Northfield hair studio owner finds passion from family
December 19, 2011 1:46PM
Kevin Bolz, owner of Salon 3, gives his 20 year old daughter Sarah Bolz, some curls . | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 20, 2011 1:09PM
For hair stylist Kevin Bolz, this year marks the tenth Christmas without his mother Dolores Sheridan of Chicago.
“What reminds me most of my mother during the holidays is when I hear “Silent Night.”
As he watched his mother fight lung cancer, the disease that would ultimately take his life, “it reminded me never to feel sorry for myself and to remember her attitude during that time and how Christmas was her favorite holiday.”
“She never lost the spirit,” he said.
With passion instilled by family, Bolz remains driven and successfully runs his own salon, Studio 3 in Northfield.
A Merrillville , Indiana resident, he makes the estimated 120 mile round trip four days a week to Northfield to welcome those held dear.
“I have developed lifelong relationships with many of my clients,” says Bolz, proudly. “I value them like family.”
Bolz began styling hair at age 20.
“I have always had a passion for fashion and design,” says Bolz. “I was in school planning an art major and the transition was easy.”
“I discovered, with my art background, I was quickly drawn to color with a desire to finish every look I created.”
After studying at Wilfred Academy, things fell into place for Bolz.
“The director of the school took favor on me and I landed an assistant position at Nieman Marcus salon in Northbrook .”
The luxury retailer gave Bolz a chair full time after assisting stylists for one and half years. After his big break at Nieman Marcus, Bolz’ client roster grew, leading to his first show in Chicago with famed New York stylist Anthony DeMay.
His career has provided him with many opportunities, including working as a stylist at Highland Park ’s Waves Hair Design, and becoming an educator with product companies KMS and Schwarzkopf.
In 1999, Bolz opened his first salon, Kevin Morris, which became “one of Highland Park ‘s busiest salons.”
With a staff of nine hairdressers, five manicurists and several assistants, Bolz had the confidence to pilot a Tuscon, Arizona training program at Rex Studio, traveling monthly.
But home is where the heart was, and Bolz landed on former Glenview Naval Air Station runway property at The Glen, where he became Pascal Pour Elle’s salon director and educator.
“This all led me to my current studio,” said Bolz.
As Studio 3 owner, Bolz works Wednesdays through Saturdays, allowing freedom to travel. He has been to Italy and recently to England.
These days, “I am a national educator and artist for GK Hair,” says Bolz, of the products sold in nearly 70 countries.
“We have the best in hair taming products.”
While holiday hair trends include 1940s glam, soft up-dos and long braids or bobs for children, style is deeply personal, advocates Bolz, who reaches out to special patients.
“One (client) was surprised when I decided that in honor of my mother, I chose to care for her wig at no charge until she grew her hair back,” he said.
His mother would be proud.
See Kevin Bolz at Studio 3 at 1670 Willow Road, Suite 101 in Northfield . Call 847-414-7209.
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