The Studio Stylists

“Let’s be real. I have been fired from every job I’ve had” Adam states while being interviewed at the opening of his second location. “After a while it starts to make you think maybe it’s not everyone else that is the problem.”

Adam, the creator and founder of The Studio by Adam Lee Kenney, has had many achievements in his nearly 15 years of doing hair. Buying and selling salons, building a loyal clientele in Chicago and Los Angeles, taking class after class offered in any type of hair advancement he could find. Yet, when asked about any of it, he stated “It doesn’t matter what I’ve done before. None of it was comparable to creating what I created at The Studio.” He went on to say “When I opened my space I had no idea what it was going to be. I just knew that I had been fired from every single job that I’d had and I couldn’t find the right fit for me. So, I built it. What I didn’t know was the space that I would literally build with my own two hands, would also be what many others in the same situation were looking for as well.” Since then, The Studio has opened its doors to many different types of stylists and colorist. Maybe they weren’t in the same situation Adam was in, but another that also made The concept of The Studio look appealing. Adam goes on to tell us “After a while there were so many different stories. So many different uses for the space that I created that one day it just clicked. This is exactly what I had been searching for in everyone else’s salons. I was proud to offer anyone who needed a place to work a place that is designed for the stylist. No other salons will market the fact ‘we do not cater to the people in the chairs getting their har done.’ But we do. We have created a space that is designed to be whatever you need it to be by offering a space that focuses on keeping the stylist happy at all costs.” He then went on to tell us a long list of amenities and bonuses that you get from working in The Studio as an independent stylist. He told us that he wants prospective renters to leave the space their first time seeing it thinking ‘this is too good to be true’. “If they think that then I have properly sold them on all the things we offer.” And believe me, it is a very impressive list.

Adam has focused on making other industry professionals life easier, but he says he never intends to stop doing hair himself. “I am not an office person. I am not a 9-5 person. I hate it when I have to sit at my desk for too long. I crave being behind the chair so I will never stop doing it. Even if it’s just for fun.” Adam specializes in blonding and is available for booking in LA any time his schedule is open online and in Chicago once each month. (warm months that is.) “I usually put a blast on the instagram accounts (@TheStudioSilveralke, @TheStudioLakeview) to let my Chicago guests know I will be coming into town. But, just be aware if you’d like to see me there… I do NOT travel back when it’s snowing!”

The founder of The Studio by Adam Lee Kenney also told us he has a lot of ideas for the future. When asked if there will be any new locations and where, he replied “YES! I don’t know when or where yet. But, I would love it to be as soon as possible! and maybe Miami? New York? I am not sure. Realistically there will probably be a few more locations in both the LA area and different Chicago neighborhoods first. But, it’s fun to dream.

We ended our time with the industry disrupter with some insanely vague news about what he’s been working on outside of The Studio concept. “Keep an eye out for The University by Adam Lee Kenney and Retouched.” Two brand new things coming our way that he wouldn’t elaborate on any further. We will keep our eyes peeled, Mr. Kenney, and can’t wait to see what comes next.