Salon Spotlight: Alchemy Color Lab

Meet Alchemy Color Lab - a collaborative and communal salon space for stylists located in Metro Detroit. Alchemy was founded with the goal of providing real support, education and mentorship while creating a culture where both stylists and clients feel valued and empowered. At the heart of this vision are co-owners Aeryn and Nik. Together, they shaped Alchemy into a thriving hub for personal and professional growth among beauty industry professionals. With a commitment to authenticity, mindfulness and synergy, Alchemy Color Lab is redefining what it means to be a “salon”.
 

Aeryn and Nik built Alchemy as a space where stylists and clients can grow, learn and feel truly supported.
 

Read our full interview with Aeryn, where she shares more about the mission and heart of Alchemy Color Lab.
 

Marlo Beauty: What led you and Nik to the beauty industry, and what roles do you each play in Alchemy Color Lab?
Aeryn: Nik and I are co-owners of Alchemy Color Lab and our related educational space Common Haus, but our journey together started way before that. We were friends in high school and a few years ago I saw he was hiring for a front desk position. I applied and got it, and from there I quickly started assisting, then moved into management, and two years ago I was asked to step into ownership. I’ve always known that I wanted to do more than just hair…I wanted to be part of something bigger in this industry that I love. Nik really helped me find my passion and purpose beyond the chair, and now I focus on the business side of things while he continues to lead creatively. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m so grateful for the way it all came together.

Marlo Beauty: What inspired you and Nik to start Alchemy Color Lab? Was there a defining moment when you thought, "This is what we should do"?
Aeryn: Nik started Alchemy Color Lab back in 2018. As a stylist behind the chair, he felt a deep need for a space that prioritized the stylist, somewhere with a strong foundation in education and rooted in support. So many stylists are promised this amazing level of growth and mentorship in their workplaces, only to find out it’s not quite what it seems. We wanted to create a place where that promise was actually delivered.

We also want our educational focus to extend to our guests. Every guest, every single time, gets a thorough consultation. We walk them through the process, carefully explaining what we’re doing and why, so they understand how to maintain their look at home even as they recognize the value of the service they’re receiving. It’s all about creating a space where both stylists and guests feel supported, informed and confident.

The salon floor at Alchemy is designed to be collaborative, inspiring and full of energy.
 

Marlo Beauty: Can you tell us about Common Haus and why teaching other beauty professionals is so important to you? How do you see education evolving in Detroit?
Aeryn: Common Haus was born out of a need for Nik and I to have a space where we could bring our salon teams together for training and education without having to shut down a salon for the day. More than that, we wanted to create a collaborative space where stylists at all levels can grow and share their knowledge. It’s evolved into something even bigger than we ever imagined, and we’re so grateful for all the stylists and salon owners who have stepped into the space to learn, teach and connect.
 

Education, crucially, isn’t just for stylists. We also focus on salon owners and managers because, when we started, Nik and I didn’t have anyone to share the burden of salon ownership with except each other. It can be really lonely.

Detroit needs spaces like this. Historically, we’ve been overlooked or overshadowed by cities like Chicago and New York when it comes to industry education, but there is so much talent and passion here. I truly believe Detroit is on its way to becoming a major hub for education in the beauty industry. We have some of the most talented stylists and educators out there and it’s time for the industry to see that! 

Marlo Beauty: What are the core values that guide Alchemy Color Lab, and how did you and Nik pinpoint those values?
Aeryn: Authenticity, mindfulness and synergy, but we didn’t just come up with these on our own. Nik and I knew from the beginning that if we wanted these values to truly mean something, our team needed to be a part of defining them. So, we brought everyone together for a round table discussion to collaborate and narrow them down.

We choose to structure our meetings as a round table because we believe in creating a space where everyone has a voice. Our team may not have the final say in every decision, but they always know that their perspectives matter and that they’ll be heard. It’s important to us that no one feels like they’re just being told how things are, we want them to feel invested in the culture we’re building.

These values shape how we show up for each other, how we serve our guests and how we continue to grow as a company. 

Marlo Beauty: How do you maintain retention amongst your team, and what steps do you take to give them opportunities to grow within the salon?
Aeryn: This was a tough lesson to learn as young business owners, especially during the pandemic. There were times I wished we had handled things differently or that we didn’t have to go through certain challenges because of how hard they were. But through that painful growth, we learned one of the most important lessons; not everyone is meant to be in your company forever, and that’s okay.

Some people are “lifers,” and others are only with us for a season. Our job is to make the most of the time we have with them. Once we accepted that, it completely changed how we approach team retention. Instead of focusing on keeping people at all costs, we focus on setting them up for success, whether that means growing with us at Alchemy, opening their own salon, going independent or even transitioning to a different career path entirely.

