A word from the founder
“Our team is on the same page, education is a non-negotiable for us. Our team has been trained by the best in the world. Paul Mitchell as a company provides the platform to allow a career path and growth for our hairstylists. Our team, is a dedicated, forward-focused, positive, talented group of individuals that, together, create this synergy to provide the greatest experience when our guests are with us.”
– James Anthony Salerno, Founder
Platinum Stylists
Tina
Tina has passion and love for the beauty industry, through extensive education and dedication she has grown her career, in addition to adding a cosmetology teacher’s license, which she uses to grow the future of the industry by guiding and coaching the future professionals. Tina believes that when you love what you do, love who you do it with and love who you do it for, then success follows. “Education and giving back are what allows you to move forward, and in return I grow in my talents, and in life!” Tina is recognized in the industry as a leader who not only applies her positive attitude, but employs the imagination and creativity that keeps us on the cutting edge. She was written up in Chicago Magazine as “top 49 stylists in Chicago” as a long hair specialist.
Jenna
Jenna is one of our platinum stylists and has been with us for 17 years! While Jenna loves everything hair, she LOVES soft dimensional colors and transforming thick and curly hair! She is passionate about always expanding her knowledge and making sure your visits with her are fun and educational! “I love the bond I get to have with my clients just as much as I love transforming their hair.”
Jim
James Anthony Salerno is second generation in the beauty industry. Following his father’s legacy, Jim has owned and operated James Anthony Salon since 1991. Along with his wife Tina are co-founder/co-owners of Paul Mitchell The School-Chicago and Paul Mitchell The School-Lombard. Jim is known in the beauty industry for his passion and enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge and experience with the future professionals. Education has always been the backbone to the success of James Anthony Salon, and it’s key to growth and sustainability. James Anthony Salon has been the #1 Paul Mitchell Focus+ Salon in Illinois for the past 30 years. Jim has experienced many turns in the beauty industry and when asked what he attributes his successes to, he will tell you “when people come first, success will follow”.
Raz
We’ve had the pleasure of having Raz as a part of our team for 10 years now! Education is a very important part of the industry for Raz. It helps her continue to grow as a stylist and allows her to share her knowledge with her beautiful clients. Not only does Raz educate the guests in her chair but she is also a national educator for Paul Mitchell! She is certified in HairTalk extensions and our Cezanne Smoothing Treatment. While she loves everything hair, she specializes in blonding, hand painted colors, transforming natural hair and men’s cutting! “I’m always up for a challange, change or keeping it simple. I’m here for all your hair needs! I love what I do and who I do it with. YOLO!”
Master Stylists
Kat
Graduating from Paul Mitchell The School Lombard in 2016, Kat pursued her creativity and passion for the beauty industry by joining James Anthony Salon. Kat is one of our Master Stylists. She loves the relationships she gets to build with her guests every visit. She strives to ‘hit it out of the park’ during your consultation to ensure you receive what you have always wanted in your hair. Kat‘s expertise is working with skinnier hair textures, blonding techniques, and extensions. Through continuing education, continues to hone her skills and thrive in all areas of hair. She’s passionate about her work and strives to give the best experience.
Senior Stylists
Stylists
Karla
My name is Karla and I am a Stylist at James Anthony Salon. I’ve been in the hair industry since 2020 and a Professional Make Up Artist since 2017. I attended Paul Mitchell the School Lombard and I love to continue expanding my knowledge with continuing education in categories such as bridal, color and cutting! My passion is working with colors, whether creating an eyeshadow look or painting it onto hair… being able to use my creativity through color fascinates me! I love to be knowledgeable in as many things as possible which is why I also love working with extensions and long hair! Beauty as a whole has been a part of my life forever, I get it from my mom! I love to share it with all our salon clients!
Kathy
Kathy is a Stylist at James Anthony Salon. A graduate from Cannella School of Hair Design in 2022, her passion is utilizing techniques she honed through her extensive education and training, creating looks her guests are craving. Kathy’s passions are many, especially balayage, hi lights and hair cutting. Her love for the beauty industry started at a young age, with her dolls! Kathy looks forward to the opportunity to customize looks to give our guests the added confidence of feeling and looking their best!
Gabby
Gabby is very passionate about the hair industry and her career path. Her journey began at Paul Mitchell The School Lombard, followed by 6 years at salon where she honed her skills as a haircutter, ultimately bringing her to James Anthony Salon in 2020 where she now excels in both cut and color. With her passion for learning, through continuing education, Gabby keeps up with all trends within the beauty industry and fashion.Although Gabby is multi-talented, her specialties are hair extensions, curly/textured hair, Men’s grooming, Cezanne Smoothing Treatments, Special Occasion Styling and of course Women’s long hair. You will always receive a full experience with Gabby, as her name was properly given, she is enthusiastic, loves to chat and make you feel your best when you’re being serviced.
Claudia
Claudia is a Stylist at James Anthony Salon, a graduate of The Paul Mitchell School Normal. She has achieved the Stylist status and recognition by participating in James Anthony Salon’s Rising Star Training Program. Claudia worked hard and accomplished the program within a short period of time. Her passion and talents are very evident in her Balayage and various Hand Painting color techniques. She loves the opportunity of slowly taking guests to their ultimate color transformations! Claudia is always learning and being a student of her craft and enjoys sharing it with the team! She looks forward to meeting new guests and consulting with them on bringing out the best version of them by helping them look and feel good!
