Q: Can you share with our audience your career journey and how you initially became involved in the beauty industry? 
KW: I’ve always been somewhat of a beauty aficionado and developed the fascination for hair at a very young age. Through my school years, I did my fair share of hair for ballgames, proms, and slumber parties. I don’t mean to brag, but when it came to creating Princess Leia buns, I was a big deal!

By the time I reached high school, I was so enamored with hair that I enrolled in cosmetology school. It was here that I began to understand the theory of hair and the science behind color. Three years later, I graduated top in my class and went to work in a local salon. 

Q: You have been in the beauty industry for over 35 years. How would you define the word beauty?
KW: I believe beauty is subjective and means something different to everyone. But when it comes to the business of hairdressing, my focus is on physical beauty. I look at the symmetry of a woman’s face, the placement of cheeks and the angle of the jaw. As a colorist, I take the clients age and dress into consideration, as well as skin and eye color. It might sound a little quirky, but even the color of the gums and teeth give insight on colors more pleasing than others. 

Let’s face it, we are all drawn to beautiful things. But I believe that physical beauty is nothing without a good heart. I’m from the school of thought that there is nothing more beautiful than a woman that is confident in her own skin and has a heart filled with consideration for others. Maya Angelou said it best, 

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

I’m in the business of making women feel beautiful about themselves. This is something I don’t take lightly. 

Q: What encouraged you to open Salt Beauty Lounge? Can you let us know some of the services you offer?
KW: At the height of covid, I was renting a booth in downtown Matthews. I loved the downtown area, but knew that I needed more space, so I was looking for something to make my own. And if covid were not enough of a struggle, I found myself in the middle of a divorce. So, I did what I always do in times of uncertainty and chaos, I began to manifest all the good in my life and make decisions to do better. It was during this season that SALT Beauty Lounge was created. The word salt carries symbolic meaning of blessings, preservation, and healing. Salt is also a four-letter acronym for Surviving All Life’s Trials. It tells the story of a woman who chose to thrive in a time of adversity. 

Salt Beauty is primarily a color workshop that specializes in custom color techniques and corrective work. Currently, I have been helping women transition from all-over hair color to natural gray by offering silver transitions. This is for the women who wants to pull away from monthly color touch-ups and don’t know where to start. That’s where I come in. When it comes to being a great colorist, I believe it’s important to offer solutions to whatever color problem your clients are struggling with. 

Q: Tell us about your passion for health and science.
KW: In addition to hairdressing, I also have a degree in nursing. I have always been fascinated with the human body and how the systems work together. I use science every day in the salon when I explain the color wheel or theory behind chemicals that I use. 

Q: You’ve recently started a blog; can you share some of the topics you’ve covered?
KW: Although my blog, Kimini Collective is not live yet, (my web designer assures me I’m a few weeks shy of a launch) I have been busy writing stories and sharing on other sites. I’m particularly interested in sharing topics of interest for women journeying through mid-life. I’ve covered everything from hormones and hair loss to the effects of covid and environmental toxins on hair. Being a mid-lifer myself, I am aware of the transitional changes taking place in my relationships, career, and body. Through my blog, I want to offer hope to women traveling alongside of me. I want women to know that they are beautiful, brave, and resilient. This is something I hope to accomplish through my blog. 

Q: You recently auditioned for The Blox, an entrepreneurial show that airs on Amazon Prime, how did that go?
KW: The audition process for the Blox was an incredible experience. I was asked many thought-provoking questions that had me scrambling for answers concerning funnels, systems operations, and return on investments. I’m happy to report that I was selected as a final contestant and will be competing in Tulsa, OK in August. The experience has been an incredible one and I have grown expeditiously as an entrepreneur while I wait for the show. Wish me luck!

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? 
KW: Being a hair stylist is a rewarding career but not one that comes without challenges. My biggest challenge in hairdressing is understanding that the job doesn’t end when you step away from the chair. The beauty industry is an ever-evolving industry. I might master a new haircut one day only to discover that tomorrow it’s outdated. This requires a vast amount of effort to stay on point (no pun intended) with new color trends, skills, and techniques. I’m constantly watching video tutorials and scouring Pinterest for client photos and color inspiration. This requires a lot of time and energy outside of the salon. 

