Kelly Nicole’s Curls and Co. in Sarasota is a full-service salon that has specialized in curly hair for over six years. With a strong focus on client education, the salon aims to simplify hair care routines and empower clients to embrace their natural texture. The first appointment at Curls and Co. is a two-hour session designed for anyone with any wave or curl in their hair—it’s not intended for those with stick-straight strands. During the session, clients learn about the unique qualities of their curls, how to care for them and how to enhance their natural texture. “We focus on the health of the hair,” says Kelly. “Clients learn how hair functions, what it needs to be frizz-free and they leave with home care instructions.” Her signature cutting technique involves a free-form, curl-by-curl approach, done without a comb, to create a shape that works with each person’s natural curl pattern. Four stylists, personally trained by Kelly, help deliver this individualized care and word of mouth has brought in clients from hours away. A Sarasota native, Kelly knows firsthand the struggle of growing up with curls. “As a kid, every salon visit ended in a curly mullet,” she laughs. “I tried relaxing my hair and almost fried it off. Eventually, I had no choice but to embrace my curls—and I realized I wasn’t alone.” Today, she trains both stylists and the community to care for and love curly hair the way she has learned to. Kelly is  developing her own eco-friendly product line tailored to curls, with a strong commitment to the environment. “Growing up in Florida, I’ve always loved nature—but I’ve also seen how it’s being destroyed,” she says. “That’s why I started working on a sustainable, affordable line that’s made, packaged and sold right here in Florida.” Her long-term goal? To use a portion of the proceeds to support wildlife conservation and help create artificial reefs. —B. Heit

Kelly Nicole’s Curls and Co. of Sarasota, 4615 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 941-525-8702, kellynicolecurlsandco.com