If you're familiar with the salon industry, you're familiar with Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri. The dual owners of California's hotspot salon, Nine Zero One, are also the mavens behind some of the coolest hair on social media. To give some insight, Julianne Hough, Emma Roberts, Selena Gomez are just a few of their regular clients. Needless to say, it only seems right to highlight the young and ambitious females on International Women's Day.
Perhaps the best part of all is that Lee and Capri don't view themselves as powerhouse females. In fact, they say they've never thought of themselves in that regard—they're just making a living, and having fun while doing so. We sat down with the pair to ask them a few questions about their role and status as female hairstylists in today's industry.
AS: What does it mean to you to be such a powerful woman in the hair industry?
RC: To me, a powerful woman is someone who shares their knowledge. From cut, to color and extensions and all the way to owning a business, sharing all you know creates an influence in this industry.
NL: I’ve never really thought of us that way. We do the things we do simply because we love it and it inspires us. Whether it’s working on clients or teaching our tips and tricks to others in our industry, we are doing it because we’re passionate about it. It’s an honor to be told you’re a powerful women in the industry.
AS: If you could give one piece of advice to a young girl looking to follow in your footsteps, what would it be?
RC: Don’t listen to anyone telling you "no" and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. I started doing hair because i wanted to make people look good, and in return I made people feel good. And that feeling i got from making others feel good, is why I continue doing what I do.
NL: Become a master in your craft! Take as many classes as you can and remain fearless in the pursuit.
AS: Hair dressing has been a male-dominated industry for quite some time. How are you changing the game for women in the hair industry?
RC: Nikki and I aren’t really “trying” to change the game for women. First and foremost, we opened Nine Zero One eight years ago, and as far as I know we are the only salon run by only women. We don’t have a “money man” or “business man” on our team—it’s only myself and Nikki who run the show. And the more we talk about it, the more we realize we are unique in that situation. And from the salon we created, 901 Academy, 901 Artists Agency, Beauty Coach Tour, BCTV, and Raindrops were born—all of which are women-owned businesses.
NL: Considering that I'm expecting my first child, I think many people expect me to take a step back from running all our businesses and working on clients. With the right amount of balance, I believe you can have it all. The women that I look up to, Kendra Scott and Monique Lhuillier, have taught me you really can have it all. They are two bosses killing it in their industry, and I’m excited to do the same for ours.
AS: Finish the sentence: Women are ______.
RC. The reason we are all in this industry together. Every hairstylist, male or female, got into this industry to make women look and feel beautiful, unless you are a barber, of course.
NL: The real heroes.