We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eileen Kantor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Eileen, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I overcame imposter syndrome by consistently challenging myself to speak up and share my opinions—especially on camera through Instagram Stories. That regular practice helped me become more poised, articulate, and confident in expressing unique perspectives. Over time, it became easier to show up, trust my voice, and believe that what I have to say matters.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a hairstylist with 23 years of experience, the owner of Kantor & Company Salon for over 7 years, and the founder of our in-house hair academy for the past 4 years. What makes my work truly special is that Kantor & Company isn’t just a salon—it’s also a registered Apprenticeship training site. We provide professional services to clients while mentoring the next generation of stylists through real-time, hands-on education.
At Kantor & Company, we believe the best way to learn hairstyling is by being immersed in the salon alongside seasoned professionals. Our teaching model is very much Renaissance-inspired—I like to joke, “I’m Leonardo. Hold this brush until you learn how to paint.”
Right now, we’re celebrating an exciting milestone as our current apprentice is preparing to graduate, and we’re actively seeking our next teammate. One of the most rewarding aspects of the Apprenticeship program is that students earn wages for a portion of their education.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a licensed stylist through a real-world training experience, reach out to us at kantorandcompany@gmail.com. We’d love to connect.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities have had the most impact on my journey:
1) Being raised by entrepreneurs. My mother was a stylist and my father still runs his own handyman business. Growing up around small business owners gave me a natural understanding of independence, resourcefulness, and the value of hard work.
2) A deep commitment to continuing education. Some of the most transformative moments in my career came from advanced training—particularly in precision haircutting at Vidal Sassoon and the Wella Master Color Expert program. Staying curious and always learning has kept my passion alive and my skills sharp.
3) A dedication to being 1% better every day. This mindset, inspired by stoic philosophy, has grounded me in consistent growth—not just as a stylist and educator, but as a person. Small improvements add up to big change.
My best advice for someone early in their career? Find three people:
One who is a master in your field—someone to look up to and learn from.
One who’s at the same stage as you—to process experiences and face challenges together.
And one who’s newer than you—so you can mentor, share what you’ve learned, and build your own confidence as you grow.
That trio of relationships will support your learning, your leadership, and your longevity in the industry.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes—I’m actively looking to collaborate with other salons. As a licensed program through the Office of Apprenticeship and recognized by the Department of Labor here in Colorado, my academy is always seeking employer partners to host apprentices.
The beauty of becoming a mentor salon is that you get to train talent from the very beginning of their career, shaping them into the kind of stylist who aligns with your values, standards, and culture. Apprentices who grow within a supportive salon environment tend to develop deeper loyalty and are more likely to stay long-term.
Our program only requires apprentices to attend classes at Kantor & Company Academy for 8 hours per week, so even if you’re based in Northern Colorado (like Fort Collins) or South Denver, we can still be a great fit for collaboration.
If you’re a salon owner interested in growing your team through education and mentorship, I’d love to connect. You can reach me at kantorandcompany@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kantorandcompany.com
- Instagram: @kandcohairacademy & @kantorandcompany
- Facebook: @kantorandcompany
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
