Meet Kristine Choate of Sterling Heights, Michigan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Choate

Hi Kristine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have been in the hair industry for 12 1/2 years and have always had a passion for the art of hair!
I worked in various salons, starting as an assistant and working my way to being a commission hairstylist.
In 2018, I was pregnant with my daughter and I knew I wanted a change in my career.
I decided to open up my personal salon suite when I returned from maternity leave and that is when I started my business as Paint it Vivid Hair Design!

After a year of being on my own, I moved to a double suite with a fellow artist who I had become friends with. While in this suite, I renamed myself VIVID Hair Co..
We survived the shut down through Covid in this space, which was an absolute blessing. Following this, I hired my first employee and after a total of 3 years in the salon suite building, we outgrew the space and opened our storefront salon.

In 2021, we officially renamed ourselves to The VIVID Collective.
We now have 5 chairs filled with artists who bring amazing energy and passion for the industry!
It has been an interesting journey with a lot of learning on the way, but I am so grateful for our salon!

Alright, 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 have definitely learned a lot of lessons along the way! I think a lot of people have misconceptions of what owning a hair salon truly entails. Since working in so many different types of salons, I had a decently well rounded view of things but there were still many curveballs thrown my way.

I don’t think any business owner would say it’s easy, but we do it for the passion- am I right?

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner of The VIVID Collective located in Sterling Heights, Michigan and I am a creative hair artist behind the chair.

I am known for very customized, colorful creations on the hair. I love doing haircolor that has movement and dimension to it- something that stands out and catches the eye.

I believe vivid haircolor is a luxury service and there is a difference between flat, at home vivid hair and luxurious vivid salon results. My clients get 100% of my heart poured into my creations and they notice the difference because I genuinely love what I do!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you don’t believe in yourself, then neither will anybody else. You have to be hungry for what you want to achieve and you have to be willing to do the work.

Also, don’t take others criticism to heart (unless it’s constructive). People often project the limits they have put onto themselves onto you.
It can feel discouraging but remember, if you really believe in yourself you can accomplish anything!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thevividcollective.com
• Instagram: @paintitvivid is mine and @vividcollectivemi is for the salon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VIVIDHairMI/