BANGSTYLE had a change to talk with Brig Van Osten about her salon, P!ay Hair Lounge, in Simi Valley, California. You may recognize Brig from Bravo TV’s season 3 Shear Genius where she took home the winning title. For the last six years, Brig has been the owner of P!ay Hair Lounge; and from this experience, she has learned that it takes more than passion for hair to open a hair salon! Learn more about this hip, urban-styled salon and Brig’s experiences in our interview!

BANGSTYLE: How did you get your start in the hair industry? 

Brig Van Osten: My mom suggested it when I was 17 after watching my creativity since I was a child.  I did not want to go to junior college just because that was what my friends were doing.  I wanted to know what professional direction I wanted to head and then seek the proper education to best suit my career.  I spent two years following high school earning money at a pest control company before I could afford cosmetology school.

 BANGSTYLE: When did you open P!ay Hair Lounge, and how long has it been around?

BVO: July 2006.  I have been an owner for just over six years.

BANGSTYLE:  How does your salon stand out from the rest – what do you focus on?

BVO:  Our main focus is always the client’s experience. Regardless of how long they have been coming to us, we make it a point to make them feel important. We are located in a sea of typical suburban salons and day spas. We are an urban hair hot-spot, nestled at the base of a mountain range.  When you pull into our parking lot, you have no idea what you are in for.

BANGSTYLE: What does your salon specialize in?

BVO: Hair, backed by strong communication with clients.

BANGSTYLE:  What kind of cuts and colors do clients usually come in for?

BVO: Our clients want modern, easy to do hair. They are super-busy and spend little time on their hair, so it is important that the cuts we give them fit into their lifestyle and look great!

BANGSTYLE: What’s the vibe of your salon – décor, music, etc?

BVO: Our décor is ever changing into something new while always staying on brand. Clients have come to expect cool new things to look at during their visits. Music that can be over-heard would be upbeat independent music such as Jack White, Goldfrapp, La Roux, The Xx, Maximum Balloon, etc.

BANGSTYLE: Who/what inspires you?

BVO: We are inspired always! Magazines, Youtube, Pinterest, Modern Salon Magazine, Hairbrained.me, and pics we snap when we travel.

BANGSTYLE: Did you have any challenges or bumps in the road when you were opening your salon? How did you overcome them?

BVO: Too many to mention. Good thing I signed a long lease, or I probably would have thrown in the towel after year two. I found people with experience in areas I lacked to show me the way or to handle the details I struggled with. I had to learn to be more direct, yet to not react. I learned to wait and think about something that upset me overnight so I could handle the situation directly and clearly the next day. That has made a HUGE difference. I also attended Bumble & Bumble University’s Fierce Conversations course, and it has forever changed so much about the way I communicate.

BANGSTYLE: Any advice to stylists looking to open a salon?

BVO: Don’t. Then if they don’t listen, I tell them to prepare themselves for the biggest challenge of their life. When I opened, I was so excited about what the salon would look like that I overlooked the simple fact that I hated numbers and math. It doesn’t matter how amazing your salon looks if you can’t manage cash flow! I’ve learned a lot.

BANGSTYLE: What do you look for in the hairstylists who work in the salon?

BVO:Determination first, heart + compassion second, and confidence third.

BANGSTYLE: What are your clients like?

BVO: The coolest people you’ll ever meet if you are as lucky as we are.

BANGSTYLE:  Do you have any at-home hair tips for your clients and our readers?

BVO: Buy this blowdryer- Sedu 4000TGRi Folica.com and a shower filter. We prefer SPRITE. It easily screws on in-between your current shower head and wall. This will make a HUGE difference with the health of your hair.

BANGSTYLE: What are your favorite haircut and color trends?

BVO: Actually, things that are not trends but more individualized to the person while still being very modern and beautiful.

BANGSTYLE: What are some of your career highlights?

BVO: Cutting my mom’s hair, opening P!ay Hair Lounge, and winning Bravo TV’s Shear Genius Season 3.

BANGSTYLE: Any future career goals for yourself as a stylist and for the salon?

BVO: Of course! For 2013, my plans for our VERY STRONG team is to be accessible as an expert panel for beauty editors of magazines and to connect with some television shows to do on-camera makeovers!

Check out the P!ay Hair Lounge site, and follow them on Twitter!