Daily Inspiration: Meet Katie Gartin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Gartin. 

Hi Katie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! Thanks for having me!

I think my parents and I always knew I wasn’t going to be tied to a desk job. I often wondered where an artsy, quirky young lady like myself fit into the workplace. We all thought I might be a creator, a woman who worked with her hands and got to use tools daily. And we were right!

My cousins and I always played makeover at my Grandma’s house. Her old-school Velcro rollers and lipstick were my most favorite tools of choice. I was the oldest girl cousin and loved making my sweet younger cousins feel pretty and confident after their revamping. I enjoyed watching them strut into the living room to go show the aunts their new look. It brought me so much joy making them feel special like that!

I got a job in High School because I wanted to start coloring my hair and I needed to be able to pay for it. I found a wonderful hairdresser, Erin, who inspired me and urged me to look into the wonderful world of hairdressing. She always said, “I had it” and encouraged me to look into starting beauty school. I didn’t know what it meant to “have it”, but I trusted her and wanted to find out. She is now a client of mine- a full circle moment for me.

In 2006, I started cosmetology school at The Aveda Institute Columbus. I was in heaven. I loved the chemistry lessons, anatomy tests, color theory classes, and all of my new artsy friends. I had found a new community of like-minded people and I fell hard for hairdressing.

After graduating in 2007, I started working at Studio Fovero in German Village. It is a gorgeous salon owned by a wonderful family who I will always love dearly. They brought in great education, supported me, and were a big part of my young adult life. I worked there for 11 wonderful years before opening my own space in Bexley at Bespoke Salon Studio.

I have loved owning my own business the past three years, and I hope to do it for many more to come!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been very fortunate to have had so many people to help me through any struggles, and there have been plenty. But I have learned to see every setback as a learning opportunity and grow from it.

The pandemic hit less than a year after I opened my space, which was not a part of my business plan. We lost a dear loved one, our dog died, our basement flooded, my husband broke his arm, and I didn’t have an income. My world had been turned upside down.

I pieced together ways to supplement some income and also started some business classes I had been eyeing. I used the newfound downtime as an opportunity to take on as many online haircolor, haircutting, and business classes as I could. I knew I needed to stay sharp for the tsunami of clients who would be clambering for their hair appointments once the city allowed me to open back up again.

So, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but it hasn’t been a treacherous climb either. Fortunately, I am blessed with a wonderful clientele and am very grateful for them.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been behind the chair for 16 wonderful years. I am still passionate and in love with hairdressing and the people it has brought into my life. I specialize in low maintenance, dimensional color, and everyday haircuts. As a working mama who understands the busy demands of life, I believe our hair should not be one that stresses us out. I believe in embracing natural texture and working with the hair, not against it. I will always make sure you know how to manage your look at home!

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
When I am not behind the chair, you will find me hanging out with my husband, our dog, Pippa, and our two awesome kids. We love to keep active and explore the world together.

Fun facts:

I love shopping, golf, sushi, cooking, and chocolate. I dislike cooked carrots, being tickled, and fruity candy. I have been in the local band Nick Tolford and Company for over a decade! I am 100% gluten-free and drink green tea. Video games are my guilty pleasure (especially Zelda!). I love talking about Enneagram types (type 6 here), Dressing Your Truth (type 3 here), and the 5 Love Languages. If you don’t know those things then we should talk!

I feel like my friends would describe me as quirky, dynamic, and responsible. And maybe a little silly.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: katiegartin11
• Facebook: Katie Gartin
• Other: Bespokecolumbus.com

Image Credits
Emma Low Photography