I DO: How did Virtue get started? When?
Melanie: Virtue Salon opened February 1, 2010 as a single stylist salon. As the owner, I intended to stay small as long as I needed in order to grow an authentic business without having too many employees. Over the past three years, Virtue has added 1000 square feet, a barbershop, and a total of 14 team members.
When it all began, I was a young 24 year old with quite a bit of experience in the salon world. I had been a stylist since age 17, and I had worked in a variety of settings. I originally never wanted to own a salon of my own. Eventually my creative wheels started turning, and I wanted to start a salon because I could see how it could inspire other stylists, especially young stylists, to have a sophisticated approach to the industry with moral upstanding environmentally and so forth.
Initially, I was planning to open a standard salon just like most of them I had worked in previously, and then my mind shifted, and I was inspired. My great-grandfather (who I never met) owned a barbershop during the 50’s and 60’s and I miraculously had one of his old barber chairs with an ashtray in the arm. My father had been storing it in the garage for years, and while I was in cosmetology school, I would
cut my father’s hair in it! Then as a young girl on a vegan journey, all of these things merged together to form the idea of an eco-friendly, up-cycled, vegan salon. So I began to accumulate as much second hand salon items as I could. With the help of many friends, Virtue Salon has fallen together in a beautiful, community driven way... piece by piece!
I DO: Are you a FULL-SERVICE salon? What kind of services do you offer for brides/weddings?
Melanie: Virtue Salon is a full-service hair salon. We offer special event hair styling including up-styles. We carry Mukha Cosmetics for make-up application. For all prescheduled weddings, we offer vegan muffins from Pattycake Bakery in Clintonville. The team at Virtue has undergone intense training for bridal hair styling.
I DO: How would you describe your philosophy of beauty and well-being? Why should someone choose Virtue?
Melanie: Virtue is a comfortable, non-pretentious environment. We check all of our products thoroughly and offer only the best vegan, sulfate-free and paraben-free products on the market. We also offer a line of products that is also gluten-free. Our haircolor is certifiably organic, vegan, and
sulfate-free. When a guest comes to Virtue Salon, they do not have to wonder if the creamer in their coffee is dairy-free, if our products have been tested on animals or contain animal byproducts... we have done all of the homework!
We strive to accommodate all ages and all needs of our community. Many of our guests mention how homey and welcoming Virtue is, and we work to keep it that way. Virtue Salon is committed to intense
education for our stylists. We are involved in education with Vidal Sassoon in Chicago and are always seeking to further and better our skills to provide the best services possible.
I DO: What are some of Virtue's green practices?
Melanie: The green practices at Virtue are always expanding, but here is a list of how we try to stay as green as possible:
• Recycle all recyclable material. We have separate bins for trash, hair, and recycling.
• Business cards and postcards are cut from cardboard collected from our friends and clients and hand stamped by our staff.
• CFL or LED bulbs used exclusively.
• No paper towels are used. Washable hand towels are used in the restrooms.
• Separate light switches are installed so lights can function independently to conserve energy.
• Coffee, tea, and water served in washable mugs or mason jars.
• All color tubes are recyclable.
• We use product companies that ship with recyclable materials.
• An urban garden has been built behind the building to increase green space. A rain barrel is used for watering of plants.
I DO: Are you always taking new clients?
Melanie: We are always accepting new clients. Appointments are recommended.
I DO: Time for the lightning round. Do you prefer bobs or long tresses?
Melanie: I can’t say that we prefer bobs to long tresses or vice versa. We do a wide-range of styles on a wide-range of people. It all depends on the hair texture and integrity along with the personality of the person wearing the style. Personality and profession are the most important factors in deciding on a haircut. Pinterest has really changed the resources for choosing a hairstyle and lately there is a perfect mix of long ombre and sassy bobs!
I DO: Blonds, brunettes, or redheads?
Melanie: All of them! Right now, red is popular! Believe it or not, our organic color has a fade-free collection of reds to choose from. I have to admit, we do great blondes and brunettes as well!
I DO: Mustache trend - yay or nay?
Melanie: Yay for sure! We have an in-house barbershop, VICE Barber. He does straight shaves and mustaches that are unmatched. I think the stache is back for now, I know our barber Mitch would strongly agree.
I DO: Blow dry or air dry?
Melanie: Either way! If someone’s natural texture allows him or her to get away with air-drying, that would be the way to go. However, with the new technology in styling tools, blow dryers are much healthier for hair than ever before. If someone does blow dry frequently, it is important to use the proper products to protect against the heat and invest in a blow dryer that has ionic qualities.
I DO: Anything else you'd like to share?
Melanie: The team at Virtue Salon strives to remain involved in the community and supports other small businesses. We are always looking to meet other community members and get to know new people! Feel free to stop in and check out the salon and barbershop and have some coffee!
