The Muse Family
The Muse Team is a collective group that believes in good hair, believable hair and lived in healthy hair. We are here for you. We are here to make new connections, have positive vibes and create a laid back environment in a luxury setting for you. We are highly educated, participating in monthly trainings and will work together to give you the hair of your dreams.
Kelsey Jahnke
Owner, Extensionist, Mentor
Hello my future muse, my name is Kelsey aka @salonmusebykels.
I am a mother, vision creator, growth seeker, entrepreneur and hair stylist. Lets talk about hair first since thats what brought you here. My hair journey began when I was in high school but professionally 12 years ago. I believe in lived in hair, dimensional hair and luxurious hair. I specialize in Extensions and the way they can transform my clients confidence. In 2022 I began teaching the method I do to other stylists. I am an education junkie and love to share my knowledge with our stylists There is nothing better than transforming someones life with the feeling of hair or helping a stylist grow. It truly is a gift.
Salon Muse is my second home. I have always visioned a salon out of the “norm”. A laid back yet luxury experience where everyone is welcome. A place where clients can feel comfortable seeing anyone and know they are in good hands.
Beyond the world of hair I have two children, Frankie and June. They are the drive behind Salon Muse and they are my “why”. Frankie is a highly energetic happy go lucky 7 year old and June Bug is my sweetly dramatic 3 year old.
If you are laid back, you love good hair, investing in yourself, plant talk, coffee, free people vibes we will get along great and I look forward to seeing you in my chair!
salonmusebykels
Emily Soufane
Lead Stylist + Extensionist
Surprisingly I never dreamt I would become a hairstylist. All through school I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. It wasn’t until I entered the hair program (as a back up plan) that I realized I had found the career I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I was lucky enough to have met Kelsey in my later months of hair school.. She offered me a job after I assisted her on a couple of weddings and from there my career took off!
Why did I fall in love with my job?
My favourite thing about going to work is getting to connect with new people every single day. I am so lucky to have so many personal connections with clients I can now call friends. As you can tell I am a bit of a social butterfly! I also love having a job that is always growing and changing. With trends coming and going, it always keeps my job interesting and challenging (in a good way). The best part is having a job that really doesn’t feel like a job and making money while doing something you love!
What do I do in my personal time?
I live with my boyfriend Silas! We have been together since high school, a total of 4.5 years. On our days off I like to cook / meal prep for myself and some of the girls at the shop.. I make a Mean chilli
I am also very artistic! I played piano for 11 years. I’m a little rusty now but still kill it on the keys! While I was in high school I took art class every semester, that was all I looked forward to as I was not what you would call “book smart”.
Other than that you can normally catch me online shopping (a little too much) or scoping the gram!
salonmusebyem
Alexa Mitchell
Lead Stylist + Extensionist
Hey Muse babes,
First impressions are important, so let me tell you a little bit about myself. I thrive off of high energy environments. I made the decision to graduate from high school a year early and begin the hair program at VIU. As soon as I got my hands on blondes, I became obsessed. Hair became the dream.
In June 2019, I began my career as a hair stylist at Salon Muse. I started apprenticing under Emily, aspiring to become a hair wiz. Working long days side by side Emily I took full advantage of her teaching, asking many questions and following along closely. I especially love dimensional blondes with bold face framing.
If you’ve been in my chair, you’ll know I love to laugh. I’m a very happy and enthusiastic person who loves to chit chat, tell me something as simple as what you had for breakfast and ill be happy to hear. Some things you may not know about me are: I have tri citizenship, I was born in Canada but my parents are from Mexico and England. I’m lowkey OCD and need everything to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and I have a keen intuition.
I look forward to seeing all my pretty clients back in my chair and can’t wait to see all the new gorgeous faces who are going to support me in my career.
salonmusebyalexa
REBECCA HARDER
Lead Stylist
Hey, Im Becca!
I am born and raised here in Nanaimo. I have a large family that I spend a lot of my time with and on my days off you can find me adventuring outdoors exploring all the beauty Vancouver Island has to offer.
In the summer time when I’m not behind the chair you can find me at Sproat Lake or on the sandy beaches of Tofino. I have an American Mastiff who takes up my entire back seat and if you find yourself in my chair Im sure you will hear about him.
My career with hair began a few years ago. I graduated from Vancouver Island University and immediately began working at an Aveda Salon furthering my skill set in colouring, cutting and product knowledge. In 2020 I joined the muse team as I wanted to focus on my passion which is colour. I love lived in effortless hair and bright blondes. I pride myself in giving my clients the best knowledge for what will compliment you, your lifestyle and your hair.
Hope to see you in my chair!
salonmusebybecca
MCKENZIE JOHNSON
Lead Stylist + Extensionist
Hello beautiful! My name is Mckenzie, kenz for short. I graduated from Vancouver Island University and Hair styling is in my blood, I’m a third generation hair stylist in my family and grew up in the salon. It drove my passion to make women feel beautiful and transformed at a very young age.
Being a hair stylist allows me to be creative and continue to learn new things, the hair world is constantly changing we’re never done learning.
