Meet the Curl Boutique Team
One thing that makes the Curl Boutique so unique is that we’re a team-based salon - and proud of it! As a small, specialty, boutique salon, each of our team members is trained to cut, color, and style your curls. In fact, you will most likely interact with and be serviced by each member of our team during your appointment. We also encourage clients to book with any stylist when scheduling appointments. This structure demonstrates and cultivates our supportive and collaborative culture.
Our team members support each other relentlessly through their actions, decisions, and words because we are all working towards the same goal: providing you with the very best in curly hair services, every time.
Debbi
Burns
Founder, Owner, and Lead Curl Specialist
Sammy
Krupski
Apprentince
Brooklyn
Moran
Curl Specialist / Team Educator
Daija
Lindsay
Curl Specialist
Melany
Levesque
Operations
Maddy
Love
Apprentice
Adam
Miller
Human Resources
Barbara
Pierce
Strategies Coach
Debbi Burns
Debbi has a deep passion for curly hair. Like many curlies, Debbi spent years fighting her own naturally curly hair by trying to tame frizz and flyaways using hot tools. Even after becoming a hairstylist at age 20, she struggled to understand how to work with curls in their natural state. This all changed when she was introduced to the Curly Girl Method taught by Lorraine Massey. Since that fateful day, Debbi has dedicated her life to curls. In 2008, she said goodbye forever to blow-friers and straight irons after becoming a certified Deva Inspired educator and a member of Curly Hair Artistry.
Today she continually pursues further education in the methods, techniques, and philosophies of cutting, coloring and styling curly hair. Debbi is dedicated to respecting hair in its natural state and passionate about contributing to the vibrant and unique world of curl artistry. Above all, she is committed to helping her clients embrace and love their own curly hair!
Debbi is the Founder, Owner, and Lead Curl Specialist at the Curl Boutique, Maine's only curly hair exclusive salon. She was recently named Curly Hair Artistry's 2018 Educator of the Year.
Get to Know Debbi!
- I love… what I do! I can't imagine doing anything other than helping clients uncover and embrace their curls.
- My specialty is… hospitality. I love entertaining and planning events.
- My favorite app is… Amazon Prime. I'm a total #AmazonAddict!
- My guilty pleasures are… Dance Moms, spoiling my cat Sylvester, and binging Netflix when I have the time (lol).
- I must read/follow/listen to… Donald Miller, Typology, and TedTalks
- My daily essentials are… coffee, an enneagram thought for the day, and exercise. Then more coffee 😈.
- To me, education is… everything. The older I get, the more I understand the beauty of remaining a student forever. Being curious and questioning the status quo is essential for growth.
- My approach to curls is… to celebrate them! For far too long, curlies have been told to tame and control their hair. To me, each head of curls reflects a unique identity and personality; why would you want to hide that?
- My must-have life tools are… clips, a spray bottle, and Harmonic Healing Oil.
- I find inspiration from… music and nature. Both deeply touch my soul.
- What's it like to work in a team-based salon? Amazing! At the Curl Boutique, we are more than a team. We are a family!
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
Sammy Krupski
Apprentice
Sammy is beyond excited to welcome you to the Curl Boutique. Sammy fatefully met Debbi while working the cash register at a local licensed beauty supply store. With his warm personality and vast product knowledge, Debbi knew he would be an asset to the ever-growing team. It wasn't long before Sammy's first day at the Curl Boutique, and after that, he was becoming a client favorite. Sammy came aboard to support and work alongside the incredibly passionate and talented staff, and because he is currently pursuing his cosmetology license. Cosmetology is a true, long-standing love of Sammy's, and he often studies new techniques or products in his spare time. He also is part of the curl family with long, naturally curly hair!
Sammy believes that what makes the Curl Boutique so unique and beloved is the specialized, exclusive, curl-focused approach delivered via education, experience, and skills. He enjoys the atmosphere in the salon where, as an apprentice, he gets to learn while simultaneously working with clients. Sammy has a spirit for service and he looks forward to meeting you!
Get to Know Sammy!
- I love… fashion, beauty (makeup, skincare, fragrance), traveling and exploring, thrift shopping, horror films, video games, being independent and making people feel beautiful and more confident, inside and out!
- My specialty is… I like to think I have great people skills and can keep a conversation going! I also love making others laugh and smile.
- My favorite apps… Amazon, Starbucks, and eBay.
- My guilty pleasures are… Pokémon and Downton Abbey… hehe!
