Meet Emilee Hoekstra | Hair salon owner + stylist

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

Hi Emilee, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I personally love taking risks. I am a thrill seeker at heart. However, I have become more conservative with the type of thrills I seek these days. With business and self I believe if you don’t take risks you don’t grow and if you’re not growing you’re not learning. Being a risk taker can make you feel vulnerable and that can be a hard feeling to feel. I believe vulnerability = growth.

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.
We’re Denver’s newest hair salon, tucked away on a quiet street in Cherry Creek, but there’s nothing quiet about the energy inside. PERLINO is a place where talent spans generations, stylists who are just beginning their careers work alongside artists with 20+ years of experience. That blend of fresh perspective and seasoned skill creates something rare: a space where everyone is constantly learning, sharing, and pushing each other to grow.

What I’m most proud of is my team. We don’t just work side-by-side, we celebrate each other’s wins and stand by each other through the hard days behind the chair. There’s a true sense of community here, and that’s what makes our space so special.

I got here by hard work, tenacity, and saying “yes” even when I was terrified. I believe real growth comes from being vulnerable and pushing past your comfort zone. I started in this industry at 18 as the youngest in the room, and I never stopped learning. Now, as a more seasoned stylist, I’m passionate about helping the next generation get their foot in the door. I refuse to gate keep, there’s enough success to go around for all of us.

The story of PERLINO began with that mission: to create a salon where creativity, education, and opportunity flow freely. My hope is that when people hear our name, they think of a place where careers are built, artistry is nurtured, and the joy of our craft is shared every single day.

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?
I’d start in Cherry Creek, it’s home to some of the best restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and unique boutiques, all within walking distance. We’d spend the morning strolling, sipping lattes, and popping into shops.

Next, I’d take them to RiNo for a street art tour. The murals alone are worth the trip, but we’d top it off with a slice of pizza at Cart-Driver because… priorities.

To wrap it all up, we’d head to the mountains for a weekend getaway. I’m partial to Vail and Beaver Creek, morning hikes, quiet walks along the river, and ending the day around a hotel’s outdoor fire pit. It’s the perfect mix of Colorado energy and Colorado calm.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my very good friend Amanda. She is a fellow salon owner and she allowed me to grow along with her and has taught me so much about the business along the way

Website: https://Www.Perlinobeauty.com

Instagram: https://PERLINO.beauty

Yelp: https://yelp.to/_A6s5Pl8zD

Image Credits
Amba Creative, Christina https://ambacreative.co/about