Emily
Emily is a Stylist at James Anthony Salon. Her passion is beauty. Emily began her cosmetology journey in 2021 at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. “I’m so happy to continue my journey at James Anthony Salon!” Emily loves hair coloring and Styling. Her strengths definitely shine when she creates beautiful volume with her blowouts. Her calm demeanor helps her be a great listener and achieve the goals the guests is wanting to reach. Thru her extensive training and education Emily is sure to deliver greatness!
Angelina
Angelina has been with James Anthony Salon since 2020. She attended and graduated Cosmetology School via her Highschool Vocational Program.Angelina achieved Stylist status shortly after completing the very extensive Rising Star training program. Her passions are everything beauty, especially loves color and balayage. Her knowledge and continuing education are helping her provide an exceptional experience for our guests. Angelina knew early on she wanted to be in the beauty industry and is also adding a Business Associates degree to help her further her career. Angelina is a natural behind the chair, she listens and understands what the guest wants and is not afraid to ask her teammates for support to gameplan and achieve the best outcome. Angelina is an enthusiastic hairstylist with a vibrant passion for life and a fair for beauty.
Nail Techs
Stella
Stella has been a nail tech at James Anthony Salon since 1994, and has gained the respect and loyalty of her guests by providing them with the ultimate “natural” manicure and pedicures. Stella is known in the community has the “nail doctor.” Stella’s background in working as a lab technician in a hospital in her hometown, Poland. There she specialized in bacteriology, serology, chemistry, and hematology. This kind of work, knowledge and experience, is what allows Stella to be aware and knowledgeable about the various diseases one can encounter, and is aware of the treatments that can be done. Stella continues to grow in her field by attending various trainings and certifications in the nail industry. Stella’s guests’ experience her love and passion for what she does and her belief in giving only the ultimate in customer service, by being a day maker!
Service Desk
Mara
Mara has played many roles over the years at James Anthony Salon. Thru Mara’s time at managing an office and being sales assistant at her previous job, coordinating meetings, taking care of customer services, and completing orders of sales, she has brought much to the table to James Anthony. Mara is a passionate, dedicated individual, she loves to exceed every guests’ expectation, and to support the career path of the team. She makes sure that the salon runs free of challenges and that all of our guests’ needs are met. Mara has a background in aesthetics as well, and has been around the beauty industry for many years, so she understands the importance of being efficient with scheduling and pampering our guests’ and creating an amazing experience.
Ariana
Ariana, a former Psychology student at NIU aims to be the best in whatever workplace she enters. With her large range of experience in customer service, Ariana is proud to be a friendly face that reflects the values of James Anthony Salon. Outside of being a Salon Coordinator, she loves to cook and listen to music. She is excited to be part of the James Anthony team and hopes her creative soul can be felt through every client interaction.
Teagan
My name is Teagan and I work as a salon coordinator while currently a junior in Highschool. I would like to use my communication and compassion skills to study business and entrepreneurial-ship in school. I am passionate about making connections and learning new things. I am so glad to be apart of a team that sets me up for a great future.
Kayla
Kayla is a customer service pro with over a decade of experience turning frowns upside down! With a knack for solving problems, a gift for clear communication, and a patience level rivaling a saint, Kayla knows how to keep customers happy and coming back for more. Whether it’s over the phone, email, or chat, they bring a friendly, can-do attitude to every interaction!
Rising Stars
Nash
Nash attended and graduated from Paul Mitchell The School Chicago. She is currently undergoing the Rising Star program to become a stylist at James Anthony Salon. Nash is the ultimate student! Always learning new techniques and expanding her knowledge and skillset. She helps Stylists stay on task by assisting with toners, colors, conditioning treatments and blowdry’s. Nash, gives one of the most relaxing Luscious Lather Experiences in the Lather Lounge. This is James Anthony Salon’s complimentary shampoo experience, 10 mins of pure bliss and relaxation.
Kelly
My name is Kelly, I graduated from College Of DuPage in 2023 with my degree in Associate in Applied Science, Cosmetology. Education is something that is very important to me, allowing me to try new techniques and giving me the confidence to recommend new looks or simply maintain a look. Currently undergoing The Rising Star program at James Anthony Salon, I am quickly learning and strengthening my skill set to earn a chair as a Stylist. At the moment I am enjoying meeting new and long time guests of James Anthony Salon, helping them have their best experience while with their Stylist and providing a relaxing Luscious Lather in our Lather Lounge.
Assistants
Our Assistants are the heart of the back of the house in our salon! They assist in helping create a magical experience for our guests! You can find them in our Lather Lounge, where they are “the experts” at the Luscious Lather, a 10min. Shampoo Experience that will help relax and pamper you!
Mariella
Mariella is one of our Legacy Assistants. She started her journey 12 years ago within the beauty industry at Jim and Tina’s Cosmetology Schools working the service desk at PMTSChicago and PMTSLombard. Mariella was then recruited to manage the service desk at SalonJAS, when the Salerno’s sold that business, they knew she belonged on the Assistants Team at James Anthony Salon, where she lulls guests to full relaxation with that special touch, when giving the Luscious Lather Experience. This is James Anthony Salon’s complimentary “shampoo experience” to all of the guests receiving a hair service. Mariella has a special gift, her heart and kindness shine through when pampering guests. Her goal is to have guests feeling like they have truly had a break from the daily grind.
Sydney
Junior in Highschool and currently attending Cosmotology school.
Ella
Junior in Highschool, tennis star and enjoys working with people!
Hilary
Bio coming soon!