Meet Hind Haidar | Salon owner and hairstylist

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

Hi Hind, what is the most important factor behind your success?
To me the definition of success is to live a good life that is aligned with your values. I could make a million dollars a year but if I didn’t like myself for how I made it, I would not feel successful. I am proud to have created a business that is aligned with my values of social justice, where I have strived to make my salon accessible to all genders, ages and abilities and pay my team a living wage. It is aligned with my value in healthy living, because all our products and building materials are as low toxin as possible. And with my value of sustainability, because we recycle 95% of all our waste and reduce waste through energy efficient appliances and fixtures. And of course we do really great hair and stay on top of trends in the industry. All of this attracts our dream client, who wants to support businesses that align with their values, and have really cool hair!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d own a sustainable, inclusive salon with several employees and a solid reputation in the community I probably wouldn’t have believed you. At that time I was about to start a graduate program in social work and I wanted to become a therapist, but covid came and my kids needed me to support their homeschooling and graduate work seemed like too much to take on at the time. It wasn’t until I saw the space and Gold’s Marketplace where this seemed like an idea that could fly. I had no idea where the money was going to come from, and while I had decades of experience in the industry, I’d never had employees or built out a retail space. Also, I am a single mom and sole bread winner, nwhich made the risk so much scarier. Just like everyone told me, it cost twice as much and took twice as long as I thought it would. There were lots of moments of me crying on the floor thinking “what have I gotten myself into?!” but I made it and I never compromised non my vision! Once I signed that lease I no choice but to make it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d do a weekend retreat at the Drala Center in Red Feather lake where we would meditate, hike and visit the stupa. We’d hit up some hot springs, maybe Mount Princeton. Then we’d head back to Denver and visit the Denver Art Museum and soak up some art and culture. We’d definitely catch shows at the Mission Ballroom and Red Rocks. We’d go record shopping at Wax Trax and book shopping at Tattered Cover. We’d go to lunch in RINO and walk around and see the amazing street art. We’d have lemon blueberry pancakes at Snooze, and have a country sushi dinner at DOMO in their garden during cherry blossom season and visit the world war 2 museum. . We’d also have dim sum at Star Kitchen. And get coffee and croissants at Bakery 4. Then we’d go to The Brass Armadillo and browse antiques and end up on South Federal for Pho.

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?
I’ve had some incredible mentors in the beauty industry but my mother shaped me as a person more than anyone else. She was an antiwar activist during the Vietnam War, and marched for civil rights during the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s She was a clean eating and beauty advocate before that was a trend. I always had healthy meals made from scratch ingredients, and the most simple beauty treatments, like lemon juice to lighten my hair, and sugar wax for hair removal. She loved music and different cultures, and that informed so much of my worldview. She was and artist and a healer, and I believe my creativity and healing energy are a gift from her. She recently passed away but she is still with me in everything I do, and in my siblings and or kids.

Website: https://www.thecuttingroomco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuttingroomco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063572349525

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=The+Cutting+Room&find_loc=Wheat+Ridge%2C+CO+80033

Image Credits
Mio Sison III