Ash & Willow Eco Salon and Beauty Apothecary

604 Devon Avenue in Park Ridge
847-696-7560

AshWillowSalon.com

How it all started
Holly Santelli, a former interior design major, started off in the industry 32 years ago when she enrolled in cosmetology school in Michigan. It didn’t take long to realize it was a perfect fit.

After moving to Illinois with her husband, Holly chose to operate out of her house as a hair stylist when her kids were young. Once they entered high school, she opened her own suite at the Sola Salon Studios in Park Ridge. But bigger plans were in her future. Sooner than even she expected.

“I happened to be driving down Devon Avenue on a way home I don’t usually go, and I saw a rental sign,” Holly recalls. “I ended up sitting in my driveway for what seemed like forever, just thinking about the possibilities, and I just knew in my gut that it was the right thing to do.”

Holly fell in love with the space — especially the 100-year-old tin ceilings — as well as the charm of the South Park neighborhood. The zoning, permits and buildout took nearly a year, and Ash & Willow officially opened in August of 2017 with six employees. They doubled the size of the salon during Covid and now employ more than 40 people. Then last fall, expansion continued with additional locations in historic Long Grove and downtown Barrington.

We’re committed to giving back and being a strong part of the community. … I love to give our customers a chance to come in, relax, unwind and get themselves aligned. — Holly Santelli

A love of the environment and giving back
Ash & Willow was born from a love of nature and the Earth, and as a business philosophy, they have always made a concerted effort to celebrate art, creativity and people.

“We work hard to make an impact environmentally and be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible,” Holly says, “and we’re committed to giving back too, and being a strong part of the community. … I love to give our customers a chance to come in, relax, unwind and get themselves aligned.”

Holly has been involved with Avenues of Independence — a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities — for 13 years, and once a month Ash & Willow provides free haircuts as part of their training program. Holly and her daughter, Olivia, have also taken trips to Guatemala and Bali to teach young women how to cut hair for a living, and she has plans for additional excursions with her staff in the coming years.

Their patented luxury blow-dry experience is quite popular with their regular customers. It includes a scalp scrub, scalp massage, deep conditioning treatment, hand massage and a beautiful blowout.

Offerings
Ash & Willow is well known as a full-service hair salon — specializing in curling, textured hair and lived-in colors — but they also offer nail and lash services, facials and other skincare options.

Their patented luxury blow-dry experience is quite popular with their regular customers. It includes a scalp scrub, scalp massage, deep conditioning treatment, hand massage and a beautiful blowout.

Family feeling
Ash & Willow takes a holistic approach to their hiring process, as well as instituting regular trainings to groom the confidence and skill set of their stylists. But they don’t stop there. There’s also a continuing education program with an emphasis on mindfulness practices, classes with financial advisors, regular yoga, meditation, etc.

“Some really powerful friendships have formed here,” Holly says with a proud glance around the salon. “We believe in a very welcoming environment and living a well-balanced lifestyle.”

Don’t forget the boutique
Looking for the perfect gift for a loved one or a chance to pamper yourself? Ash & Willow has a small boutique by the front desk with jewelry, accessories, shampoos, body lotions, candles and more.

Ash & Willow has a continuing education program with an emphasis on mindfulness practices, classes with financial advisors, regular yoga, meditation, etc. “Some really powerful friendships have formed here,” Holly says.

Charities and special offerings
In addition to having a year-round drop box for the Good Food Pantry, Ash & Willow has partnered with Inner Voice Chicago to collect new clothes and toys for families in need. And keep an eye on social media for various sales and deals on products and services throughout the year.