Story & Lesson Highlights with Chris Knudsen of Biltmore / Paradise Valley

We recently had the chance to connect with Chris Knudsen and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Recently, we had an opportunity to expand our business with a second location. At first glance, it looked exciting, lucrative, and full of potential. But instead of jumping in, we took time — consulting with our accountant, financial advisor, in-house leadership, industry friends, and reflecting personally.

Through those conversations, we realized that opening a second location wasn’t the right move right now. What we truly needed was more capacity, and the smarter path was to renovate and expand our current space.

That decision, one we’re confident in, was only possible because we didn’t rush. Sometimes, slowing down is the most powerful move you can make.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Chris Knudsen, co-owner of Mane Attraction Salon in Phoenix. We’re a multi-generational, award-winning salon rooted deeply in community and craftsmanship. Established in 1977, our salon, Mane Attraction Salon, has thrived across decades and five full-scale renovations.

I’m part of that lineage not only at the salon, but also in my own family. I am a the third generation stylist and salon owner in my family. My grandfather, Erling, once counted the King of Norway among his clients, while my father, Erik, was recruited to America as an official Breck Shampoo spokesperson. My mother, Carol, worked closely with Aveda’s founder, Horst Rechelbacher. Now, together with my wife Jenny, we’re honored to carry forward this legacy.

I wear many roles including being one of our cutting educators, still working with clients behind the chair, leading our management team, coaching the stylists, and spearheading the direction of the company.

As a brand, what truly sets us apart is our devotion to education and excellence. Every stylist on our team graduates from an intensive internal training program led by our own MAS educators before ever stepping onto the salon floor
maneattractionsalon.com. We relentlessly strive to elevate—not just our clients’ looks, but our craft, team culture, and community impact.

Located in the Biltmore area of Phoenix, we serve clients from Arcadia, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and beyond—offering a high-end salon experience that remains approachable, personal, and infused with warmth

Since inception we’ve been honored with numerous recognitions:

– Named one of the Top 200 Salons in North America by Salon Today for the last 20+ consecutive years

– Three-time finalist in the North American Hairstyling Awards

– Voted Best Salon by Phoenix Magazine

– Ranked among the Top 25 Salons in America by InStyle

What’s next for us? We’re focused on thoughtfully expanding capacity within our current space. We are undergoing a major renovation that will increase the number of stations and shampoo bowls to allow us to hire even more proteges and train them in becoming behind the chair stylists. We are determined to keep elevating the guest experience and team development while staying true to our values and heritage.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My late parents, Erik and Carol Knudsen, taught me everything I know about work. They were entrepreneurs who owned and operated multiple successful businesses, employing hundreds of people over the course of their careers. What stood out most was how they led. Always lead with humility, positivity, and a service-first mentality.

They showed me that leadership isn’t just about building businesses, but about building people. They were constantly thinking, planning, executing, and delegating, yet they never lost sight of treating others with respect and care. My dad had a simple phrase that still guides me today: “Never half-ass anything.” That principle, to show up fully in everything you do, has shaped not only my career, but the way I live my life.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell myself not to be so hard on myself. Don’t let other people define what success should look like for you or dictate how you feel about your own journey. Life is short, and the wins aren’t just in the big milestones, they’re in the everyday moments too. Learn to enjoy the process, celebrate the small victories, and trust that you’re right where you need to be.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My wife, Jenny. She’s often the smartest person in any room we’re in together, and she’s the sounding board I turn to most when I feel stuck. Her perspective has a way of cutting through the noise and pointing me in the right direction. I truly couldn’t imagine my life, or my work, without her support and wisdom.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people might assume our family’s legacy was driven by a desire to build businesses purely for financial gain. In reality, it has always been about supporting others. Zig Ziglar said it best: “If you help enough people get what they want, you will have anything you want.”

For me, that’s the heart of it. I don’t do what I do just to grow or accumulate, I do it to create a space where others can achieve what they want. We take on the risks, the heaviness, and the responsibilities of ownership so that our team can simply show up, focus on their craft, and do what they love. That, more than anything, is the legacy I hope to leave.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maneattractionsalon.com
• Instagram: maneattractionsalonphx
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mane-attraction-salon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maneattractionsalon

Image Credits
Yellow Room Photography