Conversations with Stephanie Ruggeri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ruggeri.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my career in Columbia, South Carolina, where I had the opportunity to train under some of the best educators in the Southeast, including editorial training through Kevin Murphy education and Davines. From early on, I fell in love with editorial styling, texture work, and creating hair that felt both beautiful and lived in. Over the last 20 years behind the chair, I’ve specialized in thick curly hair, blonding, and perms, and became known for what I coined as the “Carolina Blonde” soft, dimensional blondes inspired by natural sun-kissed color with a luxury finish.
After almost 10 years of salon suite ownership in Ohio, I recently opened my own salon, The Hair Alchemist, a space that blends elevated beauty services with artistry, individuality, and a touch of mysticism. Alongside hair, I also incorporate tarot and intuitive elements into my brand and client experience, creating an environment that feels personal, creative, and transformative. Throughout my career, I’ve been honored with recognition including Best of Rocky River and featured as best of through WeddingWire. My goal has always been to combine technical skill, artistry, and genuine connection so every client leaves feeling confident, empowered, and truly seen.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest obstacles in my career was essentially starting over after spending 10 years building my name and clientele in South Carolina. When I moved to Ohio, I had to rebuild my business completely from scratch new clients, new networking, new reputation while still raising the standard for the kind of work and experience I wanted to provide. It taught me resilience, consistency, and how important genuine relationships are in this industry.
I also worked hard to create a balance between luxury and accessibility. I wanted my clients to feel like they were receiving a high-end, editorial-inspired experience without feeling intimidated by pricing that made beauty feel out of reach. That balance became a huge part of my brand elevated hair, personalized artistry, and an environment that feels welcoming, creative, and authentic.
As someone who specializes in thick curly hair, blonding, texture services, and transformative color work and having my prices by length not gender, I’ve also had to carve out my own lane creatively. Incorporating tarot, spirituality, and personal transformation into my salon experience wasn’t the traditional route, but it ultimately became one of the things that made The Hair Alchemist feel unique and deeply personal to both me and my clients.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My specialties include thick curly hair, dimensional blonding, lived-in color, perms, and transformative texture services. I’m known for creating customized “Carolina Blonde” looks soft, natural, luxury blondes designed to complement each client’s texture, skin tone, and lifestyle.
With editorial training through Kevin Murphy education and 20 years behind the chair, my work blends technical precision with artistry, focusing on healthy hair, movement, and effortless wearability. I also specialize in personalized client experiences that combine beauty, confidence, and creativity with energetic balance through the unique atmosphere of The Hair Alchemist.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned throughout my career is that authenticity matters more than trying to fit into industry expectations. The moments my career grew the most were when I fully embraced my own style, creativity, and vision instead of trying to blend in. Building The Hair Alchemist taught me that clients connect just as much with energy and experience as they do with the final result.
I’ve also learned the importance of resilience and adaptability. Rebuilding my business from scratch after moving from South Carolina to Ohio pushed me to trust my skills, stay consistent, and understand that growth takes time. Every challenge from building clientele to opening my own salon helped me become stronger both personally and professionally.
Most importantly, I’ve learned that beauty is deeply personal. Hair has the ability to transform confidence, identity, and how someone feels about themselves. That’s why I focus so heavily on creating an experience where people feel seen, comfortable, and empowered not just styled.

Pricing:

• All over color $95
• Full Carolina blonde $250
• Partial Carolina blonde $175
• Permanent wave $250
• Below shoulder length haircut #65

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Stephthehairalchemist.com
• Instagram: Steph the hair alchemist
• Facebook: Steph The hair alchemist