We recently connected with Noël Reid-Killings and have shared our conversation below.
Noël, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
At Noel New York Salon & Boutique, I set myself apart by exceeding expectations and offering one-of-a-kind scalp and hair solutions tailored to each client. My focus is not just on delivering beautiful hair in the moment, but on educating clients about how hair truly works, so they can maintain that salon-standard look and feel long after they leave.
I believe solutions should be limitless, designed to solve each client’s specific needs. From what I see on social media and hear in client testimonials, the art of wholehearted pampering and care has been lost in much of the industry. My team and I are committed to bringing it back. By delivering high-end service and an elevated experience, I aim not just to meet the standard — but to be the standard, continuously raising the bar over time.
Noël, 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?
Noël Reid-Killings
With over 20 years of experience, Noël Reid-Killings is a seasoned expert in personalized image enhancement. From top New York luxury salons to campaigns for Fortune 500 and major hair care brands, Noël has dedicated her career to helping clients embrace their individuality through expert hair care.
In 2011, she opened Noël New York Salon and Boutique in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn—a flagship destination known for textured hair, smoothing services, scalp health, and personalized treatments. As one of the first to offer microneedling in a salon setting, Noël continues to lead with innovation.
Her approach centers on three goals: protecting hair health, reducing maintenance for busy professionals, and helping clients leave the chair feeling confident and empowered. Known for relatable guidance and an educational focus “from scalp to strand,” Noël and her team prioritize healthy hair and customized care for all textures.
She has also developed her own line of clip-in extensions and offers hybrid extension solutions tailored to client lifestyles. As a certified So.Cap Keratin Tip specialist and educator, she helps clients explore versatile looks without long-term commitment.
During the pandemic, Noël expanded her brand with virtual consultations, styling, and at-home treatment kits—now a lasting part of her nationwide and international offerings.
Her reputation for excellence has attracted a wide range of celebrity clients, including Alicia Keys, Yara Shahidi, Lauryn Hill, Eboni K. Williams, and Ciara.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One important lesson I’ve had to unlearn was the tendency to avoid directness to my staff out of concern for how direction might be received. In trying to protect others’ feelings or avoid conflict, communication sometimes became unclear—and unclear direction can lead to confusion or disengagement, let alone frustration for all involved.
Over time, I’ve recognized that true leadership requires both clarity and connection. I began developing my management skills to ensure that direction was not only clearly communicated but also inclusive—bringing the team into the “why” behind decisions. By doing so, I created an environment where everyone feels more involved, aligned, and empowered to contribute to the shared vision.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
One of my biggest challenges to profitability in the beauty industry is navigating the evolving retail landscape—particularly the impact of expedited online retailers like Amazon, which now offer professional-grade products directly to the public at competitive prices. This shift has made it increasingly difficult for salons to compete on product pricing alone.
I’ve always found consistent success through a personalized retail strategy. After each appointment, we recommend specific products tailored to our clients’ hair type and individual hair needs. This approach builds trust, enhances the longevity of salon results, and encourages clients to invest in their hair care through NNY.
However, maintaining this success depends on the ability to offer these recommended products at prices that our clients find accessible and reasonable. If we’re unable to meet their price expectations—even with the added value of personalized guidance—we risk losing retail sales to larger online retailers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.noelnewyork.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noelnewyork/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoelNewYork/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/noël-new-york-salon-and-boutique
Image Credits
Deb Boardley