Meet Abby Keefe: Owner // Lead Hair and Makeup Artist // Shear Abby Salon

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

Hi Abby, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always known I wanted to be a hair and makeup artist. Since I was little, like very little. I would go to work with my aunt in the summer at her salon and would make coffee, sweep hair and clean perm rods. I would tell everyone, “when I grow up I’m going to be a hairdresser.” When I graduated high school it was a no brainer. Go to beauty school. I started working under a stylist in October 2005 and November 2005 I started beauty school. I would go to school all day and then go to work at the salon for a few hours after school. I worked in Texas at first. I got a shampoo tech license and would wash all of my boss’s guests hair. I would mix color for him, hand him foils and extension hair and clean up for him. He instilled in me time is money, sweep with a purpose. When it came to me opening my own business it definitely came natural. Being a hair and makeup artist you basically work for your self from the get go. You build your own clientele, you sell retail and you build a strong relationship with everyone who sits in your chair. Now that I have been doing hair and makeup for 15+ years I often think, “what would I do if I didn’t do hair and makeup.” The answer is simple, I wouldn’t do anything else. This is what makes me know I have chosen the right career and made the right choice in opening my salon. It isn’t always easy and there is a lot more to it than just going to work at a salon and collecting a paycheck each week but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have built a solid foundation in my community by joining the local chamber of commerce. I go to networking events monthly (pre covid, of course) and I have built a wedding business I had no clue I was capable of doing. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always had a passion for hair and makeup. Since I was a young girl I knew I was going to be a hair and makeup artist. I have been in the industry for 15 years now. I get excited with every class I take and every award I win. I have received awards for weddings and have truly found my niche when it comes to Bridal hair and makeup. Getting where I am hasn’t been easy. I have worked very hard and very long days to own a salon on Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. I feel very lucky to be where I am at. I have learned how to run a successful business, I have learned what it means to have a strong and loyal clientele and I have learned I couldn’t have done it alone. I have met some incredible people though my hair and makeup journey. I have had the opportunity to work with celebrities, brides and clients from around the world and even traveled to other countries and states to do wedding hair and makeup.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love all things Colorado. If we had a full week to explore I would start with a yummy dinner at The Kitchen. The food and service are always top notch and it is one of the best experiences you can have. We would then go for drinks. If they are wine fans we would head to Bigsby’s Folly and get a wine flight. If they are beer fans I would say lets go brewery hopping. Favorite breweries are Great Divide, Avery’s and Mountain Sun. We would go on a hike fore sure right outside Boulder and see some great views. I love sports and love going to Rockie’s games. The field is so fun, the roof top is always a blast and there is always yummy food at a game. Some of my favorite towns outside of Denver that can be a bit of a drive are Crested Butte and Steamboat. If we have friends or family in town for a week or so we like to take them to either of those for at least a couple nights. The small quaint mountain towns are always so fun and so cute to tour around. We love to finish our friend/family trips with some yummy dinner and drinks. Hop Alley and Tag are two of my favorite places for dinner. I love First Draft for drinks. It’s a fun experience and you get a chance to try a ton of beer, cider and more all at one time.

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 career has come from a ton of hard work and the support from my family. My family has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and do what I love. My father passed away this year (2020) just a couple months after I got married and he has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support from both my mother and father. My other biggest cheerleader is my husband. He encourages me to do what I love and follow my heart. I have these wild dreams of what I can do to improve my business and make it bigger and better and he is always there cheering me on.

Website: shearabby.com
Instagram: @shearabby
Facebook: facebook.com/ShearAbbySalon

Image Credits
Bri Bond Kendra Colleen Christina Kiffney