Studio 200

"Our rent was pretty high, so we said, 'What if we did this by ourselves in a smaller place?"' Kalich said. "Financially, it was stupid not to do this."

The duo's combined 20 years of experience in the beauty business made for a smooth transition into an independent salon, Whisler said. Without loyal customers, there would have been no way to support the business.

"It wasn't like we opened up and then were begging people to come through the door. People were telling us to go for it, and they went with us," Whisler said. "I think we were really lucky because Jamie and I both have really good clientele. They talk with their friends, and next thing you know, their friends are coming in, too."

That loyalty spans many years and locations. Clients Kalich met while cutting hair in Northwest Austin still seek her out for hair services, she said, driving from Steiner Ranch to Leander for the perfect cut and color.

But Kalich and Whisler agreed that relationships with their clients go far deeper than haircuts.

"They become family. I just took one of mine to the doctor yesterday," Whisler said. "That's what you do. They support you, and you support them. It's way more than just doing hair. It's the camaraderie of it all."

Studio 200 is open by appointment only and specializes in fashion haircuts, colors, foil highlighting, foil low-lighting, conditioning treatments and waxing. The salon—located in the FM 2243 business park—is set back from the road, away from high volumes of traffic.

But when passers-by notice Studio 200—named after the hair shop's first location near downtown Leander—they are most often curious about its function. From the outside, Kalich said many people can't tell if the salon is an art gallery, dance school or other type of studio.

"We didn't want people to think it was just another hair shop," she said. "I love when people drive up and say, 'Is this a hair salon?' and I'm like, 'Yes, come on in.'"

Studio 200, 11880 Old W. FM 2243, Ste. 107, Leander

• Christian: 971-6442
• Jamie: 743-7400