When Christin Wuestenhoefer opened A Wild Hair Salon & Day Spa in 2007, she didn’t just envision a business — she envisioned a sanctuary. Inspired by her sister, a single mom in need of a fresh start, Christin promised that if her sister went to aesthetician school, she would open a salon for her to share her talent. Her sister accepted the challenge, and A Wild Hair was born: a family-run, teaching salon in the heart of Anthem, Arizona, where every client feels welcomed, valued, and truly at home.
From the very first day, Christin’s mission has been clear: to make everyone who walks through the door feel beautiful, comfortable, and heard. “I want everyone to feel like they belong here,” she says. Her philosophy stems from her own early experiences in other salons, where she often felt embarrassed and unwelcome. “No one wanted to reschedule me. I left feeling small,” she recalls. “I knew I wanted something different. I wanted to create a place where everyone felt accepted.”
A Wild Hair is also a training salon, a place where young stylists fresh out of beauty school are mentored, encouraged, and empowered to grow. Christin herself started in the beauty industry before attending beauty college — she cut hair for her old boss and always knew she wanted to be a business owner. Over the years, she has trained every stylist who has passed through her doors, teaching not just technique, but values: respect, teamwork, and a commitment to clients. “I want my team to feel supported and confident,” she says. “We like to mentor them and empower them, and that makes all the difference.”
The salon’s success isn’t just about technique — it’s about emotional connection. Christin has witnessed her clients through some of life’s most challenging moments. She recalls one client whose hair problems led to a doctor’s visit and a lupus diagnosis. Another, undergoing chemotherapy, found hope when Christin introduced her to a product for thinning hair. “I looked at her six weeks later and said, ‘You have hair.’ She said, ‘I know,’” Christin remembers, tears in her eyes. “Those moments — seeing someone regain confidence or feel beautiful again — are why I do this.”
A Wild Hair has also earned national recognition for its dedication and partnership with the professional beauty community. Partnering with Seven, a leading product company, Christin and her team receive free, ongoing education, learning new techniques and trends to bring back to their clients in Anthem. Their hard work and dedication have been recognized with Most Loyal Partner and Most Valuable Partner awards at a nationwide ceremony. “When we won the first year, I couldn’t believe it,” Christin says. “We weren’t going to go, but the CEO begged us to show because we were nominated. The second year, we didn’t think we would win again — and we did. It was truly amazing.”
Family is at the heart of A Wild Hair. Christin employs her sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, and niece. “We don’t always agree, but we always work it out,” she says. “To me, there is nothing more important than family.” Communication, respect, and shared purpose ensure that the salon runs smoothly, even when disagreements arise. “Teamwork is everything,” she adds. “When I’m gone, they handle business — and I never worry.”
This dedication to family and team extends to the broader community. Christin, a 24-year Anthem resident, credits the community with the salon’s longevity and success. “We wouldn’t be in business if it weren’t for the community,” she says. “Every time I leave my salon, I am so proud to employ my family and provide a space where clients and staff alike feel seen and cared for.”
A Wild Hair’s ethos is simple but powerful: care, connection, and creativity. Christin describes her approach as a combination of therapist, doctor, and artist. “People are sick, they cry, they hate their hair. People want new looks, and I see them through their different phases of life,” she explains. The salon offers more than skincare, makeup lessons, haircuts, styling and color — it provides a safe, supportive environment where clients can share, reflect, and feel heard.
The salon also emphasizes unique, high-quality products. Christin partners with professional lines that are carefully tested and selected, often offering products and tools unavailable anywhere else in Anthem. “I believe in the products I carry,” she says. “We use organic options, tried-and-true products, and the best tools — everything is thoughtful, down to the makeup.” This dedication to quality further reinforces the salon’s commitment to care and professionalism.
Creating a positive, supportive environment extends to the staff culture. A Wild Hair does not rely on chore lists or micromanagement. Team members are encouraged to step up, mentor new stylists, and work as a well-oiled machine. Continuing education, team-building, and modeling behavior for newer staff are key to the salon’s success. “I am proud of my staff,” Christin says. “They are what make this place run. When I go on vacation, I know everything is in good hands.”
A Wild Hair has grown from a small space in a privately owned business park with just a few chairs into an Anthem landmark. Despite its expansion and modernization, the salon has retained its original ethos: everyone is welcome, everyone matters, and everyone leaves feeling valued. Whether it’s hair, skin, or makeup, Christin wants clients to feel at home and to know their voices are heard. Client feedback drives growth and innovation, ensuring the salon evolves while remaining deeply connected to its community.
Christin’s personal journey reflects the salon’s values. Married for 32 years with three children, she is deeply rooted in Arizona. Her family, her team, and her clients are intertwined, forming a network of care, support, and creativity. “I just hope I can spread a little bit of joy,” she says. “I watch my clients get older as I get older. Some have no one else to talk to, and sometimes I just sit with them, grab a chair, and listen. I give them my ear.”
Through its commitment to education, family, community, and personal connection, A Wild Hair Salon & Day Spa embodies the theme of this issue: Giving. It is more than a salon — it is a place where joy, care, and beauty intersect, where clients and staff alike feel empowered, supported, and truly seen. In Christin’s hands, a haircut is not just a style — it is a gift.
“Those moments — seeing someone regain confidence or feel beautiful again — are why I do this.”