We had the good fortune of connecting with Drew DeLaney and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Drew, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
What surprises people most is when I say this: “Psychologists and therapists don’t even touch you.”
As a hairstylist—really, as a master stylist, colorist, and beauty professional—the one thing I think most people don’t realize is how deeply intimate and energetically powerful our work truly is. There’s a connection that happens between two people during a service that goes far beyond hair. I call it “Hairapy.”
In my chair, I’ve been a safe space for my guests, and, just as often, they’ve been one for me. There’s a mutual exchange of energy, trust, and light. I truly believe we brighten others by showing up with love and presence—and by doing so, we also receive light ourselves. Every person who sits with me adds to a ripple effect of positivity that I hope reaches far beyond the salon.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
From the age of 14 in Southern California, where I started as a receptionist at a high-end salon, I learned the craft from the ground up. One quality that has shaped my journey is my attention to detail—I have a knack for noticing each guest’s unique hair, almost like taking a mental snapshot before and after every service. Navigating the fast-paced environment of a 17-chair salon was both challenging and rewarding, laying a strong foundation for my career.
Owning a salon was my dream from early on, and I achieved it at 22. After achieving my goal of becoming a Creative Director of Color for Vidal Sassoon, I embraced salon ownership fully. My path took me from working in a collaborative, large-scale salon to a cozy salon loft, gradually expanding my space and experience. Eventually, I helped create and open Velvet Salon, a freestanding space in a historic train warehouse. Launched in 2011, the salon thrived through its six-year lease and proved to be an intense journey—equal parts challenge and magic—that taught me lasting lessons about resilience and creativity.
Owning a salon is a bit like owning a boat: the thrill of the beginning is unforgettable, but there’s also relief and wisdom in moving on. I was fortunate to step away just before COVID hit. I returned to Salon Lofts in Sandy Springs and poured myself into my work, but the long days—over 12 hours, six days a week—eventually led to burnout. A divorce followed, which, though difficult, became a turning point for renewal and growth.
Presently, I’m grateful to start fresh at Sóren Salon. This chapter is about honoring the traditions and people who shaped me, while also embracing education as a way to keep the best of the past alive. I’ve found a new appreciation for balance and deeply value the chance to give back.
I believe everyone has a breaking point, like a pot of water at full boil; reaching mine opened the door to a deeper, more authentic connection with my craft—physically and spiritually. I feel I am finally expressing my craft in a way that truly feels right.
Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of self-awareness and recognizing where I need support—a humbling but necessary lesson that has challenged my ego over the years.
Career milestones, like being featured in Allure magazine in 2013 are proud moments. Still, the greatest fulfillment comes from the journey itself, the guests that made it possible and the community built along the way. With gratitude for Sören Salon, recognized among the top 100 in the nation, I couldn’t be proper proud to call Sören Salon my current Salon Home. I look ahead with gratitude and excitement—the shimmer is just beginning.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend visiting Atlanta, I’d want to make sure they got a real feel for the city’s energy, local flavor, art and history.
I’d definitely start downtown—riding the Ferris wheel for the city views, then popping into the World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium, which are Atlanta staples.
I’d also take them to walk or bike along the BeltLine, stopping for food at some of the incredible markets and local spots along the way. There’s nothing like sampling the city’s diverse restaurants and people-watching as we explore the parks and art-laden trails.
Over the rest of the week, I’d want to share a bit of everything: relaxing in Piedmont Park, soaking in culture at the High Museum of Art, and spending time in some of Atlanta’s many vibrant city’s for great window shopping, food, and local community.
Atlanta’s got such a cool mix of outdoor spaces, history, and nightlife—I’d do my best to make sure we experienced as much of it as possible, from botanical gardens to live music to catching the sunset at a local brewery.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
From the very beginning, my shoutout goes to my grandmother, Ginger K DeLaney. She’s been doing hair out of her home in Denver, Colorado since my father was six years old—he’s now 67! Her passion is unwavering; she always says she’ll retire when her clients do, and with that will go the old-school art of setting hair. People today often have no idea how the industry looked half a century ago—back then, people would go an entire week on a single roller set (complete with perms and color), and my grandmother was an absolute queen at it.
Some of my earliest memories are of handing her rollers when I was just three years old, watching as she dipped her fingers into that crystal container full of blue gel. This art has been part of me ever since. By age 13, I was taking hair more seriously. And at 14, my parents bought a Craigslist peach porcelain shampoo bowl and a blue 70s pump-up chair for the garage—mainly because I’d taken over the kitchen doing my sister’s friends’ hair for $40 a head, and soon even the moms were asking for highlights after seeing the results!
When I went to Pepperdine University in Malibu to study studio art, I quickly became known for doing hair on campus. If I hadn’t gone to Pepperdine, I wouldn’t have found my way to the Vidal Sassoon Advanced Academy for Cosmetology in Santa Monica. There, I learned the polar opposite approach to hair than my grandmother’s: the Sassoon way was all about cutting-edge precision—wash-and-wear styles, where you cut the style rather than styling the cut. That experience—and working as Creative Director of Color for Vidal Sassoon in Atlanta starting in 2008—completely transformed my vision and skillset.
Though I could go on for days about the endless support I’ve received from friends and family, my biggest cheerleaders have always been my parents, who encouraged my passion for hair from a very young age and made it possible for me to pursue my dreams. While it’s hard to name just one influence, I have to acknowledge not only my parents, but also my sister, my chosen sister Lindsey Simunec and my entire family, Sören Salon and all of my loyal clients—many of whom have truly become my extended family. Learning to treat people like family goes all the way back to my grandmother’s salon, right in the heart of her home.
If I had to choose just one, my greatest shoutout would go to my grandmother, who nurtured my love for hair from the very beginning and shaped the value I place on community. She gets credit for both my career and my approach to family. A close second is the education and mentorship I received at Sassoon, which fundamentally shaped my artistry. Without these two influences, I wouldn’t be where I am today, nor would I have had the confidence or skill to open my own salon or build my career. They both deserve endless recognition and credit in my story.
Website: https://Www.BEINGbyDrewCarlinDeLaney.com
Instagram: @HAIRbyDrewDeLaney
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JKgRpxwCU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BEINGbyDrewCarlinDeLaney
Other: So my new instagram hair page/handle is what I’m trying to use for attracting hairdressers and my personal instagram
@BEINGbyDrewCarlinDeLaney
is attracting clients.
Hair Home for Senior Stylist Profile:
www.SorenSalon.com
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
