Fifty Years of Fabulousness

Joseph's Spa & Salon celebrates a milestone under the leadership of second-generation owner Kelli Campbell

Written by Bridget Williams

Every four weeks or so, I will admit to feeling a little giddy when my phone pings with a calendar reminder of an upcoming appointment at Joseph's Salon & Spa. From the moment I cross the threshold and catch the first whiff of Joseph's signature scent, I feel my shoulders loosen, knowing that for at least a few hours, I can indulge in feeling blissfully pampered. This feeling of respite is not due to happenstance; rather, it's the result of second-generation salon owner Kelli Campbell's calculated commitment to minding the details.

Hairdressing as a profession runs deep on both sides of Kelli's family. Her mother Connie has four sisters, and all of them were hairdressers. Her uncle owned Roy's of Louisville Beauty Academy. Describing her father Joe as a "Warren Beatty type," Kelli reminisces that her father cut a striking figure as a hairdresser, wearing a suit while he worked. When Joe and Connie opened Joseph's at its current location on Dutchman's Lane in 1972, then surrounded mainly by farmland, it was one of Louisville's first upscale salons. "The look was very 70s chic, complete with lots of gold and crystal," said Kelli.

Kelli recalls catching the school bus on the corner in front of the salon, helping out by sweeping shorn locks, and occupying her time by holing up in a closet and braiding the hair on mannequin heads. Her parents were resolute in their resolve that she attend college. When Kelli graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in communications, she became the first member of her immediate family to reach this milestone. Her career's opening act was spent working at Saks Fifth Avenue in downtown Cincinnati and living nearby in an area that seems to continually rise and fall in a phoenix-like fashion.

When her father developed COPD, Kelli returned to Louisville to help out with the business and was shocked to see that it had become a shell of its former self. After cleaning house both literally and figuratively, she realized that she loved the business side of operating the salon, and in particular developing talent.

Kelli admits that being the same age or younger than the staff at that time and the fact that she wasn't a cosmetologist created some hurdles she had to work hard to overcome. "It's an important part of my work to elevate the status of my staff as tradespeople and to get them to do the professional things that will help them earn that respect," Kelli explained.

Joseph's was one of the first salons in Louisville to have an esthetician and offer facials. Kelli took those services to the next level in 2000 by physically expanding the salon's footprint and adding a dedicated spa. Another expansion in 2006, which added four additional treatment rooms and a call center, tripled the salon's original square footage.

Today, Joseph's employs 70 full and part-time staff (that number was closer to 100 pre-pandemic). In a quest to obtain a better work-life balance, Kelli's husband Matt now minds the business's financial side. "When we were both managing independent careers, it sometimes felt like we were married single parents," said Kelli, a mother of two teenagers.

During the COVID shutdown, Kelli still went to the salon every day. She began offering curbside service for clients wanting to purchase their favorite AVEDA products and recently launched a new endeavor: Joseph's at Big Spring, a mini-spa located in the new wing at Big Spring Country Club exclusively available to members.

Developing and maintaining a social media presence and offering ways for clients to connect and schedule appointments via text, email, and Joseph's website are a few ways that Kelli ensures that her business remains well-positioned in the increasingly digital era. However, Kelli never loses sight of the fact that the business's heart is its people and the service they provide. "When so much has been taken from us, it's particularly gratifying when a client comes up to me and says, 'I am so grateful to have a moment of calm at Joseph's.'"

Kelli Campbell

What Joseph's current and former employees have to say about the milestone:

“Kelli is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known. She would never ask one of her employees to do anything she doesn’t do hasn’t done or isn’t willing to do to make the magic happen for our staff and clients. I used to always try to explain to young staff as they came in that they were just chosen to join the Ironman group, those of us who have high expectations and are just a bit obsessed with the craft.” — Trudy Hunt, who recently retired after 23 years at Joseph’s

“Joseph’s literally has changed my life! And Kelli Campbell has been the absolute best support system to allow me to explore avenues of my career that I never thought possible. Everyone at Jo’s aren’t just my coworkers...they’re my family!” — Master Stylist Nick Carter

“I applied for a job at Joseph’s Salon 24 years ago. At the time I was impressed with the young business owner Kelli Campbell and the family-like atmosphere that included her dad Joe, who was still cutting hair at the time. Over the years I’ve worked with some of the most talented people in the business and I’m grateful every day for that opportunity. I know the celebrations will be small this year, but cheers to Kelli for everything she’s done and the wonderful business that she has impeccably maintained!” — Master Stylist Karen Stout

“Working at Joseph’s has helped me grow in so many ways. I’m so grateful that Kelli has worked so hard to keep the doors open during such a crazy time. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. I love my Jo’s family.” — Master Stylist Whitney Davis