Today we’d like to introduce you to Hillary Hansen.
Hi Hillary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a hairstylist. My mom took me to our local salon, where the women seemed to have it all—beautiful, successful, and genuinely happy together. After watching Steel Magnolias, I knew I wanted a place where people came not just for their hair, but for friendship, laughter, support, and a sense of home.
I dreamed of working at that salon one day.
After earning my license, I worked at a local commission salon and became manager by 19. The owner trusted me to run it, and while I gained valuable leadership skills, it often felt like babysitting. I made a promise: I would never own a salon.
Three years later, I achieved my childhood dream and was hired at the salon my mom took me to. I spent 18 years there, building my career and loving the relationships.
Eventually, a close friend opened her own salon and invited me to join. I said yes. She hired young stylists, and I discovered a passion for teaching. Their questions challenged me, and I realized I loved mentoring as much as doing hair.
After several years, I moved into a private studio to explore my next chapter.
Then everything changed.
One of my daughter’s friends asked to assist me while in beauty school. She later said she learned more behind my chair than in school and wished she’d chosen an apprenticeship. We made the switch, and soon others asked to apprentice too.
One apprentice became several. We grew quickly, rented a second studio, and soon outgrew that as well.
I began searching for a permanent home.
I found a building in Springville but could only afford half. We built out that portion and moved in. Within six months, we grew again, so I took the leap and built out the rest. Less than a year later, it was full.
Looking back, it’s funny.
I always said I’d never own a salon.
The truth is, I never set out to. I wanted to create a place where people could learn, grow, build meaningful careers, and enjoy coming to work.
About a year ago, it hit me—I had built a salon.
Not by chasing ownership, but by following my passion for education, mentorship, and creating a space that feels like home.
Today, The H Studio is everything that little girl imagined—a place where people laugh, support each other, keep learning, build meaningful careers, and make every guest feel they belong.
Owning a salon was never the dream.
Building a home for beauty professionals and the people they serve was.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been an easy road.
Building a salon takes far more than a passion for hair. It meant finding the money to build out a space, learning the systems that keep a business running smoothly, and figuring out the countless responsibilities no one prepares you for.
I’ve learned the exciting side of business—creating a vision, growing a team, mentoring stylists, and watching people succeed. But I’ve also had to learn the difficult side. Letting someone go is never easy. What many people don’t realize is that you truly care about the people who work beside you. You want what’s best for them, even when that path no longer includes The H Studio. Some of the hardest decisions I’ve made have been the ones that were right for the team as a whole, even when they broke my heart.
I’ve also learned that owning a business is a constant balancing act. I’m continually working to be present for my family while showing up for my team, my clients, and the salon. Some days I get that balance right, and some days I’m reminded that it’s something I’ll always be learning.
Owning a salon has challenged me in ways I never expected, but it has also shaped me into a stronger leader, a better teacher, and a more compassionate person. Every obstacle has reinforced why I do this—not just to build a successful business, but to create opportunities for others and a place where people truly feel they belong.
As you know, we’re big fans of The H Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The H Studio was never created to be just another salon. It was built to be a place where education, community, and exceptional service come together.
We’re an education-based salon in Springville, Utah, offering hair, nails, lashes, brows, spray tans, and esthetic services—all under one roof. While we’re known for beautiful hair, lived-in color, blonding, extensions, and custom transformations, what truly sets us apart is our commitment to continued education. We believe that when our artists continue to learn, our guests receive the very best experience possible.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve created. The H Studio is a place where artists at every stage of their careers—from apprentices to experienced professionals—are encouraged to grow, ask questions, collaborate, and support one another. We regularly bring in guest educators from across the beauty industry because we believe there’s always something new to learn.
Our goal has never been to simply fill chairs. We want every guest who walks through our doors to feel welcomed, valued, and genuinely cared for. We want our salon to feel like home—a place where clients build lasting relationships with their stylist and where every appointment is about more than just beauty.
I truly believe that when you invest in your team, your guests feel the difference. That commitment to education, consistency, and creating an exceptional experience is why The H Studio has been honored as Best Salon, in the Best of Utah Valley Awards for the past three consecutive years. While we’re incredibly grateful for the recognition, what means even more to us is earning the trust of our clients and community year after year.
The H Studio has grown because of the incredible people who have trusted us, from our talented team to our amazing guests. I’m proud that we’ve built a business rooted in kindness, education, professionalism, and community. More than anything, I hope people know that when they choose The H Studio, they’re choosing a salon that is passionate about helping both its clients and its artists become the very best version of themselves.
What are your plans for the future?
One of the things people are often surprised to hear is that I never had a master plan for The H Studio. I didn’t sit down and map out what it would become. Every step has happened naturally, and I’ve simply followed where the growth has led us.
Honestly, that’s been the most rewarding part. Watching our artists grow in confidence, build successful careers, and become incredible professionals has been just as fulfilling as watching the salon itself grow. It’s equally rewarding to see the relationships our clients build with our team and the community that’s been created within these walls.
The H Studio has become something much bigger than I ever imagined, and I still get excited about what’s next. I’m looking forward to watching our team continue to grow, welcoming new clients, and seeing where this journey takes us. In many ways, I’m just as excited to see what’s ahead as everyone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehstudio.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehstudiosalon?igsh=MmM3NGdtMzYwOXE0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HGKjvWSwW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://linktr.ee/thehstudio_