We maintain retention by providing real opportunities for growth. We’re constantly investing in education, mentorship and leadership development, ensuring our team has the tools to thrive. But beyond that, we create an open dialogue about their future. At the end of the day, we’re in the business of changing lives. And for us, success isn’t just about keeping people, it’s about making sure they’re prepared to succeed, wherever their path leads.

Building culture together through authenticity, mindfulness and synergy is the foundation for the Alchemy team.
 

Marlo Beauty: When it comes to social media, how do you motivate your team to stay on top of creating high-quality content and how do you see this converting to maintain full books during periods of uncertainty?
Aeryn: We focus on social media from the very beginning with The Refinery, our in-house development program. As part of that program, our team learns how to create consistency in their social media, automate content when needed and stay on top of trends. Social media is always evolving, and we want our artists to feel confident in how they show up online, not overwhelmed by it. Let’s be real; Instagram is oversaturated. It’s flooded with ads, sales pitches and an overwhelming amount of content. That’s why it’s more important than ever to stand out, understand social trends and have a consistent brand message that actually resonates with people.

On top of that, I think Google and Yelp are massively underutilized in our industry. So many stylists avoid them because they don’t fully understand how to use them effectively or fear negative reviews. But these platforms are powerful tools. When used correctly, they can be just as important as Instagram in bringing in new clients.

That being said, I see marketing shifting back toward in-person connection. After the pandemic, so many of us were starved for real human interaction, and social media alone doesn’t always build the kind of trust and relationships that keep books full. While staying on top of digital marketing is crucial, we also encourage our team to make real-world connections - networking, client referrals and word-of-mouth are still some of the strongest ways to build a loyal clientele.
 

At the end of the day, our approach is all about balance. Social media is a tool, but it’s not the only one. By combining a strong online presence with real, in-person connections, our team is able to keep their books full, even during uncertain times.

Alchemy stylists learn how to master social media, stay consistent and create content that truly connects.
 

Marlo Beauty: What advice would you give someone considering a partnership in opening a salon?
Aeryn: My biggest piece of advice is to truly consider who you’re going into business with. Do your values align? Do they share your vision not just for the salon, but for how you want to lead? When faced with pressure, challenges or tough decisions, will they stay true to those values, or will they compromise them in ways that could put you and your business in a difficult position?

Nik and I have built a strong partnership because we share the same goals, ethics and commitment to doing things the right way. For example, we have always stood firm in our decision to classify our stylists as W-2 employees, instead of 1099 independent contractors. Sure, treating our stylists as contractors would save us money, but it would go against everything we set out to build. From day one, our vision was to create a salon for stylists, by stylists, one that truly supports their careers and livelihoods. Cutting corners on something that fundamental would break the trust we built with our team. 

Marlo Beauty: What's next for Alchemy Color Lab? How do you see the salon evolving in the long term?
Aeryn: Common Haus is growing into something bigger than we ever imagined. What started as a way to bring our own salons together for training has evolved into a thriving community for metro Detroit’s beauty industry. We’re expanding our coaching program within Common Haus, mentoring salon owners not just locally, but across the country. The connections we’ve made and the impact we’ve seen have been beyond rewarding.

Looking ahead, we’re not slowing down. Alchemy will continue to evolve, Common Haus will continue to grow, and our commitment to education, mentorship and innovation will only get stronger. We truly believe Detroit is becoming a hub for beauty education, and we’re honored to be a part of shaping that future. Stay tuned, this is just the beginning!

Aeryn and the Alchemy team are committed to supporting stylists for the long haul.
 

Ready to take action? Here are three steps you can take to align with Aeryn’s collaborative approach to salon ownership today:

1. Invest in education (always)
Make learning a non-negotiable for yourself and your team. Whether it’s advanced training, mentorship, or leadership development, education keeps stylists confident, inspired and ready to grow.

2. Build authentic connections, online and in person
From detailed client consultations to confident social media content, consistency is key. Teach your team to share their work in a way that feels genuine and approachable, while also nurturing real-world relationships that keep trust strong.

3. Redefine retention as growth
Not everyone will stay forever, and that’s okay. Focus on supporting stylists while they’re with you and setting them up for success in their next chapter. A culture of growth benefits both the team and the salon.

When it comes to growing your salon, having the right support makes all the difference. From mentorship to marketing tools, every step you take to invest in your team and your clients pays off in the long run. And for everything else you need to keep your salon stocked and running strong, shop top brands at pro-only prices at Marlo Beauty Supply.