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The salon is on the crest of Market Street and overlooks Kirkland - an upscale community of chic clothiers, trendy restaurants, getaway hotels, art galleries and spas. The town boasts some of the most attractive boutique salons north of the San Francisco Bay area and hosts them in a saturation that is way above that which the population of resident condominiums could be expected to support. Kirkland is a community which is supported by a clientele spread farther than its city limits. Zoe Hair Salon is supported not only by its neighborhood but by those in the greater Eastside of Seattle who find something to prize in this gem of a salon. Capelli d'Oro: Your salon is intimate and filled with lovely personalized elements that are a treasure to see. It is the salon we all wish we had. Why did you choose this location - the top of Market Street in Kirkland - for your salon?
Zoey Brumm: This location is the ground floor of a duplex I purchased as an investment. I was working at another salon and had a renter I was not excited about. I put both situations together and decided to do a salon on the street and a residence above.
C: Was it an easy process? How long did it take from applying for rezone to opening day?
ZB: The process took a year. It was a challenge, but I love a challenge. I was the general contractor for the construction and designed the décor.
C: Now, even though you live in the residence, I note that you keep consistent hours in the salon. Is this a tempting rule to break?
ZB: Every successful stylist keeps set hours.
C: I have dropped by several times and noticed you never come down to the salon in tee shirts and flip-flops. You always look sharp.
ZB: You must have missed me when I've been here in tee shirts and flip-flops!
C: How long have you had this salon and what do you plan to do in the near future with your business?
ZB: I have been here about five years and I have a similar opportunity with another rental house I own. I am going to put another salon in this house. I am going to call it SOZO Hair Studio, you know: south of Zo's. It will be so far removed from this neighborhood that it serves another different market and it is totally staffed before it is opened.
C: In our estimation, Kirkland has a collection of the coolest salons on the Eastside and Zo Hair Salon is right at the top as far as atmosphere and talent. Were you aware of that situation when you opened Zo?
ZB: I have been a hairdresser in this market for 25 years and this area has always been where I am most comfortable. Being this near the Lake is an attraction to me and a lot of hairdressers like me.
C: What one thing do you expect to achieve from being a salon owner, soon twice over?
ZB: I have what I expected. I have a most beautiful environment to work in with the most talented people I have ever worked with in my career. We attend cutting and coloring classes together about once each quarter and I enjoy that experience.
C: A fair number of our readers are either moving along the same career path you are or have the ambition to own a boutique salon in a trend market. What do they have to have or do to be successful?
ZB: Success is very personal. You have to decide if you want recognition from your peers in the hair industry, whether the money is your motivation, or to be your group leader. My motivation was to create my own personal environment.
C: You seem to have created a personal statement that your clients and hairdressers respond to in equal pleasure. It works for a lot of people. What is another quality you must bring to this effort to succeed?
ZB: Be consistent, reliable, be never afraid to try and be very good at what you do.
Interview By Edward Paul for Capelli d'Oro ©2009 |
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Zo Hair Salon
Zoey Brumm is the owner of Zo Hair Salon in Kirkland, Washington, winner of "425 Magazines Best Salon" & "425 Magazines Best Stylist 2009.