- I must read/follow/listen to… books and poetry by Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton, stories by H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe, art and photography by Cindy Sherman, Louise Bourgeois, Marilyn Minter, John Willie, Hans Bellmer, and Guy Bourdin, and designers Gareth Pugh, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, and Lanvin.
- My daily essentials are… coffee, candles, Tom Ford cologne, Madonna, and oh - did I mention coffee?! I also cherish having downtime to recharge and relax daily!
- To me, education is… vital to our growth, and helps us to evolve and adapt!
- My approach to curls is… "embrace what you have - naturally!"
- My must-have life tools are… a sketchbook, music, the latest fashion magazine, and a latte (or three!).
- I find inspiration from… unexpected places. It seems to happen most when I'm not even looking for it.
- What's it like to work in a team-based salon? Inclusive, inspiring, and full of endless possibilities for everyone!
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
Brooklyn Moran
Curl Specialist/ Team Educator
Brooklyn has had curly hair her entire life, though her appreciation for it only blossomed in recent years. Growing up, she fought her curls with flat irons and blow dryers, just like many first-time clients. Brooklyn never felt beautiful with her natural curls until she discovered the Deva Curl line and the Curl Boutique. Today, her passion for education is fueled by her desire to help every curly embrace their natural beauty and understand how to style their hair.
Beginning her career as a stylist in 2014, Brooklyn has been striving to learn everything about the industry. She joined the Curl Boutique team shortly after its grand opening in 2017. In addition to obtaining her cosmetology educators license in July 2018, Brooklyn also engages in an annual educational course that trains her to detect unnatural moles on the skin that could pose health concerns to her clients. She is committed to ensuring each client leaves feeling beautiful and confident, just as she did after her first experience at the Curl Boutique. Brooklyn is so excited to make you fall in love with your natural hair!
Get to Know Brooklyn!
- I love… that my fiancé's family is so close. I love how they've offered me the same love and support they offer one another.
- My specialty is… being there when others need me, no matter the circumstances.
- My favorite app is… Instagram, Venmo, Amazon, The Wonder Weeks, and Pinterest.
- My guilty pleasures are… chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds, Apple Crisp Angry Orchard, and Teen Mom on MTV.
- I must read/follow/listen to… @isthisyourclient, @shaunking, @LauraCleary, @Jokoy, @KittenLady, and @RedTableTalk.
- My daily essentials are… any and all forms of caffeine, my Apple Watch, Witch I Love Your Hair, and Buxom lip gloss in Mudslide.
- To me, education is… essential to growth in any situation - personal or professional. There is always room for growth and therefore always a need for education.
- My approach to curls is… to respect them, cater to their health, and show them love and appreciation.
- My must-have life tools are… Bamboobies nursing pads, pin curl clips, an all-in-one changing pad, and a portable charger.
- I find inspiration from… nature, Instagram, and Pinterest.
- What's it like to work in a team-based salon? It's relieving. Instead of competing with each other, everyone works cohesively to help every client in the salon and not just the one in their chair.
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
Daija Lindsay
Curl Specialist
Daija felt compelled to work in the beauty industry starting at ten years old when she started doing her own hair. Daija’s story is similar to many curlies; she struggled and fought with her curls, eventually sticking to the same style every day: a slicked-back ponytail. Feeling frustrated with how her hair never looked as polished as everyone else in school, she turned to flat irons and straightening treatments. When she was 12, she got her first Brazilian blowout. She fell in love with how “easy” her hair was when it was straight. However, her sophomore in high school Daija had enough with the damage she was doing to her hair. She wanted the hours of her life back she spent blow-drying and flat ironing her curls, and she wanted to feel beautiful without needing to change her hair. It wasn’t before long she was researching curly hairstyles, products, and remedies, spending hours watching tutorials on YouTube. Slowly but surely, Daija began to learn how to manage - and love! - her curls.
Daija graduated high school and decided to pursue her dreams of becoming a licensed cosmetologist in 2018. Shortly after, she found her home at the Curl Boutique, joining the team in fall 2019. Daija is thrilled to be living out her dream of inspiring, educating, and encouraging others to fall in love with their own curls, just as she did.
Get to Know Daija!
- I love… how supportive and patient my family and friends have been with me through my journey of graduating from high school and pursuing my dream of becoming a curly hair specialist.
- My specialty is… doing my makeup every morning as if I'm a beauty guru with millions of followers.
