Conversations with Kristin Kujawa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Kujawa

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
LuminAries: Lumin a light : Aries: new beginnings.

It really was all a lucid dream, one day i was just getting my start working at a local downtown Rochester salon living above another shop downtown, walking to work daily, servicing clients. Then poof keys to a new salon dangled in front of me.
An opportunity to open my own brand. This was 2014, at the time social media was just getting traction with advertising but nothing to the level it is today.

I toured an abandoned salon, the staff had walked out months prior. I knew from the moment I walked in one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. A giant parking lot, tall windows running along the side of building with tons of natural light over looking paint creek trail. What!! Just sitting there for me?!

Together with the landlords updates to the space and my creative team we crafted, painted and pour our hearts into making the dreamy space of Luminaries salon. 10 years later, I’d say it was all worth the it. I was 28 years old, I’m most proud of that girl for betting on herself. Now 38, 2 kids later, Luminaries is an essential part of the community for so many patrons. She is an entity of her own housing some of the best artists and people!

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?
The road has had its share of plot twists here and there but stayed dialed in on clients and our space.

I’m not one to focus much on struggles to much. Of course Staff turnover can get stressful, but then the next shinning star comes through, covid happened but I enjoyed my time off so much! Now that it’s been 10 years every year is a blessing and I’ll stay at 637 n main until universe needs me else where! 😉

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
People might see on paper that I’m a salon owner, but actually it’s more of landlord type experience here. I like to think of my role at salon as hybrid type of style.

I’m here to mentor Stylist on their path and help coach through my experiences, but at the end of the day, Luminaries is an establishment where artists come to work collectively in a shared space. Our industry has gone to more of this hybrid model, giving the stylist their own power back.

Personally I still enjoy being behind the chair daily, servicing my clientele doing what I’m good at rather than managing the day by day. My regular clients are my mentors, motivators and caregivers. Each client fills my cup in someway. 🫶🏾 I’m so thankful for the curated diverse complexities of each and everyone I see.

Of course I got my start like others with cuts and colors we call this our bread and butter. But over the years I’ve become specialized in extensions. A lot of people hear extensions and think $$$ but it really doesn’t have to break the bank, I add a lot of filler type styles to enhance confidence to the guest.

A new venture for me is to take some classes on Trichology, the study of the scalp. Us 2025 girlies are in our scalp health era and personally I want to dive deep and educate myself.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We love to host events. Over time time we have hosted several events for ourselves that we’ve got the formula down. We can host indoors about 25 people. Typically at our events we would do some type of crafting, flower arrangements, jewelry making, spiritual readings/ talks.

The space welcoming and vast with potential.
So if you’re in need of a ladies night let’s collaborate!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.luminariessalon.com
• Instagram: @LuminariesSalonBoutique
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18vPJPXqs2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.vagaro.com/us04/luminariessalonandspa/services