Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Switala.
Hi Kristine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From Quiet Beginnings to a Thriving Salon Home
Parlour 9 Salon & Spa began a new chapter in 2016, when owner Kristine stepped in with a vision to transform a quiet, established space into something more: a place where beauty professionals and guests alike feel truly cared for.
With roots dating back to 2002, the salon already had great bones — it just needed fresh energy and renewed purpose. Kristine saw not only what the space was, but what it could become: a welcoming, balanced, and thriving environment for both stylists and clients.
💇♀️ A Different Kind of Salon Experience
At Parlour 9, we believe that beauty should never feel rushed. We’re not a high-turnover, in-and-out kind of place. Our experienced team of stylists and spa professionals work together in harmony — whether employee or independent — to create a relaxed, comfortable environment where guests feel seen, heard, and genuinely valued.
Clients leave not only looking great, but feeling their absolute best.
🌿 A Space Where Professionals Thrive
Kristine’s mission has always been to create more than just a salon — to build a space where stylists and spa professionals can grow fulfilling, sustainable careers and enjoy balance in their lives. At Parlour 9, we believe that with the right support, you can do work you love, build meaningful client relationships, and still have time and energy left for life beyond the salon.
🫶 Rooted in Legacy, Built with Heart
Parlour 9 isn’t just a business — it’s a reflection of Kristine’s heart, her values, and her belief in what’s possible when people are truly supported. It’s part of her legacy — a business built to support her family today and into the future.
Here, growth is nurtured, success is shared, and connection matters. Family — both at home and within the salon — will always have a place at Parlour 9.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like many business owners, I’ve faced some real challenges along the way. One of the hardest seasons was during COVID, when our salon had to shut down. Not only did that mean the business wasn’t bringing in income, but my team was also out of work. I carried the weight of wanting so badly to come back just as strong as before, while also facing the reality of the costs of being closed and the uncertainty of what the future would look like. That was the moment I truly gave it all to God. I trusted that He would navigate me through the unknown and help us rebuild. It wasn’t easy, but that faith gave me peace and the strength to keep moving forward.
Another big challenge came with purchasing an existing salon. I didn’t want to come in and just change everything, because I knew there was history and a way things had always been done. At the same time, I had a vision for where I believed we could grow. It’s been a balancing act of honoring what was already in place while slowly introducing changes and showing the team the “why” behind them. My goal has always been to lead in a way that doesn’t cause disruption but instead inspires growth.
Beyond that, there have been the everyday challenges of leading a team, managing personalities, and protecting the culture of the salon while still working behind the chair. But through every obstacle, I’ve grown stronger—not just as a stylist, but as a leader.
Looking back, those struggles shaped Parlour 9 into what it is today: a salon grounded in values, growth, and the belief that every client should leave feeling more confident than when they walked in.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love being in a space where I can build real connections with my clients and truly enjoy my time with them. For me, it’s not just about the hair—it’s about the conversations, the trust, and the confidence that grows in the chair.
My specialties are hair extensions, color, and haircutting, and I love them all equally for different reasons. Extensions have truly captured my heart—not just because they create longer, fuller hair, but because they can completely change how someone feels about themselves. Sometimes it’s fixing a bad haircut, sometimes it’s helping with thinning hair, and sometimes it’s simply giving someone the fullness they’ve always dreamed of. No matter the reason, there’s nothing like seeing a client look in the mirror and light up with confidence, sometimes for the first time in years. Being able to give that back to someone is incredibly rewarding.
Coloring is where I get to be creative, customizing tones and dimension to bring out a client’s personality and style. And haircutting ties everything together, completing the look and making the whole transformation feel polished and seamless. Each of these specialties allows me to bring artistry and care to my clients in unique ways.
I’ve been in this industry for more than 20 years, and in that time I’ve never stopped learning. I’ve trained with some of the best names in the business and spent years as a National Educator for PerfecTress Hair Extensions, which gave me the opportunity to share my knowledge with other stylists. Now, as a salon owner, I get to pour that same knowledge and passion into my own team—helping them grow in their craft and watching them create beautiful transformations is just as fulfilling as doing the work myself.
What sets me apart is that balance—I’m deeply invested in the artistry of my craft, but also in the people I serve and the team I lead. My clients know they’re going to leave not just with great hair, but with an experience that makes them feel cared for and more confident. And my team knows that I’ll pour into them, because their growth and success matter to me just as much as my own.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about our city is the sense of community. Even as it continues to grow, there are still parts that feel small and connected, and that’s something really special. I’ve made it a personal goal to keep building more connections with other businesses and people in town, because I believe we’re stronger when we support each other.
I also love that I’ve been able to connect with other salon owners in the area. Instead of looking at each other as competition, there’s a genuine spirit of cheering each other on and helping one another succeed. There are plenty of clients to go around, and it’s refreshing to be in a place where collaboration and encouragement can thrive.
If I had to pick one challenge, it’s simply that with growth comes change—but that’s also exciting. It pushes us to be more creative, more connected, and more intentional about keeping the sense of community alive as the city evolves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.parlour9.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/parlour9salonspa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Parlour9