- My favorite app is… Instagram, Pinterest, and Amazon.
- My guilty pleasures are… chocolate, and spending hours watching hair and makeup tutorials.
- I must read/follow/listen to… @lisette, @sayridajare, and @gioflipinohair.
- My daily essentials are… water, my phone, my hair products, and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
- To me, education is… so important. Education is crucial in growing and advancing in life.
- My approach to curls is… to give them all the love and affection they need, and to take the utmost care of them.
- My must-have life tools are… a portable charger and my favorite scrunchies.
- I find inspiration from… in day to day activities, and on Instagram and Pinterest
- What's it like to work in a team-based salon? it's so uplifting. Everyone is like one big family. We are always encouraging and building each other up. It's one of the best experiences.
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
Melany Levesque
Operations
Melany grew up in hair salons; as the daughter of a stylist, she'd often sweep floors, stock products, and answer phones when hanging out in the salon after school or on weekends. This instilled a love for all things beauty at a very young age. However, despite having a talented hairstylist mama (and a thing for every product under the sun), Melany never felt her hair was beautiful when curly. Like most naturally curlies, Melany only felt presentable when her hair was pin-straight or manipulated into barrel curls from irons. Though her curly-haired mom caught the "go natural" bug while Melany was still in college, it took her a long time to actually buy into it. Only when she thought about how she could inspire others to embrace their natural hair did she decide to jump on the wagon - and she's never looked back!
Professionally, Melany has had experience in hospitality, customer service, project management, youth work, and operations. She is eager to bring her skills to the Curl Boutique team and feels driven by how the salon has inspired so many people to embrace and love their own curls.
Get to Know Melany!
- I love… food, traveling, music, movies, fashion, sleep, health and fitness, my boyfriend, family, and friends, and my 12-year-old pit bull.
- My specialty is… all things operations! I've geeked out over calendars, planning, and logistics since I was very little, starting when I provided my friends with an agenda for a sleepover when I was nine (seriously).
- My favorite app is… Snapchat, Spotify, UberEats, Maps, and Bed Time Fan.
- My guilty pleasures are… junk food
! - I must read/follow/listen to… NPR's Up First, Gemini Today, Last Podcast on the Left, True Crime Obsessed, Disgraceland, Rebecca Black every Friday, and any inspirational memoir.
- My daily essentials are… water, coffee, ROMWOD, good food, the news, and any amount of time spent outside.
- To me, education is… vital and ongoing. I love to learn about anything and everything.
- My approach to curls is… to embrace them. It's taken me a very long time, but I feel so lucky to have curly hair. It's unique and a part of who I am.
- My must-have life tools are… Blistex, my phone (ugh), my morals, a supportive group of friends and family, and gratitude, always.
- I find inspiration from… bo$$ ladies who are unapologetically authentic and driven like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Michelle Obama, Kim Kardashian, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and my mama.
- What's it like to work in a team-based salon? It's everything. I love the collaboration, support, and vibe of teams.
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
Maddy Love
Apprentice
Maddy has been obsessed with cosmetology and fashion for what feels like forever. As the daughter of a hairstylist, and the youngest of three sisters who are equally into beauty, pouring over make-up and hair tutorials on the internet as a young girl felt natural. Growing up, Maddy's outlook on her hair has always been experimental, trying dyes, wigs, extensions, and hot tools to change-up her style on demand. It was not until recently that she felt a desire to accept her hair in its natural state, and to figure out tips and techniques to make her own curls versatile and exciting. Since joining the Curl Boutique team in the spring of 2019, Maddy has been enjoying learning about the world of curly hair, working hard to understand the science and philosophies behind it all.
A true lover of learning, Maddy is currently a full-time student at the University of Southern Maine, in addition to the education she is receiving at the salon. She loves to work with people and is excited to combine her service-oriented mindset with the styling skills she is developing!
Get to Know Maddy!
- I love… choral music - I am currently attending USM to get my degree in music education, and I aspire to teach high school choir.
- My specialty is… gift-giving. I am an amazing gifter! The secret is being a good listener, so I guess that might be my REAL specialty.
- My favorite app is… the Panera Bread app - it has easy ordering and good rewards. Rapid pick up is a lifesaver.
- My guilty pleasures are… the smell of bacon... I've been a vegetarian since 2011🐷.
- I must read/follow/listen to… @isthisyourclient on Instagram never fails to get a laugh.
- My daily essentials are… coffee, brows, and lashes.
