KATIE SCHOENROCK shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi KATIE, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, joy is exploration. Checking out new places, new flavors, and little adventures close and far from home. Give me a day at a park I’ve never walked or a table at a neighborhood spot I haven’t tried, and I’m in. Also, carving out time to travel, because the world is huge and I love being reminded of that. What a treasure to learn from people and cultures that are different from yours. Every city has its own rhythm and its own way of doing things. Listening, tasting, and wandering keep teaching me that there are so many right ways to live. Even when our routines don’t match, there’s always common ground. That curiosity fills my cup and follows me back into the salon.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Katie Schoenrock, owner of Boss Lady Salon in Maplewood. I run a one-on-one salon suite where every session is private, personal, and fun. Think colorful, sparkly, and an upbeat, judgment-free vibe.
Boss Lady Salon is named after my late English bulldog, Boss Lady, Bossy for short. She knew how to love life, love people, and spread joy everywhere she went. I try to carry that same spirit into the salon so every guest feels welcomed, seen, and celebrated. I’m also a big supporter of small businesses, especially women-owned. The name Boss Lady honors her and doubles as my reminder to champion women in business and show that we can lead thriving, heart-forward careers.
I specialize in all-inclusive color sessions. There are just a few easy options, so booking is simple and your total is clear from the start. My focus is on healthy hair and results that fit your life, not just the day of your session.
Before you arrive to see me, you fill out a quick pre-visit form so I can tailor the experience to you. Choose your vibe for the day, your entertainment, your drink from the mini fridge or coffee and tea bar, your snacks, and any add-on treatments or products you might need so your session is seamless from start to finish.
Sustainability matters to me. I stock boxed water, use reusable cups, partner with Green Circle Salons to recycle up to 96% of beauty waste, and use an ECOHEADS filter at the shampoo bowl to reduce water use and minimize mineral buildup.
Since 2005, I’ve been helping guests see their beauty the way I see it. My goal is to take what you have, enhance it, and give you back the confidence you didn’t know you already had!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
When I think about who taught me the most about the business side of my work, it is definitely my mentor, Hunter Donia. I discovered Hunter on social media in 2020, and his systems-first approach to running a solo salon completely changed how I operate. Fifteen years into my career, I felt confident in my technical skills, but I had never truly studied how to run a one-woman salon business.
Going solo means you wear every hat. Overnight I became the social media team, marketing and finance, maintenance and customer service, supply and inventory, website and content, photography and video, the cleaning crew, and so much more, all while taking care of guests behind the chair. Through Hunter’s course, Modern Stylist Movement, I learned how to build smart systems and automation that still feel personal. Pre-visit forms, 24/7 online booking, confirmations, check-ins, and aftercare now flow smoothly, and the experience is tailored to each guest.
The result has been career-changing. Burnout stopped running the show. I gained time and energy to pour into my guests, kept my boundaries around work and life, and delivered a more consistent, elevated experience. Hunter didn’t just teach me tactics. He showed me how to run a sustainable business that takes care of me so I can take even better care of the people in my chair and in my life.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My first serious relationship left a bad mark. It was emotionally toxic, and it shaped how I saw myself. That showed up in my business. I questioned my worth, kept prices low even as costs climbed, and discounted to keep the peace. I loved my guests and my craft, but I was running on empty and trying to make up the difference with hustle.
What helped me heal was learning to be in a healthy relationship with myself as well as with a partner. When I met my now-husband, I realized relationships are not supposed to be constant conflict. Life is hard. The right person faces life with you and handles disagreements with care. That shift taught me to set boundaries, communicate clearly, and stop mistaking chaos for love. It also gave me the courage to value my work, raise prices responsibly, and build systems that respect both my guests and my energy.
Therapy played a big role. So did the steady support of friends, family, and the guests who believed in me while I was learning to believe in myself. I still do the work, and I am miles ahead of where I started. Today, I run my salon with clarity and kindness. I price with intention, I protect my time, and I pour that renewed confidence back into every service. If there is a takeaway, it is this: ask for help when you need it, and do not be afraid to choose a life where you are valued.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say I lead with compassion. I care deeply about people, and I try to show it in small, consistent ways. That value comes from my family. My grandparents and parents taught us to look out for others and to help where we can. After my grandpa passed, we learned about so many things he did for the community quietly and without recognition. None of us were surprised at all; that’s just who he was, and it set the high standard for me.
I try to make people feel seen, whether we have been friends for years or we just met. Empathy is my default, and it is a big reason I love my career. I get to care for people every day, listen well, and send them back into the world feeling lighter and more confident.
Words of affirmation and gift giving are my love languages. I am a professional hype woman for those around me, and I love giving thoughtful gifts, usually an experience or activity that becomes a lasting memory. At the end of the day, what matters most to me is that people feel valued, supported, and truly cared for.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
If I had followed the advice of others, I would have chosen a different path. I was told I would never make real money as a stylist, that I would always need multiple jobs, late nights, and every weekend just to get by. That story wasn’t written for me.
I worked hard, learned the business, and built a salon that takes great care of my guests and also takes care of me. It did not happen overnight. I put in the hours to grow a loyal clientele, sharpen my skills, and created systems that make the experience smooth and personal. Today, my work supports my life, not the other way around.
The struggles, the wins, the hurdles, and the milestones all shaped me. They taught me resilience, boundaries, and what “worth” really means.
If that doesn’t say I am doing what I was born to do, I don’t know what does.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BossLadySalonMN.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossladysalon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bossladysalon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BossLadySalon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BossLadySalon
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bossladysalon
Image Credits
Lauren Bliss
KAS Films LLC
Flo Jo Photography
