By Shayna Mace | Photographed by Shayna Mace
What brought you to Arch after working in the cosmetology and hair styling fields in downtown Chicago?
I went to cosmetology school with Betsy Branca, the founder of Arch. She opened the first location in Rockford in 2011.
I bought in and joined the company when the Chicago shop opened in hopes that we would open a store in Madison someday. After [our] Madison [boutique] was up and running in 2015, we started looking into the Milwaukee area and it fell into place [to open one there] this past November. That’s been a vision since we opened.
We try to keep it boutique—we’re not a fan of the “commercial” feel. There’s walkability and foot traffic with our stores. I really like the Square and there wasn’t a lot for retail [in this area]. But in the last five years or so, that seems to be changing a bit.
Opening brick-and-mortar shops is refreshing in this day and age of online shopping. Why did you and Betsy decide to go this route?
We’re both very driven, and I’m a risk-taker myself. We see it as more of an opportunity than a risk. What’s different about us is that we’re locally owned—there’s no franchising. With our four stores, it’s very manageable for [Betsy and I], and our other business partner, Emma Brearly.
What’s special about the products that Arch curates and the services you do?
We’re adamant about our products being natural—a lot of them are natural or organic. We carry a selection of products with different price ranges so there’s something for everyone. And, a lot of them are [items] you can’t find just anywhere. We do try all of our products too.
We also focus on express services. So, makeup application, full facial waxing with a focus on brows, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, lash lifting, blowouts and hair styling, hydrafacials and express facials, and BOTOX, Sculptra and Kybella injections. We’ve also started B12 injections too which can help with stress, anxiety … and energy.
What brands are you most excited about?
Chantecaille is one of the main ones. They are a philanthropic brand, so many of their products will be paired with an animal foundation and part of the proceeds will go to that particular animal foundation. Also Omorovicza and Eminence for skincare, Laura Mercier and Kevyn Aucoin for makeup, and Oribe for hair are brands that can be hard to find. A few of our lines we worked with them for years before we were allowed to carry them.
Why do you like working in the beauty industry?
I love the clients—everybody is here to feel beautiful, and they’re always in such a great mood. It’s rewarding to help with that process.