Written By Romi Cortier

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Romi Cortier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Romi, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I grew up in a rural town in Washington State, and Saturday mornings began early with the sound of my dad’s chainsaw. Tree by tree we cleared our acreage, and it was my job to split the cut up logs into firewood with an ax. Another one of my chores was to mow the grass with a traditional lawn mower on our hillside parcel. And if it was raining, as it often does in the Pacific Northwest, then you had to suck it up and get it done. We didn’t have hired help, just friends and family. So when it came time to build my grandmothers house, we all pitched in. By the time I was 15, I was washing dishes and bussing tables at the local restaurant, while also painting homes on the side. That’s how you paid for your school clothes in those days, if you wanted something, you had to earn it. Within 3 weeks of graduating high school, I began cosmetology school, and continued waiting tables at night. My talent as a stylist was already showing during those early years, but advance training was essential once I moved into the big city. Clients by day, cutting classes by night. I never really stopped working long hours. Once a rhythm is established, it’s hard to stop. I’ve always loved nice things, and have been willing to work for them. I never wanted to depend on someone else to give me what I wanted. It’s nice to be able to take care of yourself, and those you care about.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I now have several decades under my belt as a hair colorist and cutter, with 2026 marking 25 years as a salon owner. In 2015 I went through a rebrand and developed a new logo, along with a trademarked phrase: Where Art Inspires Beauty. During the covid lockdowns I revamped the salon with my original fine art, along with branded merchandise such as coasters, mugs, notebooks and throw pillows. In 2023 I got involved in local politics and was elected as the Business Representative for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. I’m also the new President of the Larchmont Boulevard Association, and have created a Legacy Bench Program to help beautify our charming village neighborhood in the heart of LA. The metal benches are French blue with a striking plaque, bearing a beautiful inscription created by each bench donor. I’m currently working on publishing a book of my photography titled: Gates in the Hollywood Hills, with the help of my client Ann Suerto. It’s a journey that began nearly 30 years ago when I first came to LA, and I can’t wait to share it. Beauty, Art and Architecture go hand in hand. It elevates everyones experience and makes our world just a little bit better.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Vision. Persistence. Mentorship. Vision keeps me moving towards what I want. I frequently sketch ideas out and tape them to the wall: a garden design, my to do list, my annual New Years goal list… I need to see it in front of me to keep myself laser focused. Persistence means putting a little energy towards it every day, or once a week, or even once a month. Circling back around to make sure it’s moving in the right direction, making sure I don’t forget about it. Mentorship can be as simple as someone telling me how they got something done, the thing that worked for them. By sharing where I’m headed, or what obstacle I’m facing, clients and friends will often offer up solutions that I never would have thought of. It’s a great way of paying it forward. I may not have all the answers, but I know someone out there does. And, I love sharing what worked for me. I’ve been on this planet a long time now, and I know more than I realize. I’m always thrilled to pass it along.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My mothers sense of style has heavily influenced my life. She too was an artist who I watched paint at the dining room table late into the night. And she was always giving a room a makeover, thinking outside the box with modern elements like our 1970’s lemon slice dining table. Gardening played a huge role in her life as well. Flower beds with bark, rockery, fountains, and even gazebos. Her yard was her design playground, and it was always a work in progress. She also had the amazing gift of going ‘junking’ at garage sales, coming home with the best finds. Her $5 silver bucket from 30 years ago still sits and my salon’s front desk, with a beautiful orchid in it. Her baroque gilded chandelier from Leavenworth Washington, complete with iridescent crystals, now hangs in the changing room of the salon. Trends come and go, but quality design pieces can be reinterpreted and reused for a lifetime. And when it came to clothing and hair, she was always trying something new. Joan Collins was her style icon, but she wasn’t afraid to embrace the 80’s New Wave punkish hair do’s. Even when going through chemo, she ditched the wigs and opted for hats, scarves and and bold eye makeup. She was absolutely fearless and was always willing to embrace the new and untried.

Contact Info:


Image Credits
Kim Bajorek Photography

Romi Cortier
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