Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Falzone.
Hi Ashley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Before A|F SALON was a name, a space, a team, or a brand, it was an idea.
And honestly, I didn’t have some perfectly mapped-out plan for how I was going to get here.
I started where a lot of people in this industry start — at the bottom. I was a hairstylist with a love for what I did, a lot to learn, and a feeling that I was capable of more. I knew I didn’t just want to do hair. I wanted to build something of my own.
So I did.
Building A|F SALON meant learning how to do everything — not just behind the chair. I had to learn business, marketing, websites, SEO, client communication, branding, hiring, operations, and what it actually takes to keep a business running.
There was no magic moment where everything suddenly came together.
There were a lot of moments where I had to figure it out as I went.
I built the salon from the ground up, creating the space, the brand, and the experience I wanted my clients to have. What started as an idea eventually became a real salon in Kansas City’s Crossroads — and then became something much bigger than I originally imagined.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that success in this industry isn’t just about being talented with a pair of shears or knowing how to create the perfect color. It’s about being willing to keep learning when you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s about taking risks when staying comfortable would be easier. And it’s about showing up even when the results aren’t immediate.
Over the years, A|F SALON has grown into a place known for color, extensions, vivid hair, bridal services, and creating looks that actually feel like the person wearing them. We’ve built a team, expanded our services, continued investing in education, and created a salon experience that feels like us.
And there have been plenty of milestones along the way that I’m proud of — including building a reputation for extensions, growing our presence in Kansas City, and reaching the point where other stylists want to build their careers alongside the business I started.
But when I look around the salon, I don’t just see what it is now.
I see where it started.
I see every long day, every risk, every mistake, every lesson, every client who trusted me, and every time I could have decided that something was too hard — but didn’t.
Starting from the bottom isn’t glamorous.
Building something from nothing takes time. It takes sacrifice. It takes being willing to do the jobs nobody sees and learn things nobody teaches you. There were plenty of times I had to bet on myself before anyone else could see what I was trying to build.
But that’s also what makes the view from here so much better.
A|F SALON isn’t just a salon I opened.
It’s something I built.
And I’m still not done.
Because making it was never about getting to the top and staying there. It was about proving to myself that I could start with an idea, turn it into something real, and keep building from there.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building A|F SALON has definitely not been an easy or straight path. One of the biggest challenges has been realizing that being good at doing hair and being good at running a business are two completely different things.
When I first started building the salon, I had to learn so much outside of the chair. I had to figure out the business side, marketing, finances, branding, websites, SEO, client communication, hiring, and the day-to-day responsibilities that come with owning a business. There wasn’t someone standing over my shoulder teaching me how to do it. A lot of it was learning through experience — and sometimes learning the hard way.
Another obstacle has been building something while constantly having to evolve. The beauty industry changes quickly. Trends change, clients’ expectations change, social media changes, and what worked five years ago might not work today. I’ve had to continually educate myself, rethink how I do things, and be willing to change direction when something wasn’t working.
I’ve also learned that building a team comes with its own challenges. When you create something you’re extremely passionate about, it’s hard to find people who see the vision the same way you do. Learning how to lead people, set expectations, create boundaries, and still maintain the culture I wanted for the salon has been a huge part of my growth as an owner.
And then there are the personal challenges that come with putting your name on something. When you’re the owner, it’s easy to feel like everything falls on you. When something goes wrong, there’s nobody else to blame. When business is slow, you feel it. When someone leaves, you feel it. When you make a mistake, you have to own it.
I’ve learned that obstacles don’t necessarily mean you’re on the wrong path. Sometimes they mean you’re being forced to grow into the person who can handle where you’re trying to go.
I didn’t start A|F SALON knowing how to be a salon owner. I became one by doing it.
Every difficult season taught me something. Every mistake made me better. Every setback forced me to get more creative and more resilient.
And honestly, that’s a huge part of why I’m proud of where A|F SALON is today. I know how much work went into getting here — because I was there for all of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about A|F SALON?
A|F SALON is so much more than just a place to get your hair done — it’s the people who make it what it is.
I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built and the individual talent each person brings into the salon. We have stylists who specialize in everything from dimensional blondes and lived-in color to vivid colors, hair extensions, bridal hair and makeup, and precision cuts. Everyone has their own strengths, personality, and creative style, and that’s what makes our salon so special.
What sets A|F SALON apart is that we aren’t trying to make every stylist or every client fit the same mold. We have a team of genuinely talented people who are passionate about what they do, and we’ve created an environment where they can do it their way.
Our salon is located in Kansas City’s Crossroads, and we’re known for creating elevated, customized hair experiences while still keeping the atmosphere welcoming and personal. Whether someone is looking for a major color transformation, extensions, a vivid look, bridal services, or simply wants to feel amazing leaving the salon, our goal is always to make them feel like the best version of themselves.
But what I’m most proud of brand-wise isn’t one particular service or even the salon itself. It’s the team.
I’m proud that A|F SALON has become a place where talented stylists can grow, build their clientele, express their creativity, and be surrounded by other people who genuinely love this industry.
At the end of the day, you can have a beautiful salon and an amazing brand, but the people are what make clients come back. I’m incredibly proud of the women and stylists who have helped make A|F SALON what it is today, and I think that’s what I want readers to know most: when you book with us, you’re not just booking a hair appointment — you’re booking with someone who cares deeply about their craft and the experience they’re creating for you.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
One of my favorite things about Kansas City is that it still has that big-city feel without actually feeling like a big city. There’s so much creativity here, especially in areas like the Crossroads, and I love being surrounded by local businesses, artists, restaurants, and people who are constantly creating something new.
I also love how supportive the Kansas City community can be. There’s a real sense of pride in shopping local and supporting other small businesses, and as a small business owner, that means a lot to me. I’ve been able to build A|F SALON here and become part of a community that I genuinely love.
Of course, there are things that drive me a little crazy. The construction and road situation can be a nightmare, and getting around Kansas City sometimes feels like an adventure you didn’t ask for. I also think Kansas City can be a little behind some other cities when it comes to certain trends, especially in the beauty and fashion industries.
But honestly, I think that’s part of what makes Kansas City exciting. There’s still so much room to grow. I love being in a city that’s evolving, and I’m excited to see what Kansas City continues to become — especially in the Crossroads and the small-business community.
For me, Kansas City feels like a place where you can start something from the ground up, make a name for yourself, and actually become part of the community while doing it. That’s something I really value.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.afsalonkc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afsalonkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afsalonkc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-falzone-212744111/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@afsalonkcluxuryextensions
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@afsalonkc
