Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Craig Ovodovskaya.
Hi Kathleen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Before I ever picked up a pair of shears, I was working with fire and metal.
I started as a silversmith, running my own company in Puerto Rico called KC — Kathleen Craig Handmade by Design. I designed and handcrafted jewelry — wearable art that told a story. Later, I signed a contract with a company in Orlando called Silver Moon Creations to design pieces, but the collaboration fell through. It was disappointing, but it became a turning point.
I moved to South Florida unsure of what was next. That’s when my sister — an amazing hairstylist — looked at me and said, “You’re already an artist. Why not try cosmetology while you figure out your next move?”
So I did. I enrolled at Margate School of Beauty. What started as a temporary pivot turned into something much bigger.
After graduating, I worked at a few salons until I found Max Johnson in Coral Springs, near Parkland. I stayed there for 11 years, learning on the floor from master stylists, including my sister. I honed my craft, deepened my technique, and built strong relationships with clients.
Then COVID happened — and with it, everything changed. People weren’t comfortable in big salons anymore. I realized it was time. I had the knowledge, the experience, and the vision to create something of my own.
My then-boyfriend (now husband) lived on the east side — an area I had always dreamed of working in. So in the middle of the pandemic, I took the leap. I opened my own suite. It wasn’t easy. My clients from the northwest weren’t eager to drive across town. And in Florida, even a few miles can feel like a cross-country trip.
But I trusted my instincts. With my husband’s help, we built a website. I designed and decorated the suite myself, pouring my artistic energy into every detail.
I’m an artist at heart. I studied Fine Arts in France. And while things were slow, I even wrote and illustrated a book. Creating is in my bones — and I brought that same creativity and care to building my client base in the east.
Now, I’ve built something I’m incredibly proud of. I’m a five-star salon on Google with amazing reviews — but more than that, I’ve built real relationships.
Hair isn’t just hair. Women come to me when they’re feeling low, when they need a change, when they want to feel more like themselves again. I get to be part of that transformation. I’m not just a stylist — I’m often a therapist, a cheerleader, and a safe space.
That’s a little glimpse into how I got here. It wasn’t a straight path — but every step shaped me into the artist I am today. And I’m still creating, still growing, still deeply grateful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business with little or no savings? That was a stretch — but I did it.
When I opened my salon suite, I didn’t have a financial cushion to lean on. I put everything on my credit cards: tools, equipment, towels, capes, even the basic necessities. I told myself I’d pay it back as soon as I could — and I did. Every time I made a profit, I used it to pay down that debt. By the end of my first year, I had already paid off my credit cards.
It wasn’t just about the money. There were all the logistics, too: opening a business account, getting my license details in order, building a supply system, setting up vendor accounts. Each step took time and energy — especially during the pandemic, when supplies were harder to find and things were just… slower.
I had to research everything — from finding the right color lines to getting affordable towels and tools. I made connections with supply stores. Over time, I built real relationships. Now I have a rep I can call directly, a credit card on file with SalonCentric, and I get my color delivered straight to my door.
Tech came with its own headaches. My website had glitches early on, and my husband — who’s incredibly supportive — stepped in to help troubleshoot and build a solid online presence. (Our web base is in Europe, so we’ve had to navigate time zones, too.)
Advertising was another learning curve. I didn’t have a big budget, so I had to be strategic. Some of my early east-side clients recommended affordable ways to promote myself — like Nextdoor, Google, and word-of-mouth. That kind of support was gold.
Yes, there were bumps in the road. But I’ve always had the mindset: Have a problem? Solve it. And that’s exactly what I’ve done, step by step, challenge by challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a hairstylist and the owner of hairdoneup, and while I offer a full range of services, I’m best known for my work as a colorist — especially when it comes to blonding.
I specialize in high-level color transformations, particularly taking clients with very dark hair — level 3 and below — to clean, beautiful blondes without compromising the health of their hair. That’s what I call a true blonde specialist. Lifting already light hair is one thing, but lifting dark, textured hair while keeping it healthy and luminous takes serious knowledge, technique, and vision. That’s where I come in.
But my skills go beyond color. I also love cutting hair. I’ve taken advanced cutting classes with Master Jacob Kahn, and working solo in my own suite gives me the freedom to keep learning, sharpening my technique during downtime. Whether it’s a soft shape, a strong line, or a completely restructured look, I approach every cut with precision and intention.
What truly sets me apart, though, is my artistic vision. That’s something you can’t teach — it’s either in you or it isn’t. I studied Fine Arts in France, where I learned about color theory, form, proportion, and design — the kind of foundational training that changes how you see everything. I used to apply that eye in jewelry design as a silversmith, where I had to visualize a piece in my head and bring it to life with my hands. Today, I do the same — but with hair.
Hair is just another medium. And I treat it like art.
I don’t just follow trends — I create personalized, wearable beauty that’s grounded in design, guided by instinct, and executed with technical excellence. My clients come to me not just for a service, but for a transformation — and I deliver results that feel true to them.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who believed in me — so I want to take a moment to give credit where it’s truly due.
First, to my amazing clients — especially the ones who followed me through every chapter. You’ve been my cheerleaders, my “you’ve got this, Kathleen” voices, the ones who said you’d follow me to the ends of the earth — and you meant it. Your loyalty and encouragement gave me the strength to take the leap, and I never take that for granted.
To my husband, who has supported me in more ways than I can count — from building and maintaining my website (on top of his own full-time job) to helping with the technical side of my illustrated book. He did all the mise-en-page and layout work, and he’s always there to back me up behind the scenes.
To my sister, Shirley Craig, who taught me so much early on. Before I had a license, I was her assistant — her right hand — helping with updos and weddings. She passed on all those little tricks that only experience teaches, and I carry them with me every day.
To Brian,Defau my former boss at Max Johnson Salon, who gave me a chair when I didn’t have a big following. That space became the foundation for building my book, my experience, and my confidence.
And last — but definitely not least — I want to give credit to myself. Through adversity, personal challenges, and unknowns, I’ve kept going. I’ve stayed rooted in what I love, and I’ve built something real. When I walk into my space at hairdoneup, I feel proud. That joy and passion? It translates into every head of hair I touch.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Hairdoneup.com
- Instagram: @hairdoneup
- Facebook: @hairdoneup
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kathleen-craig-ovodovskaya