- To me, education is… rewarding. Being a full-time student is exhausting, but greatly rewarding.
- My approach to curls is… patience. The Curly Girl Method isn't an overnight miracle. It takes time for your curls to heal. Give it six months and you'll see progress. Give it two years and you'll feel like a whole new person.
- My must-have life tools are… I Create Finish (a serious game changer), my ring, and Oasis Moisture Gel.
- I find inspiration from… Music. I love finding new arrangements on Youtube.
- What's it like to work in a team-based salon? It's really fun to be in a team-based salon! I prefer working with people and enjoy collaboration, so it fits my style perfectly.
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
Adam Miller
Human Resources
Like other curlies, Adam struggled with his “unruly”, frizzy hair all his life. To tame the mane, he mostly shaved his head or wore hats for the majority of his life. It wasn’t until being inspired by the Curl Boutique and the curly hair movement that Adam decided to grow out his curls and learn to live his best curl life. Since embracing his authentic hair, strangers stop him everywhere he goes to comment on his unique coils. Adam now feels his curls are one of his best features!
Currently working full-time in the mental health field counseling those struggling with addiction and alcoholism, Adam gets fulfillment in serving others. In his “spare time,” he has supported the fast-growing Curl Boutique since its inauguration and continues to do so by managing HR for the team. As a company with multiple employees, Adam keeps the curlistas sane not only by stocking important products and supplies, and executing several (seriously, several) Starbucks runs throughout the week, but also by being a trustworthy link between team members and salon management.
- I love… learning, music, and traveling 😍
- My specialty is… I am a very good listener, which I think has served me very well in life both personally and professionally.
- My favorite app is… Duolingo! I am currently learning French.
- My guilty pleasures are… listening to Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears 😳 don't tell anyone!
- I must read/follow/listen to… Dan Carlin's Hardcore History.
- My daily essentials are… a good, early morning workout, Original Moxie Moisture Gel, and at least a gallon of water (for real!).
- To me, education is… absolutely vital. Education unlocks parts of the world inside of myself that I never even knew existed.
- My approach to curls is… don't shave them off! I've really come full circle with my hair and I love growing out my curls.
- My must-have life tools are… my guitar.
- I find inspiration from… literally everything. I am pretty sensitive and consider myself very open and receptive to inspiration from all sources.
- What's it like to work in a team-based salon? I especially think working in a team-based salon is great because the focus is on everyone succeeding together and not as individuals.
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
Barbara Pierce
Strategies Coach
Barbara's career began in education. Her love of learning and educating others quickly became her passion. In 2001, Barbara joined the beauty industry when she met and married Brett Pierce, who along with his family owns a successful salon in Huntsville, AL. Since then, Barbara has come to admire and embrace the beauty industry and has combined her respect and knowledge of the beauty industry with her passion for education to help others develop growth and performance in their own company.
Whether teaching or working in the salon, Barbara lives by the No-Compromise Leadership principles. As a Certified Strategies Coach, she faces every challenge with a positive outlook. "I just want everyone to know the joy of setting goals and reaching them." Barbara believes the systems and methods taught by Strategies will empower business leaders and equip them to overcome any obstacle. "Our introduction to Strategies all those years ago was a turning point for our company that sparked a period of positive change and growth for us." Now enjoying the challenges that come with opening a new salon location, Barbara is excited to bring her educational skills and salon management knowledge to businesses seeking to achieve their maximum potential.
- I love… to keep 'em laughing.
- My specialty is… being a social chameleon. I love meeting people across a variety of cultures, and I feel like I can fit-in well regardless of social situation.
- My favorite app is… Instacart! Bring me my groceries!!!
- My guilty pleasures are… the Young and the Restless and SO MUCH chocolate!
- I must read/follow/listen to… anything Simon Sinek, Donald Miller, Karin Slaughter for the non-fiction.
- My daily essentials are… a vat of moisturizer and snugs with my dogs 🐶 🐶 🐶.
- To me, education is… essential - once the learning stops, the life deteriorates.
- My approach to curls is… envy laced with a little resentment (I'm sadly NOT a curly girl!).
- My must-have life tools are… mad organizational skills and caffeine.
- I find inspiration from… when someone feeds me 🙂
- What’s it like to work in a team-based salon? Liberating! You know someone always has your back, there is always support, and everyone is rowing in the same direction. Once you see a real team in action, you can't unsee it. Team has a breath and life and body that's absent in so many other workplace settings.
- My favorite meme/GIF is…
