Meet Kelsey Rice of Adept Salon in Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Rice.

Kelsey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am born and raised from Mesa, AZ this is and always will be home. The idea to be a hairstylist was back in junior high realizing I wanted a reliable job that would help pay for college and always to have a trade in my future. So in my Junior year, I started the EVIT cosmetology program in Mesa while I was at Red Mountain High School. Once I graduated in 2010 my journey had me assist some and then went straight into a hair salon, Augusta Ranch Hair Studio, while attending MCC. After a few years of college, I committed to working behind the chair full time. I love creativity and art of all forms, but also enjoy math and science. Strangely enough, doing hair fit all my craved learning categories which finalized my decision to become a hairstylist as my career.

From the chemistry of hair color to hair itself and lifestyle impact that can affect it, all the way to customizing vibrant hair color to do a rainbow or utilizing shapes for a haircut. This industry is ever changing and evolving so naturally it hit all my markers to enjoy what I do everyday and never has a dull moment. Personal life I met my partner and then we welcomed our daughter in 2014. With drastic life changes, I was craving something more with in my career to take it to another level for myself and my family. In 2015-2016 through auditions and multiple training events out of state, I became a National Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems. I attend events throughout the year, that then carry me to educate and revive hairstylists and cosmetology students alike all over Arizona, and one day hopefully nationally. This added job with doing hair has fulfilled me beyond words. I constantly strive to learn new techniques, products, even salon business efficiency and then share it with others to improve and challenge them to enhance their careers.

So, for over nine years, I worked at the same salon until this past summer of 2019, my partner and I purchased our first home in Chandler and our daughter was about to start school. With life changes it seems new opportunities do arise if you leave the door open to them. Which embarked me to take the jump and open my own studio at L’mage Salon Studios in Chandler. With the support of the salon team, I worked with, all my fantastic clients, and my loving family, Adept Salon opened September 3, 2019. through my continuous education and years of salon experience it has been a whirlwind of excitement on this adventure. My clients have committed too being apart of this new chapter and I have even been able to welcome new faces to my studio. Adept means ” to be skilled or proficient at something”, and I embrace that I am “adaptively adept” myself. Where Adept Salon may go time and opportunity will tell. However, as uncomfortable and challenging this business creation was, I am ecstatic to see where it will go. I feel truly beyond thankful and unique to say I love what I do everyday for work. And Adept Salon will always in all future forms showcase that.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I firmly believe a “smooth road” is non existent. Challenges are what help us discover strength, humility, who we truly are and so much more. Even though in the moment of struggle that is a hard lesson to grasp. The welcoming of my partner and I daughter was pure surprise. I discovered I was pregnant at 28 weeks, yes it is possible to not know, so to prepare for a baby in 3 months along with an unexpected death in the family, life was anything but smooth. Post having our daughter, I had various medical complications that usually resulted in unknown answers, and as most run into at some point we struggled with finances and where to rent when the lease was up, etc. Our story though does have some amazing hero’s, like our extended family members that helped babysit at last minute or just be there anytime we needed, We will forever be indebted for those who were a part of any help to us.

Another piece of what got me through was going to work and being able to help so many clients and have a great team to be with everyday. Then becoming an educator greatly assisted my families well being, as well as my hairstylist career. Fast forward to before our daughter turned 4, we knew there were developmental differences between her and others her age, that concern from years prior even would always be turned down at her yearly check ups. After finally fighting to have it looked into the only help was from the screening process with the public school system where she was labeled on the Autism Spectrum. As a parent, we want what is best so it is easy with a child of any type of disability to be haunted by what the future may hold for them. As well as guilt of what we could have done different or do over. However this was the reality and we needed to act, our big push to purchase our first home was to be in a specific school district due to the excellent comments we had been told about their special education. We accomplished the house buying goal that we thought was out of reach for us, and she began kindergarten.

Our road would still not be smooth though since her first school did not really have any established program that she needed, it caused the month of August to be disheartening of what our daughter would have to face in the future. During that time was also the building process of my new business, so emotions were exactly that of a roller coaster. Thankfully to an amazing district the same day I opened Adept Salon, our daughter started at a different public school very close by, that did have a program for students like herself to be able to excel and enhance their creative way of thinking. She is now improving daily and knocking down goals to make way for new ones as the fighter she is. Opening Adept Salon has given me the ability to be in close proximity to our home, her school, and any activities or meetings we need to attend. I have peace of mind and can truly maximize my skill set for my clients. This business has carried my family out of struggles and opened a new exciting chapter, where yes bumps in the road will occur and are many yet to come I am sure. However, it will be what we have learned from the past to carry us through the next adventure.

Please tell us about Adept Salon.
Adept Salon is located inside L’mage Studios in Chandler, AZ. I, Kelsey, have a single chair to provide all hair color, haircutting, and hair styling services. I strive to create a very welcoming, clean and organized space. I have an art wall giving ode to fellow artists and businesses from the valley. I include a coffee bar with tea and other beverage options complimentary for my clients. Usually, I have a welcoming candlelit to create a completely relaxed atmosphere. My studio overviews a lovely scenic area on a quiet street to give max comfort and the feel of a very open space. Sometimes clients are in my chair for quite a few hours especially in longer hair color corrections, so I want to give the best most tranquil experience as possible. I love having clients tell me about who they are and what they do, and sometimes clients just need peace and quiet to where I will also adjust my music for their mood.

Whether I am talking with you your whole appointment even when your color is processing, or if it’s a quieter hair session preferred or to work on something, I will be right outside the studio so you have space while you process too. I always believe the start of any hair service is a great consultation. They are always free and can be done over the phone or in person. I will cover not only your hair color or style inspiration but also your day to day routine and realistic maintenance. That way I can cater to your goals and help you find what you are looking for, but a look that will also fit your lifestyle. I am a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon meaning I carry Paul Mitchell color, products and even tools. Since I am an educator for the company I can break down the core fundamentals of every product and maximize the hair color opportunity with my continuing education and knowledge to best suit each client individually. Also sharing my work on my Instagram page that is public to all help showcase behind the scenes and the wide variety of hair I do behind the chair. My clients become an extension of friendships and family and I dedicate myself to create an atmosphere to welcome all to my chair.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I am very grateful to have a good amount of fond childhood memories so this question is hard. Growing up my two younger brothers and myself would come up with very elaborate imaginative stories or games. Whether we were all a specific character and someone had to be saved or coming up with our own obscure competition that no one else would ever understand. Lighting something on fire to see how flammable different objects were (don’t worry, one sibling was always in charge of the hose) when mom and dad weren’t home, or driving them around to their sporting tournaments and getting food somewhere. Time spent with my siblings are my favorite memories even when we drove each other crazy, we can look back now and just laugh at everything ridiculous thing. I love having three brothers and the fact that when we are all together, it will at some point turn into some type of fun competitive match, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Contact Info:

• Address: Adept Salon (inside L’mage Salon Studios)
  3225 W Ray Rd Suite#112
  Chandler, AZ 85226
• Website: adeptsalonbykelsey.glossgenius.com
• Phone: 480-236-2601
• Email: adeptsalonbykelsey@gmail.com
• Instagram: adeptsalonbykelsey

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.