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From education to creative haircare solutions, innovation continues to be a big part of Redken's DNA. Today is indeed an exciting time at the New York City-based company. American Salon Editor in Chief Kelley Donahue recently caught up with newly appointed Redken leaders Leslie Marino (LM) and Shane Wolf (SW), who have been tapped to spearhead new initiatives designed to reinvigorate the brand while helping stylists to learn, earn and live better lives.
Q: How did you get your start in the professional beauty business?
LM: I've worked in the beauty industry for 20-plus years, starting in the Luxe division at L'Oréal USA before transitioning three years ago to the Professional Products Division as the general manager for Kérastase and Shu Uemura Art of Hair. Later, I took on the role of general manager for Essie Professional, as well. I feel quite lucky to operate within the professional beauty market because we have a key ingredient that the luxury and consumer markets only wish they possessed: the stylist. We have professionals who bring our products to life for the consumer.
SW: Unlike most of my colleagues in corporate roles, I'm proud to be first and foremost a stylist. I began my career at Xenon International Academy in Wichita, KS, and after working in and owning salons, I discovered that my real passion was the product. I began calling the regional manager of a salon brand nearly every day until I finally convinced her to give me a shot as an education manager. That felt like my lifelong job because I loved being able to help my fellow stylists be more successful in their careers. Shortly thereafter, while working at another company, a mentor of mine said, "You should be in marketing. Those guys are great marketers with experience developing household cleaners and food but they always seek your advice as a stylist to guide them. Why aren't you just doing the job?" I heeded the advice and took a big step backward in title and rank so I could move into a product development and marketing role. The rest is history, filled with more 18-hour workdays than I care to recall and millions of airline miles. Along the way, I accepted an offer to...