Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Clay.
Hi Casey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my career at just 20 years old, assisting some of the most talented stylists in the Montrose and River Oaks areas. At that time, being a “jack of all trades” was the norm, so I learned to do everything—color, cutting, styling, extensions, and even makeup for special events. I worked both in the salon and on location, taking every opportunity that came my way.
One of those opportunities was doing makeup for the 5 a.m. anchor at KHOU Channel 2. I’d arrive at the studio by 3:45 a.m., finish by 5, then head home to get ready for a full day at the salon. I said yes to everything—a wedding in New Orleans, a 40th birthday in Dallas, extension installs on my days off. If someone needed me, I named my price and showed up. For a year, I even traveled as the personal makeup artist for a public speaker, which gave me incredible professional experiences and personal firsts, like flying private and staying in luxury hotels.
By 2008, at just 26 years old, I believed I was ready to open my own salon—despite having absolutely no idea how to run a business. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss. I found a space I could afford, tucked away in a rougher part of the neighborhood but still close enough to my clientele. I worried about how my high-end clients would react to the location, but most of them didn’t mind at all.
It was me behind the chair five days a week, along with a few talented stylists I helped build and grow—two of whom still work with me today. We made it work despite the homeless population outside our door, the leaky roof, and the A/C that never kept up during Houston’s brutal summers. After 15 years in that space, I knew it was time for an upgrade. I wanted better for myself, my stylists, and our clients.
Owning that first salon taught me more than I could have imagined. I experienced failures and wins, invested heavily in personal development, learned through trial and error, grew thick skin, and truly mastered the art of adapting. I never stopped learning.
My husband, who works in commercial real estate, and I spent nearly two years looking at almost every available space in Montrose and River Oaks. That time allowed me to create the new name—River Oaks Salon—build a new website, refine policies and procedures, and get crystal clear on my brand.
Then we found it. A clean white-box space in the perfect location. It needed cosmetic work, but the essentials, like HVAC, were already done. Summer 2023 was “go time.” My husband and I designed the entire salon ourselves—from the flooring to the wallpaper to the exact spacing between the shampoo bowls. The space is only 1,500 sq. ft., but we made every inch count: a retail reception area, six styling chairs, three shampoo bowls, a breakroom/laundry area, and an additional employee bathroom. We kept the aesthetic bright, airy, and modern, with soft pinks, sage greens, and natural wood accents.
We opened our doors in January 2024, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made for my business. We’ve grown from three stylists to six, added a receptionist and a salon assistant, and our visibility at 3727 Westheimer Rd. has been incredible. The energy of the River Oaks community has been a perfect fit.
Every stylist at River Oaks Salon is committed to ongoing education and mastering the latest trends and techniques. We partner closely with Davines and Sachajuan for in-salon education, and we specialize in dimensional color, lived-in haircuts, clean men’s cuts, and luxury hair extensions.
Our mission is simple:
To provide friendly, personalized service through a team of highly skilled and creative professionals. Teamwork is our greatest asset, ensuring our clients always come first. We build real relationships and take time to understand the needs and wants of every guest. At River Oaks Salon, expertise and creativity come together to leave every client feeling transformed and empowered.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all — and I don’t think entrepreneurship is meant to be smooth. There have been chapters that stretched me both personally and professionally.
Financial toughness has definitely been one of them. There were seasons where money was tight, and as the owner, quitting simply isn’t an option. Employees and clients depend on you. You’re the first one to show up, the last one to leave, and often the last one to get paid. Carrying that responsibility can be heavy, but it has also made me incredibly resilient and resourceful.
The COVID shutdown was one of the hardest moments of my career. We were completely closed for 10 weeks, with no roadmap and no concept of what was coming next. I had to stay calm and keep my stylists informed while updating our clients every step of the way. When we finally reopened, we worked six days a week, 10 hours a day for three straight weeks just to catch up. Wearing masks while cutting, coloring, and blow-drying — and trying to communicate through them — added a whole new level of difficulty. Emotions were high everywhere in the world, and that sensitivity carried into the salon environment. It was a lot to navigate.
Another challenge is understanding that we can’t make every single person happy. Hair is personal, and sometimes the fit just isn’t right, or expectations are unrealistic. Even when you do everything in your power to exceed a client’s expectations, it still stings if they leave unhappy. Learning not to take that to heart — while continuing to learn and improve — has been a big part of my growth.
Through every obstacle, though, I’ve become stronger, smarter, and more grounded as a leader. The struggles have shaped me just as much as the successes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think what I’m most known for is being incredibly down-to-earth and easy to connect with. Those qualities play a huge role in my work behind the chair. Hair isn’t just technical — it’s relational. I take the time to understand what each client wants not just for today, but also for the future of their hair. It’s a partnership. One of my clients always jokes, “You’re the second most important man in my life — only because my husband is first.” And honestly, that reflects exactly what I strive for: true connection and trust.
Professionally, I’m extremely proud of the longevity of my career and business. To be in the salon industry for almost 17 years is something I don’t take lightly. Salons have some of the highest failure rates and the tightest margins — second only to restaurants — so staying successful and continuing to grow is something I’m deeply grateful for. My journey has been full of trial and error, but every lesson has made me a better stylist and a stronger business owner. I’ve learned how to pivot, how to lead, and I’m never afraid to ask for help when I need it.
What sets me apart is a combination of my technical work, my leadership, and my genuine investment in people — both clients and stylists. My goal is always the same: to make every person who sits in my chair feel seen, heard, understood, and beautiful.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I was raised in a rural small town outside of Houston, where childhood meant playing in the woods until dark, swimming in the pond, and collecting arrowheads along the creek on our family land. In junior high and high school, I spent most of my free time on horseback, competing in rodeos, roping calves, and barrel racing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://riveroakssalon.com/
- Instagram: @riveroakssalon
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=River+Oaks+Salon
