Beauty Boss: Christine Thompson, Co-Founder of Spoke & Weal Salons
Christine Thompson.
Our latest Beauty Boss is Christine Thompson, a renowned colorist and co-founder/co-owner of Spoke & Weal—a successful and rapidly-expanding chain of independently owned, non-franchise luxury hair salons. One of the industry’s most talented and in-demand colorists, Thompson is known for her ability to create beautiful, natural hair color with innovative techniques while protecting hair from damage.
Her career has taken her to just about every corner of the world, from photo shoot sets and runways to the mainstage for leading hair brands. She has also worked as a global guest artist for many of the world’s top haircare brands, as well as an educator and mentor to established and aspiring hair industry professionals.
In 2008, Thompson met renowned hairstylist and educator, Jon Reyman, while working backstage at Fashion Week. After working the intense fashion show circuit together in the United States and Europe for many years, the two joined forces to launch Spoke & Weal. Since opening their first salon in 2013, Thompson and Reyman have continued to expand and now have 10 locations across the country with several more in the works.
Each Spoke & Weal location is designed with the client in mind and features a spacious, open layout with high ceilings, lots of natural light, and luxurious details to offer an elevated experience. The extensive service menu includes everything from haircuts and custom color to extensions, coily hair services, hair treatments, and more.
Efficiency is one of the most important aspects of the Spoke & Weal experience, with salon team members working together as a collaborative effort to get clients in and out of the salon as quickly as possible. Thompson and Reyman also place great emphasis on educating and mentoring team members, whether it’s providing ongoing educational training sessions or offering opportunities to work alongside them at a shoot or Fashion Week show.
We chatted with Thompson, who shared the inspiration behind her successful salon chain, favorite beauty and wellness tips, and much more.
Thompson is of the industry’s most talented and in-demand colorists who is known for her ability to create beautiful, natural hair color with innovative techniques while protecting hair from damage.
When was Spoke & Weal founded and what does the name mean?
Spoke & Weal was founded in 2013. We wanted something that spoke to the collaborative aspect of our brand. It wasn't really about Jon and me. Many salons are named after the founders and that's not something we were thinking of doing at all.
You need all the spokes in a wheel for it to function, and when you think of a wheel moving forward, it’s a result of momentum and energy of the entire collective and group. We believe that we're all highly valuable members of the team. Whether it's somebody who's just started with us or somebody who's been with us for 10 years, we all play a part.
Weal means unity and prosperity, like the welfare of the community. So again, it's that collaboration, teamwork, and the power of a group of people all moving in the same direction.
What inspired its creation?
Jon and I had worked backstage together at Fashion Week and were able to accomplish so much as a team, even things that you’d think were impossible. You're backstage, you've got 60 models to work on for the runway and they need hair, makeup and everything done in 10 minutes.
We had both worked at different salons and I had owned my own salons before, so we had this idea for the “perfect” salon we both wanted to work at that we wished existed. We wanted to try to create the kind of perfect salon environment where the service provider's primary purpose is to service guests in a way that makes sense.
How many salon locations do you have and where?
Currently we have 10 salons with locations in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Francisco, New York (SoHo and Flatiron), Chicago, Austin, Nashville, Boston, and Minneapolis.
Future plans for the brand?
Going international and opening more Spoke & Weal salons in other countries. Right now we’re looking at the U.K. and then will go from there. Like Jon always says, it’s “world domination.”
Thompson working on a client at Spoke & Weal’s Los Angeles location.
Who inspires you?
Our team. A lot of times it's our newest team members coming into the industry because of how excited they are about everything, and how fresh and ready they are to learn. That’s where I get my inspiration.
Secret to success?
I picked something that I really love. When you really love something and you're passionate about it, you also need to be consistent and open to learning, no matter how long you've been doing something.
Beauty secrets?
Make sure when you use products that you're using them consistently, whether it's skincare or hair care. As a colorist, K18 has been a game changer for the industry because it gives me so much more flexibility around the things that I can do when I’m coloring clients’ hair. Whether people are coming in with previous damage and I'm getting their hair back to a healthier state or if I'm preventing damage from occurring, it's been a huge game changer.
Wellness tips?
I’m big on consistency, so taking vitamins and practicing daily healthy habits is important. I'm really into my health and watch what I eat. I'm vegan so I make sure that I eat good quality food because it’s my fuel and what gives me energy. I’m older now and in order to work and operate at the rate and speed that I do, I have to follow a good diet and stay on track.
Best advice?
Go with your gut, be true to yourself and your beliefs, and you'll end up landing where you need to land.
Favorite way to relax?
Self-care is very important for me. I get acupuncture, massage, I practice yoga, and I work out consistently. Working out helps me relieve a lot of stress and it also helps re-energize me too.
For more information about Spoke & Weal, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @spokeandweal. Follow Christine on Instagram: @christinethompsonhair.
[Images courtesy of Christine Thompson]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk