Meet Alex Cox | Salon Owner & Hair Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Cox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to start my own salon to change the culture of salons and set the standard for salons in the Mile High City. I have been working in the industry for 12 years and have always had the intention of opening my own salon some day. The decision to open Fifty Two Eighty Salon came sooner than I had expected when my current salon decided to close due to covid. No one was really hiring and I decided to move forward with my own space. Since the decision to go on my own my current salon recently decided to stay open (I’m super happy for them), but still think this was the right path to move on to the next chapter. I will always be so thankful for my time at The Look Salon-its where I grew up, Grew as a stylist and met some of my best friends.

The salon industry has so many wonderful attributes, there is so much talent, art, individuatity, helping people feel beautiful etc. , but our industry also has a lot of jealousy, competitiveness and cattiness. So I decided I wanted to create a space that does it’s best to apply cancel culture to the negative attributes of our industry and give myself, fellow stylists and our clients a place that feels welcoming and inclusive.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love working in the salon industry. I love that I get to meet new people on a daily basis, be social and artistic and also get to be a sounding board and support for so many people. The time I get to spend with my clients is intimate, there is a lot of trust not only in having control over their hair, but a lot of trust in what they choose to share with us about their persoal lives. I love being able to make people feel beautiful and handsome, but I also love getting to help people work through or get things off their heart and mind and send them out in a better place then they were before. A lot of my clients have been a sounding board and support for me over the years too and I appreciate it tremendously.

I am very proud of not following the traditional path of going to college. Education is always a good thing, but not the right path for everyone. It wasn’t an easy choice and not the most supported choice initially, but I am proud of the career I have been able to build and I dont second guess if this was the right choice for me. I also feel blessed because I genuinly like what I do for a living which most people dont have the pleasure of saying.

I started working in the industry when I was 19 and was the youngest person in my salon for a long time. Iv’e learned that being professional and mature beyond your years is important when you are self employed. Also being kind is always important. Working in a customer service industry has also really tested and made me learn the value of patience and has made me much more understanding and patient with anyone working in a service industry. Iv’e learned there is always so much to learn and I love seeing tricks and new ways of doing hair-the people in this industry really are amazing and true artists.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Favorite spots in the city are wash park, cherry creek, the highlands/Rino and of course the mountains are beautiful. My friends and I are big foodies so we love going everywhere and anywhere new or our favorite spots. I love checking out any new exhibits that come to colorado- so we would probably being going to something like MeowWolf, Van Gough exhibit, blossoms of light etc. Brunch is always our best time too and a litle bit of bubbles never hurt anyone. I also love going to the movies. Red rocks is a must if you have never been to colorado-just to see but a concert there is an experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that I owe credit to and thanks in opening Fifty Two Eighty Salon.

I am thankful and in debt to my parents for helping me. They made cosmetology school possible which led me to this path of opening Fifty Two Eighty Salon. They not only helped me monetarily, but have helped with sweat, emotionally and physical equity in this space and I will always be appreciative of their kindess.

I am thankful for my clients who have always supported me personally and professionally. I have met so many wonderful people over my 12 years who I would consider my friends and not just my clients.

My Business coach has been a salvation and a huge asset in this process and I wouldn’t know how to do the majority of this without her. I have my sister to thank for introducing her and know that Fifty Two Eighty salon starting on the right foot is because of this introduction.

My boyfriend has put in a lot of sweat equaity, supporting me mentally and social media post equaity on my journey.

My friends have helped me navigate and support the emotional rollercoaster of opening a business.

My General contractor and friend and all of the subcontractors and trades who have put their time and sweat equaity into the space are bringing my vision to life.

Website: fiftytwoeightysalon.com

Instagram: @fiftytwoeightysalon

Facebook: Fifty Two Eighty Salon

Image Credits
Gerald Radetsky Alex Cox Chris Mendoza