Meet Susie Rail | Hair Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susie Rail and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susie, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
It’s really about the people in your chair. I’d say 80% people skills and 20% hair skills.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been doing hair for 33 years now. It has really been a journey. I went to Cosmetology School in Chicago. I worked as an assistant at Rueve Salon and gleaned a great deal from established stylists. LA brought me the opportunity to work at Jose Eber’s in Beverly HIlls, Eclipse Salon on Melrose Ave. and finally Simbiotica in Tarzana, CA. I never worked anywhere that fed me clients so I was responsible for building on my own. I tapped into Cofffee Shops and KInkos (showing my age) as well as colleges , offering a first time discount to get clients into my chair. And that’s how I started my clientele. From there it grew via word of mouth. A personal move to Cincinnati gave me the opportunity to start over yet again! Here I used Starbucks and Kinkos as my main way to grow my clientele. I have had the privilege of working in several salons over the last 33 years. Four years ago I opened Salon Hope located in the Phenix Salon Suites. I love being a business owner. Having privacy affords a safe space to be, consult, create and share. If you always think about what is best for the client in terms of what you are creating, in regards to their lifestyle, texture of hair, growth pattern and budget, you are half way there to earning a client. The personal side involves how well you communicate, listen, empathize, and keep confidence. I’m painfully honest. I won’t give my clients more than they can handle for their hair. I teach them to look great when they aren’t in my chair.. When they walk in for their appointment and their hair looks good, it makes me proud!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Mom ‘n em’s Coffee in Madisonville
Bramble Bubbly Tea
Cincinnati Art Museum
Krohn Conservatory
Lunch at the Dilly Deli or Mazunte
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
Margaritas at El Coyote
Meat Lover’s Pizza at The Village Tavern in Newtown
Graeter’s for ice cream
KIngs Island
Oakley Greens
Mariemont Inn for lodging

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Joe Rueve, a native Cincinnatian, who I met while working at his Salon in Chicago, taught me so much. He knew how to treat his customers as well as his staff. Joe knew how to apologize if something didn’t go well. He was a class act consistently doing great work while sharing the ins and outs of being in business for yourself.

Instagram: @bonvoybalayage

Linkedin: Susie Rail