We recently connected with Rachel Kay and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
Looking back at my career, a pivotal moment was the opening of my 10 chair salon in Renton Washington in 2019. After 12 years of hustling behind the chair, I felt like I had reached the pinnacle of my career. But, you know, something was missing – that hunger for more. So, I dove into a dream I’d been nursing since hair school. Shifted from behind the chair to going all in on bridal hair and makeup in 2021.
My bestie and I quickly recognized a gap in our industry – not just for more artists but for a squad that helps guides the artist beyond the technical. So we co-founded K&Hart Beauty collective!
Armed with years of juggling multiple businesses, we’re like mentors, coaching our team on skill, money moves, slaying social media, and making friends within our community. And hey, if we’re stumped, we’ve got a pro on speed dial.
Looking back, would I chase this dream earlier? Oh, absolutely! Back then, I didn’t realize special event hair and makeup could be a full-time gig. Now, we visit local hair schools, telling budding artists that anything’s possible – Chase those dreams!
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?
Absolutely! I’m Rachel Kay, a seasoned salon owner, wife, and mother, with 16 years of expertise as a licensed hair and makeup artist in the PNW. My passion lies in boosting the confidence of all my clients, from eloping brides on mountaintops to empowering boss babe CEOs in their branding photos.
Recognizing a gap in the beauty industry, my best friend Azalee Reinhart and I co-founded K&Hart to extend our expertise beyond the wedding day. We created a beauty team that not only pampers you on your special day but also for every significant moment that follows. Because life doesn’t stop after the wedding day!
At K&Hart, our mission is to provide unparalleled luxury services, transcending traditional beauty practices to instill confidence, relaxation, and happiness for beautiful brides and CEOs alike. Our unwavering focus on seamless execution ensures an unforgettable start to your day!
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Well, the story of how we met might not be a blockbuster, but how we started working together was! Azzie, who leases space in my salon, was with another bridal hair and makeup team when we first met. Meanwhile, I was flying solo in the wedding artist game.
The turning point came when I received a remarkable opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned photographer Clane Gessel and Event Planner Duncan Reyes for the Grand opening of the Lotte Hotel Seattle wedding venue and spa – a two-day gig with six model brides. Feeling like I needed backup, I hit up Azzie, and she was game. We crushed it, and Lotte still posts pics from our shoot!
As part of the deal, we were compensated with a stay in this luxe hotel for the two nights we worked. And get this – it wasn’t even open to the public yet! That experience got us dreaming big, thinking maybe we could do this full time. That’s when Azzie spilled about what she didn’t like in her past bridal teams. Being a solo artist, I had no clue about the struggles others faced. Even though K&Hart wasn’t a thing back then, I’m pretty sure that’s where the idea was born. We saw a chance to build something better for artists in our industry.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Absolutely, without a doubt, vendor referrals, especially from rockstar photographers like Vannessa and Coleman (The Crawfords). It’s a massive compliment when photographers vouch for us because they’ve seen our work up through their lens. And let’s be real, who’s got time to touch up hair and makeup in thousands of photos? We get it right from the start, and it lasts all day because your hair and makeup are meant to be lived in, not just double tapped on Instagram.
The love extends to wedding planners too—they dig our custom glam timelines, saving them from a major headache. It’s all about making sure things run smooth and fabulous for everyone involved!
Joining industry networking groups and events has been a game-changer too, allowing us to connect with like minded business owners for collaborations that vibe with our brand. And, of course, staying active on social media has been key, not only in expanding our reach but also in showcasing our work to potential clients. It’s truly a mix of building genuine relationships and consistently showing up that brings in those valuable referrals and fuels the growth of our clientele!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hairbyrachelkay.com and www.kandhart.com
- Instagram: @hairbyrachelkay @kandhart
Image Credits
Personal Photo Credit: Holly @lumiere_photographie_ Previous page photo credits Photo 1 Photographer: Celene @seattleinkandpaperphoto Venue: Aqui Studio @Aqui.seattle Photo 2-3 Photographer: Jessi @echo_photo Venue: Mt. Baker Elopement Photo 4 Photographer: Clane Gessel @clanegessel Venue: Lotte Hotel Seattle – The Sanctuary Photo 5 Photographer: April Yentas @aprilyentas Photo 6-9 Photographer: Brittany Brady @brittanybradyphotography Venue: North Fork Farm Photo 10-11 K&Hart Team Photos by: Holly @lumiere_photographie_