October 19, 2020
CO.LAB Hair Studio recently opened its doors to clients in the heart of the Short North Arts District, offering a relaxed, modern environment where creativity and collaboration are their main focus. We spoke with owners Ross Schultz and Kate McCliment about their previous salon experience, the lessons they’ve learned as small business owners, and what they’re most excited about for the future of CO.LAB.
Though CO.LAB is your most recent venture in the Short North Arts District, it’s not the first; what is your previous history of working in the District?
Kate and I (Ross) worked at phia salon for three years from 2011-2014, with Ross being the curator for artists showcasing their work within the salon monthly, and Kate being an educator for Aveda within the Salon. I also had a Salon Lofts location at Price Avenue from 2015 to 2016 before opening a salon Downtown.
How did you two meet, and why did you decide to open a salon together?
We met when we started at phia in 2011. We opened a salon together to create an environment that we both want to work in ourselves; something relaxed, professional, and focused on the creativity of our craft.
What important lessons have you learned as small business owners over the years?
Hire the right team and treat them with the respect they deserve to thrive and be successful! Teamwork truly does make the dream work.
Why did you want to open CO.LAB in the Short North Arts District?
The Short North Arts District feels like home to us. We have already enjoyed the sense of community and support we have had since opening our doors. The energy in the neighborhood, as well as the focus on the arts, made it a great fit for CO.LAB!
What are you most looking forward to for the salon in the coming year?
We are excited to fully integrate into the community and become a trusted “neighborhood salon” for not only our current guests, but also to those who live in the Short North Arts District. We can’t wait to be able to participate in Gallery Hop and hold open house events to let people experience our space without the commitment of booking.
How is CO.LAB providing a Short North Safe experience for guests?
At CO.LAB, we strive to make sure that our guests are always safe and comfortable. We have health and safety protocols dealing with COVID, including masks, sanitation, and social distancing. We also have a system to make sure our guests understand which parking options would be in their best interest based on their concerns and suggest they use the contactless ParkColumbus app when paying for parking.
CO.LAB Hair Studio is located at 941 N. High St and is open for Short North Safe salon services; click here to book an appointment. For more information about contactless parking and other options, visit the Parking & Transit page.