PRESIDENT: LOIS CHRISTIE, CEO, CHRISTIE & CO. SALON • SPA
Lois Christie
Founder and active CEO of CHRISTIE & CO, one of the largest salons in New York City, Lois Christie is an award-winning beauty industry business woman and business lecturer who has recently been elected as the first female Vice President of the prestigious international organization, “Intercoiffure America/Canada”, that represents the best salons worldwide.
Christie has been honored for her community service and has been recognized as one of the “Top Ten Women in Business”. She has also been honored by Mayor Michael Bloomberg as one of the “Business Women of the Year” and as one of the “20/20″ Leaders” for her leadership and contributions to the community, in both business and philanthropic areas.
Among her other awards and honors include: “Outstanding Achievement in Women’s Rights” from the Queens Woman’s Center of New York; ” Humanitarian Award ” and “Top hat Award” from the American Cancer Society; “Women of Vision Award” from “WORC”, the Working Organization of Retarded Children; Wella’s “Winning Looks” Colorist of the Year”; Clairol’s “Color Can Make A Difference”, raising money for the fight against AIDS; Intercoiffure “Artistic Achievement Award” and “Intercoiffure Chevalerie” from Intercoiffure Paris; “Leslie Blanchard Color Award” and was honored by Juvenile Diabetes for her outstanding work for children with that disease and has been acknowledged for her work from World Congress Japan 2004.
Christie grew up in Queens and finished beauty school in Flushing, determined to be the best hairdresser and to own her own business. Thirty-five years ago, with a $1,500 loan from her uncle, she opened her first hair salon in Queens, a relatively small salon with four other hairdressers. However, not even she could have predicted being the owner of one of the largest full- service salons in New York City, “Christie & Co. Salon”, located n the prestigious Bay Terrace Shopping Center
“I was lucky; I was able to have my dream fulfilled and it just keeps getting better,” says Christie. “I really didn’t envision 35 years ago that we would grow to this size, but I think now the possibilities are endless”.
Her 8,000 square foot salon has over 70 employees including 24 hairdressers and 16 colorists that help provide services ranging from basic salon services to very high technical microdermabrasions to nearly 250 clients each day. While the company has grown and prospered throughout the years, it has become one of the first salons to provide hospital care, health care, a 401 plan, paid holidays and vacation and education for all of its employees.
Christie and her staff have been helping three generations worth of clients and have established a reputation within the community for caring about their clients. Besides providing beauty services to its clients, Christies works with many local charities including St. Mary’s Hospital; American Cancer Society as well as sponsoring little league and football games school events and offering prom prizes and makeovers throughout the year. “It’s a given that you have to give back, but I think more importantly, to enjoy doing it,” advises Christie. “My staff and myself take great pride and pleasure on being able to help people achieve their goals too.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
(listing coming soon)