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RAD RENTALS

n ever-growing breed of stylists seek one thing: independence. Branching out on their own but not retiring to old- school basement setups, they rent chairs at salons that welcome this approach. Stylists who travel this route often become industry outcasts, fighting for legiti- macy in the eyes of former beauty school classmates and colleagues. But the stigma is changing as licensing requirements shift and more stylists buck the establishment. (Come 2011, all stylists must complete six hours of continuing education every two years; it jumps to 12 hours in 2012.) In Bay View sits one of the best-known

A

rental salons with a well-respected top stylist at the helm. Dan Olkives runs

Tease Salon (2222 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.,

414-489-7198), a six-chair, wonderfully eclectic space with always-changing décor, floating mirrors and an outdoor patio for nice weather. Although Olkives (aka Hair Man Dan) has hopes to one day expand into a traditional salon with the second-floor space, he’s content with every stylist owning his or her own business under his roof. They set their own hours and prices, and choose their product lines. Olkives seems to work constantly, sometimes seven days a week, and is an educator with Goldwell. “We came in, and business just exploded,” he says. Buyer beware: He loves show tunes. In Walker’s Point, you’ll find the newly

relocated M Salon (716 S. Second St., 414-

831-0545). An open-concept space owned by Michelle Kremski, who trends toward the extreme but can do anything, is also home to top stylist Al Oldham, well-known in these parts. He’s a go-to for men’s cuts but also does women’s hair and just took a Keratin straightening class.

Out in Oconomowoc, within Cutting Edge

(1401 Marks Rd., Oconomowoc, 262-569-

1457), is Susan Giudice, who calls her setup Susan’s Salon. A stylist with 28 years experience, she consistently seeks out education opportunities and is a true busi- nesswoman. “It’s really a business within a business,” she says. Other industry notables (and some new- comers) are the East Side’s The Beehive

Salon & Boutique (1547 N. Farwell Ave.,

414-277-7768), Cedarburg’s Clementine

(W61 N506 Washington Ave., Cedarburg,

262-376-7677) and Whitefish Bay’s

Fringe (5630 N. Lake Dr., Whitefish Bay,

414-967-0060) with Jackie Mickelsen and Amy Haubrich. Well-respected Holly Bilicki of Brookfield’s The Colour Tube (13860

Greenfield Ave., Brookfield, 262-641-7538)

closes out the list along with Kristina Cas- tillo, who rents a chair there. These stylists and salons have all earned respect and are paving the way for younger pros.

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