Growing up as an only child here on Vancouver island I have become very attached to the ocean and like to get down to the beach as much as I can, although I do prefer the tropical beaches in Maui I feel extremely lucky to live somewhere where the ocean is right in my backyard.
I’ve been told I’m easy to talk to and have a very relaxed personality so if you love effortless lived in colour, friends, dogs and homesense I think we will get along just fine. I can’t wait to meet you!
salonmusebykenz
Brandi Sollied
Lead Stylist + Extensionist
Hi! I’m Brandi!
I’m new to Nanaimo! I’m originally from Abbotsford but lived in Vancouver since I was 18. I first moved to the island two years ago to Courtenay to slow down my life and have a breather from the chaos of a city. Unfortunately I didn’t feel the spark in courtenay and I was itching for something bigger but still low key. Well here I am Nanaimo and I think I love it!!
I’ve been a stylist for almost 10 years. I graduated from a Hair and Makeup Artistry program in 2013. I was lucky enough to earn an international license! I dreamed of being a stylist since I was a young girl. I’m in my happy place when I’m foiling and creating the image that I have in my mind.
Most people who know me know me as very energetic and bubbly person but become surprised when they sit In my chair as I become pretty quiet and tranquil. I put all my energy into creating hair which makes me focus and not as chatty! I do believe you should feel comfortable and relaxed while getting your hair done.
If I’m not behind the chair you can find me playing with my animals(yes, I have a zoo pretty much), cooking all kinds of foods, and being behind the lens. I have had a passion for photography since I took film classes when I was 13. Thankfully I can put two of my passions together and do what I love!
Well there’s a lil about me! But lastly I would love to know more about YOU! I can’t wait to have you in my chair and we can create masterpieces together! Xoxo
salonmusebybrandi
Madison Wise
Stylist + Coordinator of Muse Cowichan
Hey guys, I’m Mads!
I’m born and raised here in Lake Cowichan and began my hair journey in high school and have been loving it ever since.
I believe in providing my guest with a laid back+ luxurious vibe where they can feel comfortable when getting their service done! Lived in beautifully blended hair, bright blondes and a customized haircut to suit your style is my thing!
When I’m not at the Salon, I’m with my friends, family, and of course my dogs. My favourite things to do are exploring the back roads in my Jeep, boating, camping and adventuring our beautiful Island and what it has to offer!
If you know me you know, I am laid back and go with the flow and a little bit OCD some would say haha
And for those that don’t know me, I am so excited to meet you and have you in my chair to make your hair dreams come true!
See ya soon!
salonmusebymads
Hannah Nelson
Stylist
salonmusebyhan
Emma Lofeudo
Associate Stylist
Hi, I’m Emma! I began with the girls at Muse in the summer of 2022 when I insisted on shadowing Emily every friday. Fast forward to 2023 and I am now finishing hair school. You will find me assisting and learning from Kels during the week and growing my clientele behind the chair on the weekends. So far I am finding my groove on what I really love to do but dimensional blonding and chocolate brunettes currently have my heart.
Megan Mclennan
Front End Manager- ON MATERNITY LEAVE
Hello, lovely! I’m Meg (the second Meg to join the Salon Muse team). I’m a born and bred Nanaimo, BC girl who is a single Mama to two of the most incredible little boys, ages 9 and 6. I met the Salon Muse powerhouse, Kelsey, back in 2015, when I had just moved back to Nanaimo from Calgary with a brand new business and nowhere to operate from. Kels was lovely enough to allow me to start taking my very first clients from a room in her first salon, Shear Inspirations, until I got myself settled into my own location. Fast forward 3 years (2018) and I was quick to jump on the opportunity to work within her business again when she opened Salon Muse. In addition to working as Kelsey’s Salon Co Ordinator, I am also the sole owner of Glow Coast, previously OrganicTan Nanaimo, which I run next door to Salon Muse at West Beauty Collective.
When I’m not at work, I’m either at the gym or somewhere FAR away from cell reception. Weekends are usually spent around a bonfire, and riding dirt bikes with my kids. My need for adventure and seeing new places all over the island is STRONG and I am always looking to learn a new skill or challenge my fears. I love being outside (but you won’t find me anywhere cold) and I have a bad habit of buying old vehicles. I currently spend too much money on my 99 4Runner (which takes me up into the mountains), my 1965 Chrysler Newport and my race truck, which I (and my boys) race at the Off-road race track in Port Alberni. I also love photography and am a thrift store junkie! I often joke with my regular clients that I feel like I’m living a double life, Salon life during the week, and dirt and grease on my free time. That’s what makes me happy! (And keeping you babes bronzed and beautiful, of course!) If you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place, you’re in GREAT hands here at Salon Muse
Stay Golden, beauties!
glowcoastnanaimo
Ruby Kotze
Coordinator + Social Media Manager
Hey, I’m Ruby! I am one of our front end coordinators and I run our social media accounts. Chances are if you send us a DM on Instagram, you’re talking to me. I love design, fashion and my guilty pleasure is cookies (I can’t go a day without)!
ruby.kotze