Nick Stenson Beauty: Nick Stenson

Nick Stenson Beauty: Nick Stenson

July 20, 2026 · 32 min · Episode 280

About this episode

Nick Stenson shares his journey from a young hair stylist to launching a successful luxury haircare line.

Nick Stenson cut his first head of hair at 12 years old, in his mother's Chicago salon, with zero training and a customer's grandson in the chair. He was on track to become an orthopedic surgeon before realizing his mom was doing the same thing doctors do — changing how people carry themselves — one client at a time. He opened his first salon, Caviar Salons, in 2001, eventually running two locations and over 50 stylists. From there he became a creative director for L'Oréal and JCPenney Salons, styled Lady Gaga, Fergie, and Ashley Tisdale, and spent nine years at Ulta — starting with a team of seven and leaving as SVP of Services and Store Operations over a team of 400, after four promotions. In 2022 he launched Nick Stenson Beauty, a luxury haircare line built around aloe vera and creatine instead of ingredients nobody can pronounce. The brand is now sold at Ulta, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Amazon, with a professional distribution arm reaching salons nationwide. Twelve SKUs, all mix-and-matchable, no separate line for curly, straight, fine, or thick hair — just what your hair actually needs. Make sure to check them out at: https://nickstensonbeauty.com Check out my new book on…

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