Meet Emily Nickels | Owner + Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Nickels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work life balance has taught me life isn’t a balance. You are either giving more to life or more to work, and that’s okay. Give yourself grace.

I used to think it was cool to work nonstop, but now I appreciate slow mornings and simple moments.

The happiness advantage, changed my outlook on prioritizing things and seeing the good. When I am overwhelmed, I remind myself that the version of me from a year or five years ago would be so proud of what I am doing, even if it’s late gifts. Planning my week or month helps me check things off the list which brings a sense of accomplishment making me want to check more things off my list, and feel accomplished at the end of each week.

I love self help books – and although they are cliche the more I read the more I find that successful people share similar habits. At work I give 100% whether it’s posting to social media, inventory, or working behind the chair. When I am home if I still need to work – I set an hour to focus with no distractions. I used to work in front of the TV with wine, but I’ve learned that neither truly helps me relax or work effectively. Setting boundaries has been key—when I respect them, others do too.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Starting my own business wasn’t always my dream. After high school, no career really stood out to me. During a typical senior “crisis” about choosing a path, I realized I didn’t want a 9-5 job, loved talking to people, and needed variety.We landed on visiting a hair School and decided if it wasn’t the career for me it was only 10 months of my life vs 4 years. Ofcourse there was also the thing about how I also need to go to college because “hair isn’t a real job”. So that’s where it started.

I attended cosmetology school and community college while working two jobs, thinking hair would just pay my way through school. After graduating, I worked full-time, transferred to Grand Valley for a finance and marketing degree, and kept working two jobs. Life was hectic. Determined to graduate with my original class, I took 18 credits one summer and finished my degree in four years. When I set my mind to something, I make it happen, no matter the effort.

The more I did hair, the more I enjoyed it and realized I was good at it. Wanting to use my degree, I took a job as a marketing assistant for a local distributor, gaining business experience. One highlight was interviewing salons, which led me to meet Kimberly Loomis. When she mentioned she was working NYFW, I jokingly said to take my arm with her—it was an opportunity I hadn’t even imagined. That same year she asked me to join her team – one of my proudest career moments was having three of my models featured on Vogue Runway’s website at NYFW. Since then, I’ve worked as an assistant lead in February of this year and, this September, led a team of 22 stylists at NYFW. Leading such talented people was a surreal mix of pride and imposter syndrome.

As I prepare to open my salon in a month, it feels like when it rains, it pours. Blend Salon and Suites has been in the works for two years, filled with countless challenges, but I’ve learned more than I ever imagined—about business, plumbing, and standing up for myself.

I moved from commission to independent stylist because I needed the flexibility to grow. I’ve been fortunate to work for two well-run salons, and I hope to bring the best of both into my own space, offering support to stylists and fostering a clean, sustainable environment for driven, like-minded professionals.

I’ve learned to never be afraid to ask for help, always come prepared with knowledge, and embrace hard work. True success comes from what happens behind the scenes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a Grand Rapids enthusiast and often joke that I should write off going out on my taxes, since clients regularly ask me for recommendations. As a local business owner, I love supporting other small businesses.

My perfect weekend would start the morning at the Fulton Street Farmers Market, they have a beautiful set up I can walk to from my house with local grown fruits, veggies, flowers, and fun local things! Then I would head to lantern coffee – my go to coffee shop. They have the yummiest coffee and the vibes are just there. For breakfast I would head to Tera GR for the best breakfast pizza you will ever have. A short drive to the beach is always a good midday option. To end the day I would take them to dinner at Butchers Union – a local favorite by all in Grand Rapids, then head into the City for drinks at IDC, or MDRD (I’m a sucker for a fancy cocktail bar). I might stop by Founders Brewery for a local beer, as we are in Beer City USA. Then finish the day at Buffalo Traders, in my opinion the best cocktail bar in Grand Rapids.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Where to begin! I am so blessed with being surrounded by loving family and friends. Each person brings a different aspect of help whether its advice, a listening ear, or simply a cheer leader.

My parents are so intelligent in different aspects of business and are so helpful with sharing insight, advice (sometimes even when I don’t want it), and would drop anything to help me whether its reading through pages of leases, taking days off of work to help me put together a cabinet, researching a topic I don’t understand etc..

My boyfriend is whatever I need him to be in the moment, sometimes I need tough love, sometimes I just need someone to listen, sometimes I need someone to help me come to the conclusion I knew all along. Whatever I need from him he is there.

My siblings are my biggest cheerleaders, shout out to my sister Mary who always makes sure my book keeping is clean (as I used to write out my own P&L on paper). My brother David and sister Sarah are also my biggest cheerleaders and support system.

Lastly my peer Morgan – she has been my rock through opening a salon. She started as a mentor and has turned into a friend. She is always honest with me and can share real life examples as she has gone through similar success and challenges. I am so greatful for her being open and authentic.

Website: https://Blendsalonandsuites.com

Instagram: Brushedby_emily or Blendsalonandsuites

Linkedin: Emily Nickels

Image Credits
Sara Myers
Olivia Sumner
M. Iamartino