Prior to 2020, our Employee of the Year Awards, rightfully called our Elle’s Angel Awards, were presented each year to one hairstylist at each location. The Elle’s Angel Award went to those who have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional service to both their guests and teammates, who have been proactive in supporting the salon’s goals of continued growth for both themselves and the salon, and who truly exemplify what it means to be a part of the Elle Marie Hair Studio team. The top 3 stylists were nominated by the individual management teams and the executive team made the final decision. The final winner was always announced during the awards ceremony at the company Christmas party.
This year, we decided it was time for a change. All 4 salon teams were given the opportunity to give out TWO awards instead of one – the big Elle’s Angel Award AND with the addition of so many new team members, the all-new Cherub Award, reserved specifically for employees who are within their first two years of service at Elle Marie. Additionally, right along with the hairstyling team, all employees were eligible to win. We wanted to honor ALL positions within the company, including the Styling Team, Support Staff, and Leadership team. Additionally and for the first time ever, the winners were voted upon by their peers as the entire company got to participate by casting a vote for who they believed should earn the title along with the opportunity to write a little something on their behalf (see below).
As mentioned above, these people have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional service to both their guests and teammates. They have been proactive in supporting the salon’s goals of continued growth for both themselves and the salon, and truly exemplify what it means to be a part of the Elle Marie Hair Studio team.
They are Smart, meaning they are Emotionally Intelligent and always treat fellow teammates with respect, know how to read a situation and react properly, are sensitive to others, and know when and how to say the right things.
They are Humble and will deflect praise onto their teammates on a regular basis. They have a natural desire to recognize others and can make an immense impact on both team engagement and morale.
Last but not least they are Hungry. They are always looking for more. More things to do. More to learn. More responsibility to take on. They are self-motivated and diligent.
And the Employee of the Year Awards goes to….. (drumroll please…)
ELLE’S ANGEL AWARD WINNERS
angel[ eyn-juhl ]a person having qualities generally attributed to an angel, such as beauty, purity, or kindliness.
BROOKE
Stylist, Manager, Coach, and Educator, Woodinville
Coincidently, there was a tie for this award for the Woodinville location.
Aside from the fact that there was a tie, the ownership team felt very strongly that Brooke deserved the Elle’s Angel of the Year award from a COMPANY WIDE perspective, an accolade we have not recognized prior to the pandemic. As a salon manager who held on tight to her team and community during the trying times of the past couple of years, Brooke has led the Woodinville team, primarily on her own, to tremendous heights. We all know how trying these times have been and without Brooke’s tenacious ability to hang in there with ease, our company would not be where it is today. Brooke, you are a true godsend, the Elle’s Angel of all Elle’s Angels. We honor you!
“Brooke has gone above and beyond to help me and everyone in the salon in the crazy management transition!”
“She has been a guiding light for us through pandemic and having to do most everything herself.”
ELIZABETH
Stylist and Coach, Woodinville
“Liz is an inspiration in positivity and helpfulness. She is a powerful and deserving woman.”
“Elizabeth has done an exceptional job this year in stepping into a leadership role, learning and upholding our company Mantra and Culture. She is quick to help with projects around the salon, and has naturally and organically been accepted by the team!”
GENE-MARIE
Stylist, Inventory Manager, and Coach, Alderwood
“Gene-Marie: this woman has shown on more than one occasion that she embodies Elle Marie. Not only has she excelled in being an incredible manager but she is also an incredibly kind friend. She’s witty and fast on her feet and absolutely deserves to be recognized for all she has done.”
“Gene-Marie has had a lot of change and some hard times since I’ve known her, but she has stayed so positive and makes sure to share the positivity with everyone, it rubs off on our team. She channels all of her positivity and support into making sure our salon is a healthy, organized, and comfortable environment for everyone. Gene Marie gives so much, and she deserves it back.”
MACKENZIE
Stylist, Snohomish
“Mackenzie always steps up when needed and always has a positive attitude!! She is wonderful!!”
“Mackenzie is always going above and beyond to help others, boost their confidence and overall just generates so much positivity and support. She is consistently putting others’ needs above her own.”
“Mackenzie is always willing to help out. Whether it’s blow-drying, helping with the front desk, or cleaning. She is always there when you need a hand. She is so good with her guests. She is very professional.”
