Why We Built an
Independent Salon

I've been doing hair in Delaware, Ohio since 2010. After years in traditional salon environments, I wanted something different — not just for myself, but for the clients who trusted me with their hair. Patina Salon is that something different. Here's what we built, why, and what it means for you.

The Traditional Model and Its Limits

Most salons run on a commission or booth-rent model where stylists either split their earnings with the house or pay a flat rate to use the space. That structure creates pressure: pressure to move fast, to upsell, to fill as many chairs as possible in a day.

It also means that when you book an appointment, you're booking with "the salon" — not necessarily with a specific stylist who knows your hair history, your texture, your lifestyle, and what you've tried before. Turnover at traditional salons is high. Relationships get interrupted.

What the Independent Model Looks Like at Patina

At Patina Salon, each of the five artists — Kayla, AnneMarie, Meredith, Linde, and Lisa — operates independently. We share a beautifully designed space at 27 West Central Ave in downtown Delaware, Ohio, but we each run our own books, set our own schedules, price our own services, and build our own client relationships.

What that means for you:

• You book directly with a specific artist — your appointment belongs to them, not to a front desk.
• Your stylist controls their own schedule and isn't being pushed to rush.
• The artist you see today is the same one who will remember your last appointment, your texture, your preferences, and your goals next time.
• No quotas. No commission splits. The focus is entirely on doing good work.

Why Downtown Delaware?

Delaware, Ohio doesn't have a lot of options for high-quality, independent hair care in a thoughtfully designed space. We saw a gap — clients who were driving to Columbus or looking for something that felt more intentional than what was available locally.

The space at 27 West Central Ave was a deliberate choice. The building has history. The downtown area has energy. And frankly, the people of Delaware deserve a salon that treats them like they would be treated anywhere else in the state.

Beauty That Deepens with Time

The name Patina comes from the idea that beauty develops and deepens over time — like the finish on worn leather or aged brass. That's true of the craft of hair, and it's true of the relationship between a stylist and their client. It takes appointments, conversations, and a growing understanding of your hair before things get really good.

We built Patina to be a place where that kind of long-term relationship can happen. Five independent artists, one curated space, downtown Delaware, Ohio. Come see what we mean.