Meet Katie Rodriguez (she/her), Salon Owner, hair and makeup artist at The Alchemists Salon + Apothecary. Katie has been doing hair for 13 years, and loves her passion, with a passion. “I’m one of those lucky people who loves their job and what they do. I’ve always considered myself an artist so to not be making my art has been really hard. I love that I get to be creative.” When speaking about her clients and craft, she truly loves making people simply feel beautiful.
Four weeks before Governor Cuomo put NY State on Pause and shut the doors of most small businesses, Katie’s doors only opened. “I signed the lease in October to open a salon. I spent my entire savings to renovate the space and create my dream. I opened my doors February 17th, 2020 then closed them March 17th, 2020.” The ‘American’ dream was hers - the ideal opportunity she had worked for with high hopes had been achieved…yet stunted within the first month. “A major struggle for me is not doing what I love” she tells us. “I’m also feeling a financial struggle. Although I have applied, I have received no benefits of any kind for 6 weeks. I often can’t believe I live in a county that shuts down my 4 week old business and takes this long to provide financial assistance.”
Her angst and emotion is not uncommon amongst those unemployed in New York State. Economic devastation has spread like wildfire, and numbers have skyrocketed. Across the country, unemployment statistics via a Labor Department announcement show more than 16 million people have been put out of work during this pandemic - that alone is barely half that total from the last recession - and I’m sure from the time I’m writing this to posting those numbers have shifted.
Hair salons and barber shops are only amongst the many businesses abruptly shut down due to COVID-19 and the unique way it could spread. Social Distancing was not enough to “cut” it (no pun intended) while the virus is continuing to climb in mortality numbers not only in New York State but across the country. “ I can hardly grasp that fact I was open for 4 weeks. I honestly can’t fathom the last 6 weeks of my life.” Katie tells us this with passion and surprise, but the most important aspect of her tone is passion. “I will make it through this and so will my little salon thanks to people who believe in me and support my dream. My salon doors will open again.” Walking into the beautiful salon space you will see modern flair from the sphere glass lights along the wall and ceiling, gorgeous leather client seating (with matching hair wash station seats) to a custom made front desk. There is so much of Katie in each square footing of the salon. My personal favorite was the flamingo bathroom pictured above, and yes it’s that bright. This quaint little downtown salon has huge personality and Katie is not done doing finishing touches yet.
Katie has had personal struggles with the Coronavirus as well as professional. “The pandemic has taught me my health is so incredibly important. I was extremely sick for two weeks with Coronavirus. It was the worst thing I have ever been through including a trip to the hospital. I am so thankful for my husband who took such good care of me. This pandemic also taught me the value of having family and friends in your life that are there to support you and help you through such trying times.” Her husbands account of the ramifications of Katie’s decline in health while fighting her bought of COVID-19 brings a reality to the virus we don’t typically hear.“I won’t forget staying up till my eyes couldn’t stay open any more making sure she was breathing. I could hear her lungs crackle every time she took a breath but since we were told at the hospital to just wait it out there was nothing we could do.” Lucas, Katie’s husband, tells us this. Katie was one of the first waves of the virus in Albany county.
On the other side and clear of the virus, Katie is working through her struggle of “idle time” while finding new hobbies and passions. “I need to create so I started making polymer clay earrings to stay positive. I have made about 50 pairs. Crafting/ creating art has always made me feel better when I’m down.”
Bringing the theme of human connection and support to this, it’s important to champion the passions of others now and far beyond the Pause. Our world will never be the same, and I’m genuinely starting to believe that’s not a bad thing. We need more gratitude in the world. We needed to have our eyes open to the things we were taking for granted.
As far as Katie goes, you’ll find her for now at her homestead in a “weird messy bun” but she is optimistic and excited to open her doors soon.
If you’d like to support Katie with her jewelry she’s creating during this time, and to get on the appointment list when the salon opens, please follow her on instagram at @thealchemists.salon, or stop in when it’s safe at 330 Madison Avenue, Albany NY…. In the words of Katie, “let’s make some magic.”
// Please note all quoted statements above are those of Mrs. Rodriguez and not reflective Faiella Studios. Data per the DOL announcement referenced is available at: https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf