SPONSORED
Nick Stenson is a beauty industry leader, hairstylist, and entrepreneur, recognized for his previous work with many large corporations and as the founder of Nick Stenson Beauty. With decades of experience in haircare and salon operations, he has earned a reputation for combining creativity with strategic insight that elevates the salon experience. He has also collected numerous industry awards along the way.
Inspired by an early passion for hair, he launched Nick Stenson Beauty, a line of luxurious, high-performance haircare that is suitable for all types. Through his work and products, he continues to inspire confidence and empower people to embrace their natural beauty.
With a shocking move from his work with Ulta Beauty, a job which many see as the dream job, to focusing wholeheartedly on Nick Stenson Beauty, The Tease connected for an exclusive Q&A with Nick Stenson to discuss his move, the creative approach to building a successful career in the beauty industry, and the vision behind Nick Stenson Beauty.
The Tease: What do you think the next generation of leaders in beauty needs most right now?
Nick Stenson: Leaders need to really immerse themselves to understand and listen to what the consumer needs. Once you’re clear on that, you need to build a team of subject matter experts to help bring that consumer demand to life. The winning leaders realize that they aren’t the boss; rather, they are part of a team and it’s the leader’s job to bring the team together and allow each person to be heard. When a team feels their input is valued, the output of the work will be so much better.
The Tease: What lessons did you learn leading such a large team of artists and influencing the direction of pro beauty at a corporate level?
Nick Stenson: The importance of putting processes in place and developing a master strategy for each area of responsibility and then holding yourself accountable to the deliverables. Use this to measure progress along the way. This ensures everyone is clear on what success looks like.
The Tease: How did that experience shape you, not just as a professional, but as a person?
Nick Stenson: My time at Ulta Beauty was the most pivotal time of evolution for me as a person and a leader. I had to personally level up to meet the demands of the fast-paced growing business.
The Tease: You’ve been such a visible leader in the professional beauty space for years. What did it feel like to finally say, “It’s time to take this leap”?
Nick Stenson: I found myself at a crossroads. I could have doubled down and become the best corporate executive that I could be, or I could become CEO of my own company and take all that I learned over the last 25 years and put those lessons to work for my own company. I obviously choose the latter. I also said to myself, if I don’t invest all my blood, sweat and tears why should I ever expect anyone else to invest in me.
The Tease: Leaving a role that so many stylists dream about isn’t a small decision. What was the emotional process like behind it?
Nick Stenson: My number one concern was my team. I felt like I was abandoning them. I then realized they all are in these roles for a reason, and I knew they were ready to take things to the next level, and they didn’t need me to do that.
The Tease: What do you think people might not realize about what goes into making a move like this?
Nick Stenson: These are major life decisions and can’t be made without planning. Choosing to invest in yourself is equally exciting and terrifying. This means you are the leader, and it all falls on your shoulders. You must put in even more hours than you ever expected, and things don’t always move as fast as you would like.
The Tease: How would you describe the heart of your brand? What story do you want it to tell?
Nick Stenson: I built this brand to achieve two goals: instill confidence in everyone who uses it as well as help overwhelmed consumers by simplifying their day-to-day routine and giving them salon-quality results.
The Tease: Now that you’re fully focused on the Nick Stenson Beauty brand, what does your vision look like?
Nick Stenson: Now that I am fully focused on my brand, I have been working on the future of the brand. Everything I ever bring to market will be to fulfil a need that someone has. I am working on some exciting innovations that will be launching in 2026 and can’t wait to share more as we get closer.
The Tease: How does it feel to finally be pouring all your energy into something that’s entirely yours?
Nick Stenson: It is so rewarding. I get excited to jump into meetings. I get excited about what the future looks like. I am truly living my dream.
The Tease: Has your creative process changed now that you’re no longer balancing corporate responsibilities?
Nick Stenson: Yes, it’s a bit of a reinvention for me. Putting aside the corporate mindset and leaning into the brand founder role. Everything I think of now is how will this decision impact the end user and what does the world need that they don’t have and how can I be the one who solves that problem a consumer may have.
The Tease: Your move really symbolizes something bigger, a shift toward independence and creative ownership. How do you see that trend evolving in our industry?
Nick Stenson: I would say this is less of a trend and more about being clear about what legacy I want to leave. Each career decision I have made has challenged me to grow as a person and a leader.
The Tease: Looking back, what are you most proud of from your time at Ulta Beauty?
Nick Stenson: This is such a hard question to answer because I have so much that I am proud of. The biggest thing for me is the people. I was able to build incredible teams across the company and field. I am proud of each team I was able to build and when I left, I knew that the team in place was going to do great things for years to come.
The Tease: What message do you hope your journey sends to stylists watching from behind the chair?
Nick Stenson: There are actually a few things I hope stylists can learn. First, that your dreams can be your reality if you’re willing to put in the work. The kind of work you never expected but you’re leaning into it. I also want stylists to see that I did hair for many years behind the chair. I know what they go through and how important it is to have the right tools for success. My goal is to see Nick Stenson Beauty as a solution to their everyday needs.
The Tease: You’ve always been an advocate for stylists. How will that continue to show up through your brand and your work moving forward?
Nick Stenson: My goal is to double down on my support for the industry. As leaders, we need to do more to help support the future of the industry and continue to provide ways to succeed, no matter what role you play in beauty. I always say that I am privileged to work in beauty, and I believe it is the best industry. We need to ensure the new stylists coming into it understand how many ways you can be successful in beauty, so they stay in the industry and enjoy a fulfilling career.
The Tease: What does success look like for you now? Has your definition of it changed?
Nick Stenson: It really hasn’t changed for me, but now I am working hard to hold myself accountable to my goals. I am very passionate about building a world-class lifestyle brand that is loved and trusted by the pro community, and that consumers learn that we have a solution to all their needs.
The Tease: When you think about this next era of your life and career, what do you hope people will say about the mark you’ve made?
Nick Stenson: I hope people feel seen and heard. That they look to Nick Stenson Beauty as a trusted friend. A brand that fills so many needs but at the same time is a brand that inspires pros and consumers and that they feel deeply connected to the brand. I want to build my company to be a world-class organization that provides career opportunities to many. That celebrates the pros, provides solutions to the consumer and is a community of people who all feel like they belong and are celebrated.
