Owners Shelli and Paul Harlow don’t miss a beat when asked why they decided to open a small business, “It’s a great way to support our community.”

Shelli, a Kansas City native, says, “This is home.” Shelli’s husband, Paul Harlow, grew up in Omaha and both have family here. This is their community. When the time came to make a decision about her future as a hairstylist, Shelli knew what she wanted to do, and in February 2009, Shelli and Paul opened Pure Hair Studio, a six-chair salon, located in Northwest Omaha.

Shelli started her career as a hairstylist working in a small salon. She eventually went to work in a large salon, where she worked as a stylist, an assistant manager, and eventually manager of that location. When Shelli’s son was born, she decided it was time to go back to a small salon environment. Shelli, like many other stylists, found herself as an independent stylist working in a salon studio suite. She says, “I liked the independence of being my own boss, but I missed working with other stylists.”

Shelli knew other stylists felt the same way and she wanted to create a space for herself and others, where they could be independent and have the freedom to work the way that was best for them and their families, while still taking advantage of the inspiration that comes from working closely with other stylists. Pure Hair Studio was born.

Shelli Harlow and Pure Hair Studio have evolved since opening 16 years ago. “We’ve moved!” Now located in Elkhorn, 1404 N. 203rd Street Suite #108, Shelli, along with five other stylists, says, “I’m grateful to my husband and the team of like-minded women I work with. They help make this salon a great place to be and work.”