensure everyone felt heard and valued.

It was a tough journey, but slowly, we began to rebuild. I embraced the support of our loyal clients, who stood by us during this transition. Their encouragement and trust in our vision fueled our determination to create a salon that felt like home, not just for our team but for our clients as well.

As we grew our culture and brand, I was amazed to see the transformation of my young staff. They blossomed into confident, skilled professionals who brought fresh ideas and energy to our salon. Together, we cultivated an atmosphere of positivity and support, and our hard work began to pay off.

Today, we are not just surviving; we are thriving. Our salon has emerged stronger than ever, and I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of my loving family, our loyal clients, and the dedication of my core team. This experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about weathering the storm; it’s about fostering a community that uplifts one another, turning adversity into opportunity, and believing in the power of growth.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

One of the most effective ways to grow our clientele at Studio 6a Salon has been through the power of reviews. We’ve shifted our focus primarily to Google and Yelp, understanding that these platforms are where people share their genuine experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studio6a.com
• Instagram: studio6a
• Facebook: studio6asalon
• Yelp: studio-6a-salon-and-spa-westlake-2