There is something special about watching someone grow into their role.
Not just learning it, but owning it. Shaping it. Becoming someone others rely on.
Recently, we’ve had the opportunity to celebrate two of our managers who have done exactly that. Their paths look a little different, but what connects them is how they’ve leaned into growth, taken ownership, and built trust along the way.
Amber Padia: Presence, Pride, and Purpose
In under two years, Amber has moved from front desk receptionist at our New Albany location to Manager at Westerville. It’s a fast climb, but when you spend a few minutes around her, it starts to make sense.
Her turning point came during her time at Mill Run, working closely with leadership and immersed in the rhythm of the salon. That was where something clicked. The energy, the connection with guests, the way the team supported each other. It shifted from a job to something she genuinely cared about.
Ask anyone what Amber is known for, and you’ll hear the same things. She makes people feel seen. She remembers names, conversations, and details that matter. She supports her service providers, especially when situations get difficult, and she steps into those moments with confidence and care.
There is also a level of pride in how she carries herself and her environment. Clean, organized, intentional. The kind of person who is always moving, always improving, always paying attention. It’s not forced, it’s who she is.
Somewhere along the way, she earned the respect of the team around her, including some of the most seasoned professionals in the building. That doesn’t happen by accident.
Lucy Sutton: Momentum, Trust, and Execution
Lucy’s path shows what consistency and focus can build over time.
Starting as a receptionist at Mill Run, she moved steadily through team lead, senior team lead, assistant manager, and now Manager. Each step building on the last, each role adding a layer of confidence and capability.
What stands out most is how quickly she earned trust.
She is known for getting things done, and getting them done right. Organized, detail-focused, always thinking ahead. Lists, notes, structure. The kind of person who brings clarity into a busy day.
But beyond that, she has become someone her peers rely on. Someone they can talk to. Someone who can step into a situation, handle it professionally, and move things forward without creating friction.
For someone who admits she never imagined herself in this position when she first started, she has grown into it with a quiet confidence that speaks volumes.
What Their Stories Represent
Careers like this don’t happen by accident.
They often begin in our Guest Services role, the position many still think of as “reception,” but one that plays a much larger part in the experience we create every day. It’s where relationships are built, standards are upheld, and the rhythm of the salon is set.
For many of our leaders, including Amber and Lucy, it’s where they first found their footing.
And importantly, it’s where we look first when developing future leadership.
More Than a Role, A Path to Leadership
Our Manager in Training program is designed for individuals who want more than a position. It’s for those who want to learn how to lead.
This program is most often offered internally, giving our Guest Services team the first opportunity to step into leadership. It’s a natural progression for those who have already demonstrated care for the guest experience, attention to detail, and a commitment to the team around them.
From there, Managers in Training are immersed in the full operation of the salon. Supporting service providers, guiding guest experiences, learning how to navigate real-time challenges, and understanding what it takes to run a high-performing location.
It’s a role that blends people skills with business awareness. Coaching teams, solving problems, managing details, and maintaining the standards that define the experience our guests expect.
And importantly, it’s not done alone.
As an employee-owned company, development here is intentional. Mentorship is part of the culture, and growth is something that is actively supported, not left to chance.
There is a reason this path continues to produce strong leaders within the company.
In fact, our own President began her career in this very position. That perspective continues to shape how we develop this role today, with a focus on building both confidence and capability over time.
If This Feels Familiar
Some people read stories like Amber’s and Lucy’s and see something recognizable.
A starting point that can turn into something more. A role where effort translates into opportunity. A place where you can build confidence, develop leadership skills, and grow into something bigger than where you started.
If that sounds like you, our Guest Services team may be the place to begin.
You can learn more and apply through our Careers page at www.kenneths.com, or reach out to our team directly to start a conversation.