MANDY
Stylist and Inventory Manager, Mill Creek
“Mandy was always such a bright light when I would work alongside her. She was always bubbly and smiling, but she’s also such a hard worker and did everything she needed to. Working as an associate AND GSA as often as she did, I never once saw her slack, she was on top of everything and was just so great to be around.”
“She is constantly checking in with stylists to see what they need from her and how they’re doing and how she can help. She is amazing with listening to stylists about what they’re struggling with and needing improvement on and how she can help them. I know for me, she’s been my biggest help coming to mill creek. She cares for not only the stylists but also our guests and realizes that their opinion and experience at our salon are important as the stylists. Being able to have an impartial view and still recognizing where we could use improvement on, regardless of if we think it’s accurate or not, is critical to providing a great experience for clients and a great work environment for the stylists”
“Mandy has excelled not only in her talents but in her position so fast! I admire her work ethic and hunger to grow. I really truly believe she deserves this. She’s a hard worker and shows to genuinely care about those she works with and on.”
“Mandy goes above and beyond every single day she comes into work, and is the most supportive teammate out there! I know she always has our backs :)”
CHERUB AWARD WINNERS
cherub[ cher–uhb ]an angel of the second order, beautiful, innocent, winged.
BROADY
Stylist and Inventory Manager, Woodinville
“Broady never ceases to amaze me. He is so talented and such a hard worker. He has been a great addition to our Woodinville family.”
“Broady is someone who LOVES our industry! He wants to explore every facet that it has to offer. He is always looking inward to grow and develop himself but keeping in mind that he wants to those around him. He is incredibly passionate!”
CHRISSY
Support Staff Manager, Mill Creek
“Chrissy is my favorite and super supportive and always has my back. She never doubts my skill or what I have to offer despite having more experience than me and it is so nice working with someone who has my back so much.”
“She is constantly checking in with stylists to see what they need from her and how they’re doing and how she can help. She is amazing with listening to stylists about what they’re struggling with and needing improvement on and how she can help them. I know for me, she’s been my biggest help coming to mill creek. She cares for not only the stylists but also our guests and realizes that their opinion and experience at our salon are as important as the stylists. Being able to have an impartial view and still recognizing where we could use improvement on, regardless of if we think it’s accurate or not, is critical to providing a great experience for clients and a great work environment for the stylists”
“She has gone after what she wanted and earned her place rightfully so. Despite the quick turnover, she has been handling things like the boss lady she is!”
“Chrissy- she’s gone above and beyond to always make Mill Creek better than it was yesterday. She is reliable and truly works hard. She is always looking gorgeous and put together every single day to be the first face everyone sees as they walk through the doors. She’s always helping stylists accomplish goals in any way possible. She’s truly AMAZING!!”
Chrissy is constantly coming up with new and exciting ways to motivate our team to be better stylists and become more of a family.
KATEE
Support Staff Manager, Alderwood
“Katee: Our beacon of hope. Our guiding light. Katee saved us. Plain and simple. Front desk at Alderwood was floundering and Katee came in and whipped the dang thing into shape. She takes no prisoners and that’s exactly what we needed for our front desk lead. She genuinely cares about people and us and makes sure we are taken care of. I love the energy she brings whenever she comes into a room! She instantly became family and we never want to let her go!”
“This wonderful person makes work so enjoyable and so manageable with her positive attitudes and just who she is everyday so funny and encouraging”
“Katee is always the first one to volunteer to help me with something. If I’m unsure of how to pull a certain report she will send me a video on how to find it or if I need calls sent to another location, she is always jumping in to help! She was super helpful in training me for Elle Marie and set me up for success in my new position.”
“She is always doing anything and everything she can to support our staff and working extra hours to help out when we are short-staffed. She is able to be reached at any time for anything and always gets back to us even on her day off. We would be SO lost without this amazing lady!!!!!!”
NADIA
Support Staff, Snohomish
“Nadia does such an amazing job at making the salon environment fun and relaxed. She is such an incredible worker that will offer help even if she’s swamped with other things she has going on. Just can’t gush enough about her!”
“Once again, can’t say enough about Nadia and how she just makes working fun. Takes stressful situations and makes it to where we can all be laughing in a matter of seconds. Always on the lookout for things she can help out with from sweeping stations, to do