Amy | Tony | Christina | Lori | Mark | Lisa

Amy

Owner/Queen Bee

I am a native Charlottean. I have been a hair designer for 13 years. For 10 of those years I've been an educator and platform artist for Framesi, an Italian color company. In 2005 I fufilled a career long dream of owning my own hair salon by opening Shine Salon in the heart of Plaza Midwood. I always loved teaching, so my goal was to create a continuous learning environment for myself, my staff, and my clients. I love coming to work every day because it feeds my creative spirit, I learn and I'm surrounded by people with positive energy who love making other people feel beautiful.

Since my husband and I are both native Charlotteans, we have some strong opinions about the best places to be in Charlotte. Here are a few of them:

Blue - Fine dining with a great atmosphere. Check out the live Jazz Thursday through Sunday, and if you're lucky the owner, Alex, will sing you a number and play the harmonica.

Lulu's wine and dine - This is a quaint house with an intimate atmosphere. The food has a French/American/Southern twist and is to die for. They change their menu at least 4 times a year, so be sure to visit often.

Lattorre's - Fantastic Spanish cuisine, but the best of all offers up free salsa lessons on Friday and Saturday then dancing til 2am. For a great workout and the time of your life with girlfriends, it's definitely a don't miss.

Lotus - For the most unique, versatile shopping boutique around, I love this place. The service is always great. (Ask for Effie - the best clothing stylist in town) and be sure to get a Bellini while you shop.
P.S. - They always run fantastic sales at the end of the season, too. Who needs the mall with all this?

V-Cleaners - This husband and wife team are as friendly as they come. Both a cleaner's and an alteration shop, they will certainly suit your needs. By your 3rd visit, I'll bet they call you by your first name.

Club K9 - If you have dogs, this is a must. They hav a huge three part facility both in and out doors for any size or age dog. Mine play there every Friday, have their baths, and come home pooped! They love it so much, it's the only place I'll ever board them when we're away. JP and Kim always give them extra love, too.

BigHouse Markting provides online marketing services to advertisers looking to rank higher in search engines such as Google.  They offere search engine marketing and pay-per-click advertising consulting and implementation.

Tony

Front Desk Coordinator

I moved to Charlotte in March of 2007 to begin my career in public education. I currently teach 8th Grade Social Studies, so it is quite a relief to come to my “second home” during the evening and on Saturdays here at Shine after a long day of (attempting) to educate the future of America. To arrive at Shine each day and be literally greeted with the smile of people like Amy, the laugh of Christina and the warmness of Mark and Lori allows each day to seem a little nicer and the world just a little more manageable. I know our clients feel the same way. Shine has become for me and for many a place to learn, laugh and enjoy the company of colleagues and clients who show everyday creativity, style and heart. Personally, I continue to find new ways to grow as a leader - doing whatever it takes for the stylists to help each of them achieve their professional vision like never before! Moving from Detroit– the place I was born and raised all my life in - was daunting. To leave your family and friends behind to start a new career in a new city is among the hardest things I have ever done. And while I have made terrific friends here in Charlotte over the past year, my team Shine has become a new family to me.

As a newcomer, I’ve been spoiled by all my new friends who have shown me all there is to see, hear, taste, smell and feel in the Queen City… Some of my best reviewed jewels of Charlotte…

Sushi 101 – A Tuesday night tradition for a couple or half dozen of your closest friends. $1 Domestic beer flowing, fresh sushi (starting at the magic $1…) and the company of a great crowd of happy people. Ask for Jenn as your server… I’ve made eating out at great restaurants a career and she is truly among the best of the best.

Feast – Great Hummus, Gorgeous people. Gorgeous people, Great Hummus. What’s not to like? One of Charlotte’s newer restaurants on 5th Street within the HOM club complex, Feast brings delicious, yet moderately priced food, a prompt staff and a sleek, modern, ultra-urban décor. For those of you looking for a big city vibe in Charlotte, this is your place. And the outdoor patio with a lofty feel and skyscrapers looming over you is incredible.

Levine Museum of the New South – A remarkable, yet intimate, collection that tells the story what turned Charlotte from a sleepy village into the traffic-choked, skyscraper-building, boom city we love today. For history buffs, for kids, and for anyone interested in what for many of is a brand new home.

Cedar Street Tavern – Located in the Gateway District on the fringe of Uptown Charlotte this laid back hideaway provides a vacation from reality. Great pub food, a steady round of conversation and beverages…what’s not to like?

Christina

Stylist

Although I was not born in Charlotte, I have spent most of my life here.  To me this is my home.  In my four plus years in the industry, I have developed a forte in attention to detail and a focus on each client as an individual. I strive to make my consultations with each client both personal and thorough so that each consultation is unique to the client's specific needs. As a stylist who likes to stay up-to-date with current trends, I enjoy all the opportunities both Shine and this industry have to offer.

Two times a year, I am trained in the Framesi seasonal collection from Italy for both cut and color. My training has also included classes from the Redken Exchange NYC by Tim Cowen and Theresa Mockler and the Redken Symposium in Las Vegas on color, finishing, trend and design. In the last two years, I have studied with some of our industrys's top leaders such as Van Council, Michael Baker, Andrew Bartfield, Joe Blackwell, and Geno Stampora on everything from color design, consultation and business building. Last but not least, I have participated in many fashion shows and photo shoots. Put simply, I love doing this work because it forces me to step outside of the box and stretch my creativity.

And when I am not behind the chair, these are some of my favorite spots in Charlotte:

MAC’s BBQ - Some of the best BBQ in town and a great hang out if you are looking for a great mix of people

Comet Grill - Great local music and an eclectic mix of people. Also, the best French fries and buffalo shrimp in town

Pike's Soda Shop - good choice for milkshakes

Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood - Great window shopping

Soul Gastro Lounge - for dining and lounging

Twenty-Two - for sake and local art

Lori

Salon Manager

I have lived in Charlotte off and on for the past sixteen years. My true passions in life are within the beauty and fashion industries. When moving back from New York last year I knew I wanted to live, play, and work in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. This area is the most artistic and diverse in Charlotte and Shine Salon is proof of that. Some people may see this as just doing hair, but the confidence and joy you can bring to a person is remarkable! So little time, so much to see….these are my favorites!

Lulu's - There are many places in town that specialize in burgers, but this one is AMAZING! I have a few words for you, pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes. Mmmm

Boris and Natasha - Living in New York gave me the best shopping around! Luckily I have this beautiful boutique to fulfill my fashion fix!

Garden and Gun Club - If you love to dance like I do this is the place to be! No attitudes and everybody is treated like a V.I.P.

Mark

Stylist

Lisa

Stylist

I recently had the opportunity to travel to New York City and attend the L'Oreal Academy in Soho, where I took classes taught by the incredible platform and editorial hair stylist Kristjun Holt. This experience allowed me to see haircutting from a new, more creative perspective. Those who thrive in this industry realize their education never stops!

I got into this industry to help people look and feel their best every day of their life. It makes my day to help add confidence and put a smile on each of my clients when I come to work. My goal is to provide my clients an amazing experience while they are in my chair and unsurpassed customer satisfaction once they get home. The biggest THANK YOU that you can give to me is referring your friends, family and coworkers. Coming to work and not only building just a business, but a relationship, with people like you makes me very excited to call Shine my home!