“I wanted to keep the name because we’ve had horse ranches and we’re going to get another horse ranch,” she said.
The location in Chino Valley has been a salon for 25 years, but Hinesley started working there five years ago and purchased the salon a year later.
“I wanted to keep the name because we’ve had horse ranches and we’re going to get another horse ranch,” she said.
Hinesley and her husband, Bob, moved to Chino Valley from North Dakota because they wanted to come to a place where they could ride their horses. She said during the winter they would have to drive five hours to Mt. Rushmore to ride their horses where the temperature would commonly be around 20 degrees.
“We also wanted a place with clean air, and Chino Valley is a good fit,” she said.
Since The Rancher’s Wife Salon opened, it has won the Neighborhood’s Favorite Salon honor every year from the NextDoor app.
Hinesley likes to stay active with the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce when she has time, but that’s not always the case, as she and her husband have three businesses. They also own Outlaw Welding and Outlaw Trading Co.
“The most challenging part of the business is there are not enough hours in the week,” she said.
After 33 years of standing on her feet while working in salons, she is glad to have other cosmetologists working at The Rancher’s Wife Salon. All of the workers are certified cosmetologists. They work on hair, skin and nails.
She, along with Bob and son, Seth, also serve with the Arizona Rangers.
Hinesley said her favorite part of the salon is the people. “We have a full clientele, most are return customers,” she said, noting that 90% of her customers are women. “We’ve become friends with our return clients.”
She also reports “no drama” and “good camaraderie” at The Rancher’s Wife Salon, where workers continuously educate themselves on the latest in cosmetology.
Hinesley earned her cosmetology certification in California, where part of the certification involved performing before a state board with a live model, her sister, for four hours. Combined, the six cosmetologists at The Rancher’s Wife Salon have more than 150 years of experience.
Hinesley earned her cosmetology degree from Lyle’s College of Beauty in Bakersfield, California.
“We have a higher level of expertise,” she said. “We also want to capture the essence of Arizona and the West, with its equine culture.” QCBN
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
For more information, call 928-636-4637.
Photo by Stan Bindell: Feeling at home in the rustic chic salon, owner Kelly Hinesley enjoys the ranch-friendly vibe of the Quad Cities.