Q: What advice would you offer to a young woman that wants to reach your level of success? 
KW: Don’t be afraid to dream big! Set big goals, write them down and make them happen. You can do anything in this world that your heart desires, you just have to believe and yourself and plan for it. Stay steadfast on what you want and plan your life accordingly. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t follow your dreams. Great things will come in due time, you just have to keep your eye on the prize. 

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments of your career?
KW: A few years into my career, I auditioned with Redken Fifth Avenue as an educator. I was one of five hair stylists chosen to represent the Southeast and was sent to New York City for training. One of my most memorable moments was working in the corner window overlooking Fifth Avenue. I remember having such a feeling of success and confidence. At that very moment, I knew that I was going to do big things with my career.

Q: At the start of your career, what do you wish you had known? 
KW: We had a saying that we use to say backstage at hair shows, “at the end of the day, it’s only shampoo.” This was a great reminder to not stress and overthink things. I loved that. 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
KW: Hands down, I am most inspired by Rosa Parks who was instrumental in the launching the bus boycott and civil rights movement in 1955. I’m amazed by Rosa’s strength and resilience and how she stood up in the face of adversity. She could had easily gotten up and given her seat to the white man, but for Rosa, it was a matter of principal, dignity, and pride. By choosing to not get up, Rosa paved the way not only for black women, but for all women. I only hope that I could be a source of strength to other women as Rosa has. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue their dream and start a business? 
KW: Starting a business takes a lot of hard work, grit, and perseverance. It’s okay to dream big but remember to start small. Be known as the woman who does a few things and does them really well. Surround yourself with like-minded women who can offer encouragement and support. Remember, iron sharpens iron. And last, believe in yourself! Celebrate your achievements as they come along and use them as motivation to keep moving forward. 

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
KW: OOOH…this is a really great question for me because I enjoy my work so much, I rarely want to unplug. So, for my own sanity, I have established clear boundaries between my work and personal life. Most importantly, I had to learn to say no to late nights and weekends. I keep a pretty set schedule in the salon, and I don’t alter it. This gave me much-needed time to make myself a priority and now I feel so much more accomplished. I have time for all the fun things that I was missing such as special events and maximizing time with family. When I’m off, I try to treat myself by taking care of me. Maybe it’s a manicure, lunch with a friend or a class at the gym, but the point is I’m using that tine to unplug and recharge.   

Ten Things About Kim Wickerham

1. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? 
Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Ronald Reagan, and Dolly Parton 

2. Who is the most fascinating person you’ve ever met? 
My acting teacher Lon Bumgarner. I am just mesmerized by the stories he tells of old Hollywood and the insight he gives me in class. 

3. What’s your favorite international food? I love Indian food. 
My favorite dish is Shahi Paneer with a side of naan. Yum! 

4. What TV shows did you watch when you were a kid? 
I was a child of the 70’s and grew up watching The Brady Bunch, Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley

5. Are you a morning person or a night owl? 
Hands down a morning person. I love the solitude that comes in the wee hours of the morning. It’s an opportunity to reflect on my life and the things I am most grateful for. 

6. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut? 
I love reading reviews.

7. What would you sing at Karaoke night? 
Being a country girl from the hills of East Tennessee, my go-to Karaoke song would be none other than Dolly Parton’s, 9 to 5

8. Have you ever met anyone famous? Who? 
I do some acting in my spare time and have had the opportunity to meet a few stars along the way: Woody Harrelson, Linda Pearl, Manny Patinkin, Claire Danes, Jennifer Lawrence, Tyler Perry and my personal favorite, Bryan Adams. I had tea and chocolate with Bryan before one of his concerts. 

9. If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be? 
I would have moved to Los Angeles and followed my dreams to become an actress. This was years before the internet and the capability to send a video audition via email. Even in my 50’s, I still love acting and the ability to live vicariously through another character. 

10. What were you like in high school? 
I grew up in the 80’s when the “Valley Girls” were a thing. So, I wore lots of leggings, leg warmers, and off the shoulder tops. I was a wanna-be hairdresser, so I was practicing on clients for a one- dollar haircut.