Scott Harned – Owner/Director of Operations
Scott graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Communications. After college he was a Recruiting Group Manager for a private firm consulting to large International Fortune 100 companies for 15 years and Director of Sales and Marketing in the restaurant industry for 6 years.
Scott and his wife opened the doors to a blow dry bar and full service salon in June of 2014. This unique concept is the first of its kind in West Michigan and has gained an extremely loyal following in a short period of time.
His passion is helping others grow personally and professionally.
Rachel Harned – Owner/Director of Marketing
Rachel graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Advertising. Following college she was an account executive for the Grand Rapids Press for 5 years.
In 2010, Rachel started an airbrush tanning business that quickly outgrew the basement of her home.
In 2014, Rachel and her husband created Bombshell Blow Dry Bar, a full service salon with a blow dry bar concept in Holland, Michigan. After branding their business name in the community their staff quickly doubled in size. In the summer of 2015, Bombshell launched its associate program which employs newly graduated cosmetologists and focuses on teaching them to become a successful stylist in the salon. Her strongest attribute is her dedication to superior customer service and continued education. Watching her students grow and achieve the highest level of success is what makes it all worth it to Rachel.
Nikol Taylor – Admissions Coordinator
Nikol joined the work force at 15 years old and hasn't stopped since. She has the determination to make the most of every situation and the heart to help others reach their full potential. After following her husband around the United States while he was on Active Duty in the Marine Corps for 6 years, she worked as Office Manager at Hil-Man Automation.
Nikol is actively involved in multiple non-profits in the community, such as LYNC and Lakeshore Lifeworks, all benefiting youth who have aged out of foster care. She has a strong passion to help young adults reach their goals and achieve their dreams. She has worked at a local salon in Marketing, while studying at Baker College. She is currently earning her Bachelor’s in Business and Marketing.
Nikol joined the TSPA Holland family before the doors were open. She is excited to help current and future students not only receive a license, but also watch them grow and learn. She sees TSPA as a major stepping stone in a student’s life, an opportunity to cultivate their learning into a career they love.
Kathryn Balkon – Instructor of Cosmetology
Kathryn attended cosmetology school at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Grand Rapids. After graduation she started working behind the chair at Master Cuts for two years while attending Grand Rapids Community College where she earned a degree in Business Administration. Kathryn has been teaching cosmetology for six years. Three of those years were at Douglas J in Grand Rapids and the other three years were at Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids formally known as Excel Academies of Cosmetology.
Ever since Kathryn was a small child she said she wanted to do hair or be a teacher and now she is living out her dreams by doing both. The most exciting part of teaching is the ability to be a cheerleader for her students. She loves watching them grow into the amazing stylists they will become after attending The Salon Professional Academy.
Heather Pingot – Instructor of Cosmetology
Heather attended Douglas J Aveda Institute in East Lansing for cosmetology. Upon graduating, she accepted a position to teach at the school. After 3 years of teaching at Douglas J in Grand Rapids, she decided to move into an all male salon called Lady Janes Haircuts for Men. She managed one of many salons in West Michigan for 2 years.
Teaching has always been a true passion of hers. Heather’s goal is to create well rounded stylists to become successful in their careers after attending The Salon Professional Academy.
TeAta Burnitt - Instructor of Cosmetology
Marlene Spicer – Instructor of Cosmetology
Kiefer Simmons - Substitute Instructor of Cosmetology
Becky Stygstra - Substitute Instructor of Cosmetology
Becky graduated as a Cosmetologist in 1998 and as an Instructor in 2014. She is thrilled to teach the trade she deeply loves in order to raise professional standards in the beauty industry and help hairdressers achieve their professional goals. Becky finds it very rewarding to be influential with both the creative and business side of this form of art called Cosmetology. Throughout the student’s journey here at TSPA, she wants to provide excellent knowledge for the craft and artistry of hairdressing and provide leadership in developing a career that will change their life.
Over a decade ago, The Salon Professional Academy joined forces with Redken 5th Avenue NYC to develop a salon and cosmetology franchise that has changed the industry. Redken and TSPA collaborated to redesign what a “beauty school” was from the ground up – revisiting everything from the way things were taught to how the student salon area looked and functioned. The result was a ultra-modern training facility providing students with skills beyond what they do behind the chair; skills that prepare them for a professional, successful career.
With a commitment to industry-leading education, business skills that prepare students for more than passing state boards, and a desire to see our students surpass all expectations for this profession, Redken has provided The Salon Professional Academy franchise locations the exclusive designation of “Recognized by Redken for Excellence in Education.”
