Today we’d like to introduce you to Steph Strode.
Hi Steph, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I would have never thought that I would be doing hair, let alone a salon owner. Trips to the salon were very rare; in fact, my mother traded a friend Tupperware in exchange for haircuts for my siblings and me.
Fast forward to 2012, I wanted a secondary education and gave enrolling in barber school a chance. I almost quit after my first day. We went straight into zero-elevation haircuts on mannequins. Every single time my instructor came to check my work she was adjusting something. The perfectionist in me was terrified I would never get it right. After a tough 2100 hours of school, I received my barber’s license and had a job lined up before I even graduated.
I started in Waterloo, Iowa, at Hair Biz Salons. I learned even more from the amazing owner and coworkers there. I would probably still be employed there if life hadn’t had other plans for me. I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Fall 2018. I’ve worked at a couple of different salons since then. The first one closed right after the COVID-19 pandemic and the second I left to open my own barbershop and salon, Conjure Hair Collective.
Conjure Hair Collective is the efforts of myself, Abigail Theroux, and Mack Scott. I owe these wonderful humans so much. We took this leap together and haven’t looked back. We wanted to bring an inclusive and nonjudgmental environment to the hair industry in Uptown. We pride ourselves on being a gender-neutral and queer-friendly salon that welcomes individuals from all walks of life. We started in a small salon suite in 2022. We currently are operating out of our own storefront on Lake Street.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a relatively smooth road; although, I did struggle with seeing gendered pricing on hair services. It didn’t make sense to me that a “women’s” cut usually meant long hair and a higher price tag. I once had a client who was femme presenting who got a clipper cut. I was told I needed to charge a higher price. My next client was masculine presenting, got essentially the same haircut and the bill for his haircut was lower. It didn’t make any sense to me.
Gender-neutral services have been popping up more and more. I am so thankful and glad to see it. We really strive to make sure Conjure Hair Collective’s service menu is gender-neutral.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Conjure Hair Collective is located in the heart of Uptown, Minneapolis. We specialize in having gender-neutral services and a nonjudgmental salon environment. As far as services go, we love gender-affirming services. We want you to look on the outside how you feel on the inside. Also, I have been called the “Perminator”. Permanent texture services are some of my favorites. I love cutting and styling all hair, but especially hair with texture, wave, or curl. My own hair has a texture that makes it hard for me to find a stylist that can give me a haircut that I love.
I know how it feels to walk out not loving your hair or with a blowout that you didn’t ask for. It can take people with any sort of texture to their hair a time or two of styling it on their own to know if they truly love their cut. Because of this, I offer complimentary edits/adjustments to the cut. I also offer discounts for people in need. I have worked with The Red Chair Project and love connecting with and helping people feel good about themselves.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I really love the shift happening now, with more industries and jobs allowing individuals to wear their hair however they want. I think in the next five to ten years, we will be seeing more of that. I hope we do.
The CROWN Act passing in some states is a start. Hopefully, we see that every state has passed the act in the next five to ten years.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.conjurehaircollective.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/stephstrode and http://www.instagram.com/conjurehaircollective
