John Emslie

I have been in the industry since 1994. I started out in corporate salons where I worked as an employee and as a manager. Here I learned to hone my cutting and customer service abilities as well as SOME color skills and how to manage hair stylists. I left that type of structure to work in booth rent situations. That environment taught me how to become more self reliant as well as discipline to stick it out at work even when it wasn't busy. (You can't be busy and make money if you aren't at work.) I worked at a few different types of salons and barber shops during this time and saw many different business models. In November of 2008 I received the opportunity to open my own salon and on January 1, 2009 HairSlingers LLC; The Only Salon That Matters; opened for business. I decided that I did not want it to feel overly masculine or feminine. I also didn't want it to be bougie. I wanted to develop a place where anyone of any gender or ethnicity could come and feel comfortable. Over the years HairSlingers has grown and expanded twice. We are a booth rent salon where all the stylists are responsible for their own schedules, pricing, etc. I have recruited a diverse group of renters to ensure that we can service almost every client. In addition I have cultivated an environment of collaboration and family where all of the stylists are comfortable going to each other and asking for help and advice. I hope to continue to grow my brand and my legacy by opening more locations in the next few years.