Keenan Artelli

“Getting your hair done is supposed to make you feel like yourself, to feel authentic. That should start from the moment you try and book an appointment,” Keenan Artelli tells GO. “It was important to me that my salon be a safe and welcoming space for clients from start to finish.” Launched in 2020 in a 300-square-foot suite with a staff of two, Keenan Salon now boasts a large space in Atlanta, Ga., and a staff of 15. Artelli also teaches advanced consultation and cutting techniques at other salons and mentors stylists through Bloom Academy, Keenan Salon’s in-house training program. Inclusion for clients and stylists, as well as price transparency, are two of Artelli’s highest priorities. “We don’t accept tips [at Keenan Salon] because we believe professionals should be paid fairly by their employer, not depend on customer generosity,” she explains. “Tipping in the United States has historical roots in systems that allowed businesses to underpay workers, particularly Black workers after the Civil War, and later women in service industries. By building fair wages directly into our pricing, we create a more transparent and equitable system where our team is valued for their expertise and great service is simply the standard.” In addition to her salon and education efforts, Artelli has built a widely followed social media platform as well as Love is Love, an inclusive events and wedding team that brings beauty, artistry, and creativity into every celebration and aims to make all clients feel seen and celebrated. –LE