Erica Keelen
I knew from an early age that farm life was not for me! I’ve become an internationally recognized, award-winning stylist, specializing in bold artistic color, content creation, and competition coaching… Here is my story.
My journey began on a family farm in a small town called Clinton, in North Carolina. I spent my time styling friends’ hair, tearing through fashion magazines, and practicing makeup on anyone who would let me. I loved my home, but knew something was missing. I ached for a taste of city life, so at the age of 19 I left the farm to pursue my passion. I signed up for cosmetology school and soon became a stylist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
This spark quickly became a fire inside me. I knew my ambitions were too big for a small town and Jacksonville felt like just the right place. In 2010, I found myself in search of a new salon to call home when a friend decided to open, what would become, a highly successful salon in Jacksonville Beach. I was happy to take a chance and come on board as a Master Stylist and Mentor. While there, I spent much of my time growing a strong client base and educating up-and-coming stylists. But, as often comes with growth, that salon and I seemed to be finding ourselves heading down different paths. That’s when I began to feel that there was something out there I was missing.
It was with the rise of social media marketing and content creation that I began to see a change happening within the industry that resonated with that feeling. In addition, the growing hair competition circuit inspired me to begin showcasing my color on Instagram and submitting work to multiple contests. It was through this community of artists that I found the creative outlet I was missing in my daily life. I was fortunate enough to spend the next five years traveling the U.S. and abroad, working with top stylists, national and international beauty brands, and industry trade media. These experiences inspired me to strive for more. Although I had found a great salon home, I found myself daydreaming of a place where people who felt the same passion could come together. A place with the ability to serve salon clients, as well as have the freedom to express our creativity outside those four walls.
After many long conversations with a good friend (and now co-founder), what began as just a daydream evolved into an idea and, finally in 2016, turned into a reality that is Studio Sage Artistry Space. A collaborative salon full of artists that work together as a team while encouraging each to follow their own creative destiny. What came out of that is now an innovative, industry-leading concept salon that continues to pave the way for future artists.
Through it all, I’ve become an internationally recognized, award-winning stylist, specializing in bold artistic color, content creation, and competition coaching. And that feeling of missing something is now a collaborative workspace with a waiting list of artists. It’s also home to national and international award-winning professionals and an ever-growing client base. Despite all that, with big plans for 2023, we’re still just rolling up our sleeves.
Personally, I am always pushing myself to hone my skills and share them whenever possible. My newest aspiration is to coach fellow stylists who share my passion for the competition circuit and to continue traveling the country, hosting education sessions with my muse, friend, and favorite photographer, Daryna Barykina.
I still remain loyal to my clientele after 20+ years of experience, while promoting the Sage brand and continuing to grow as a professional and a person. Yet, somehow, you can still catch me on Instagram sharing my latest adventures with my husband Allan, our 2 golden doodles Marlin & Bear and Rufus the cat.
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With every service at Studio Sage, we are delighted to offer you a selection of refreshments, including light snacks, chilled water, white or red wine, and local Florida-roasted Kahwa coffee and espresso, carefully brewed in the professional Jura coffee machine.
