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

Hi Abby, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Being a Colorado Native and growing up in Boulder County it is serial to think about where I am now. Some people call it Imposters Syndrome. I have my very own business on Pearl Street in downtown Boulder.

I have been doing hair and makeup for 20 years and I still love what I do. I have always said since I was young that I wanted to be a hairdresser. I believe hair runs in my blood. My aunt and cousin on my moms side both do hair. When I was young I would go to Kansas where my mom is from and I would go to work with my aunt. I would clean perm rods, sweep up hair and chit chat with the ladies there. The other stylists would tip me $1 to sweep for them and answer their phone. I felt right at home and knew when I was an adult I would do hair.

I started beauty school the fall after I graduated high school. ITS Beauty Academy was the place I called home for the next 1 year and 2 months. They say it’s a 9 month program but come on you can only sit through how to roll a perm so many times. While I was in beauty school I works as a “shampoo tech” in a small suite for a man that taught me how the beauty biz works. I think working hands on in a salon environment is very beneficial in the success of a young hairstylist. When I graduated from beauty school he opened his first salon and I was so excited to work at a brand new salon that I helped decorate. Fast forward to 2010, it was time for me to start my own business.

That’s when Shear Abby was born. I started with a small suite outside of Dallas. In those couple of years of starting my first business I realized I needed to move back to Colorado and start my life and career over.

At first I worked in a big salon with 10 or so other stylists. I made life long friends and still to this day I have a few guests that come to me. I moved around to a few different places until finally in 2018 my dream location became my new reality. I officially opened Shear Abby Salon in June of 2018.

Having a brick and mortar in the heart of downtown Boulder has transformed my business.

On July 1, 2023 Shear Abby Salon was rebranded to Bolder Beauty Collective. I personally still operate as Shear Abby. When I acquired the Pearl Street front entrance and more space I decided to make the space a collective of beauty professionals. A salon is geared toward hair, I wanted a collective of beauty professionals so the services offered can be more than just hair and makeup. With room to grow the sky is the limit with Bolder Beauty Collective.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It takes a true artist to be a professional hair and makeup artist. It isn’t an easy and takes a ton of hard work. I have worked my tail off to get where I am today. I offer luxury services and have perfected my skill. I have won a handful of awards for my Bridal hair and makeup services and I am on numerous venue’s preferred lists. Being involved in my communities Chamber of Commerce has helped tremendously.

Non of this has been easy but doing what you love helps.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my bestie was visiting we would definitely go to a show at Red Rocks, go camping in Breckinridge in our Skoolie, go to Stem cider for some flights, and of course hit Pearl Street Mall for some people watching and gelato.

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?
My family has always been my #1 support in life and in my career. I lost my dad in 2020. He was my biggest fan and supporter.

Website: https://shearabby.com

Instagram: @shearabby

Image Credits
Hannah Kutner

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.