Meet Nicole Melvin
In 2019 I designed and opened Salon Cole, located in the heart of Pabst Farms. At this time Pabst Farms was just beginning to grow and I knew this space was something special. I created Salon Cole for hair stylists, and wanted a fun, positive workspace that offered all the perks but with the option to customize their career with their lifestyle. During this time I continued to work full time behind the chair and run the business end of Salon Cole. Amidst of the craziness of Covid, our daughter, Gianna was born. I truly felt my life was complete. My husband, Scott, on the other hand was ready for salon 2.0.
I felt I could get on board if we found the perfect space. I loved having a salon in Lake Country and couldn’t see my career taking me away from here. In March, 2023, we opened Salon Gigi and Spa, located in the Prairie Creek Shoppes. Another perfect location, the area is growing and the salon turned out picture perfect. Here I am, 32 years old, full time hairstylist, 2 salons, 2 children, 2 dogs, and one amazing husband. Most days are amazingly chaotic but I LOVE IT! I’m in love with my career, my clients, my amazing coworkers and my beautiful family.
About Nicole Melvin
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Scott and I have been happily married for six years. We actually met 12 years ago in the apartments neighboring our new salon. We have two amazing children, Jackson, 5, and Gianna, 1-1/2. And we have two pups: Mia, a Yorkie Papillion and Remi, a Boxer.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.).
During high school I was a receptionist at a hair salon, and felt that college wasn’t my path. I toured the Paul Mitchell Academy and enrolled the following day. After graduating I had BIG dreams, I was going to California to become a platform artist. Well, my dad is 100% Italian and wasn’t crazy about my moving across the country. It would be the end of the world if I wasn’t at Sunday dinner. So I chose to stay and became a stylist in Lake Country for the next nine years.
I had so much drive and passion for learning and also trying to better her technique. I flew to New York on several occasions for advanced color and cutting classes. Dallas, Las Vegas, Chicago, you name it! Where the hottest trends and education were offered, I was there! I loved what I was doing but wanted more, she wanted to have complete creative freedom of career. Our son had just been born, so I felt in her heart a change was needed, not only for me but for our family life.
Salon Cole & Salon Gigi and Spa
Ten years into my cosmetology career, at the age of 28, I opened Salon Cole in Pabst Farms. Salon Cole is a high end chair rental salon that offers luxury hair services with the opportunities for the stylists to have creative freedom. With an amazing crew of what I believe the most talented stylists around, we created a one-of-a-kind family. Work is a blast every single day. How awesome is that?! In June, 2020 Salon Cole was complete. But we still had inquires from amazing stylists who wanted to join the team and wonderful guests we were trying to accommodate in a timely fashion.
That is when Salon Gigi and Spa was created. Fun fact: Salon Gigi is named after my daughter, Gianna. In December, 2022, we signed a lease on a 2,100 square foot space in the Prairie Creek Shoppes, on the east side of Oconomowoc. After designing Salon Cole myself, I realized what I loved and things I wanted to make even better. I wanted my salons to be sisters, same family, but their own unit. And they are just that. After lots of demand from the community and our guests for aesthetic services, we have two spa rooms and 12 styling chairs. When designing my business plan for Salon Gigi and Spa I really focused on being flexible to create a work environment that fit many lifestyles. I’m always striving to be better.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
Honestly, I can’t really narrow this down to one thing. I love doing hair but it’s really so much more! It could be that moment my client looks in the mirror and feels truly beautiful, to seeing my team all coming together to lift each other up. We all celebrate each others successes.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Mom guilt! I love my children more than anything in the world. Finding a work/family life balance is difficult. Anyone who knows me, knows I work crazy hours of the morning or night just to have some uninterrupted, quality time with my children on my off time. My babies are growing up too fast as it is, I don’t want to miss it!
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
There are so many rewarding parts of my career. As a hair stylist I love seeing my regular guests. But their life struggles weigh on my shoulders as well and if I can make their day a little brighter or give them that relaxing moment they need, that’s rewarding enough to me. Big one, self love is so important and it makes my day when someone tells me they feel beautiful. Now on the other hand as a salon owner, when I see the stylists thriving, smiling, laughing that is a reward in itself. Coming to a workspace everyday I love and working next to people I adore is an honor.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Opening Salon Gigi and Spa a month ago has been my main focus while still maintaining the quality at Salon Cole. We have been busy hiring and training staff as well as advertising. Exceptional customer service is so important to us! My goal is to never be stagnant, and always reaching for the next best thing for the guests and stylists. Education is so important as the trends are always changing. We pride ourselves on staying up to date and perfecting our techniques.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
The career is very rewarding but you have to be very dedicated to putting in the hours and keeping up with the always evolving fashion.
Nicole Melvin & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
I love the tight knit atmosphere Lake Country offers. It has a very inviting feel and everyone seems willing to lend a helping hand. I am proud to be a part of a community where everyone appreciates shopping local and supporting our businesses.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
I just absolutely love I.D. in Delafield. Their always revolving menu never disappoints and their Meet Me In The Garden cocktail is a must have!
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Friendly, social, supporting.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love fishing! It’s so relaxing and exciting at the same time. I can truly disconnect from my work life and enjoy the outdoors. And now that my little guy has become quite the fisherman it’s a great hobby we share together.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kiddos.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Coffee with Baileys. On the grind with a little bit of pleasure.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Take my son shark fishing… he loves sharks!
Q: What makes you the happiest?
My family and pretty much everything hair related.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
It may seem impossible until it’s done.
Where to Find Nicole Melvin
Email: Saloncole101@gmail.com
Phone: (262) 719-1044
Website: www.Salongigiandspa.com www.Saloncole.com @salongigiandspa @saloncole101
