OUR TEAM
At CaJah Salon, we are home to an amazing team of employees and independent contractor service providers. Each of them brings incredible talent, product knowledge, top-of-the-line service, and passion for their work. We’re thrilled to work with some of the very best talent available in Minnesota and to share their skills with our clients.
STYLIST: 1-10 YRS EXPERIENCE
ADVANCED STYLIST: 11-20 YRS EXPERIENCE
MASTER STYLIST: 20+ YRS EXPERIENCE
CARRIE SARTIN
Owner/Master Stylist
Carrie has 36 years of experience in the beauty industry. An active stylist, Carrie brings the best out of her client’s hair as an expert stylist and color specialist. She has succeeded as a Salon Manager and Educational Director during much of her career and continues her commitment to education by always seeking out new techniques, products, and methods for the benefit of her clients.
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She is passionate about fitness, health, and wellness. She has directed and coached an award-winning high school gymnastics program and encouraged the development of her gymnasts both on and off the competition floor. Carrie is dedicated to giving back through charitable work. As a cancer survivor, she hosts and participates in our annual Breast Ever Dinner to support research and finding a cure, in partnership with the Breast Cancer Education Association here in Minnesota.
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Whenever she is able to, she travels to Arizona to see her two adult children, Tayler (24) and Sivan (22). They go on lots of beautiful hikes and spend as much time as they can lounging by the pool.
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Instagram: @carriesartin
JIM HALVORSON
Owner/Master Stylist
Jim has been in the beauty industry for over 24 years and has a passion for bringing out the best features in each of his clients. He is a sought after colorist and trainer for many salon professionals, nationwide.
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Jim is also a skilled makeup artist, working as a freelancer for internationally recognized brands. His abilities allow him to provide a full suite of services for special occasions and to cater to the unique needs and requests of each client. Jim’s work in both fields has been featured in well-known publications in the Midwest. Growing up in the home of a police officer, Jim hosts our annual Benefit for Public Safety K9s, which provides public agency K9s (law enforcement, search and rescue, and fire) with necessary equipment like door pop / heat alarm units, in-squad kennels, and bullet / multi-threat vests through Hero K9.
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Instagram: @jhalvorson1129
CAROL LEE SWENSON
Master Stylist
Carol Lee has 32 years of experience as a stylist. A graduate of Aveda, she embraces all that the Kérastase and Oribe product lines have to offer her clients. Carol Lee specializes in cuts and colors and uses only the best styling products to complete your signature look. A St. Paul native, she has a loyal client following from the surrounding area and appreciates CaJah’s support of small business and giving back through charitable fundraising efforts.
BRENT HOLST
Master Stylist
Brent is a graduate of the Aveda Institute Minneapolis with 30 years of experience in hair styling and educating. Born and raised in the Highland Park area, CaJah Salon feels right at home for him and his clients! He loves working with all hair types, textures, and lengths, with special emphasis in men's clipper cuts and women's short styles.
MADISON M
Master Stylist
Madison has been a stylist for 27 years. A graduate of the Aveda Institute, Madison has continued her extensive education all over the country with classes that include Vidal Sassoon, Nick Arrojo, Kevin Murphy, Oribe, The Doves, L’Oréal Professional, Kerastase, and Moroccan oil. As an educator for most of her career, Madison is excited to share her knowledge with others and creates a look that fits each client while providing them the ability to re-create it at home. Madison loves working with clients of all hair types but has a deep passion for curly hair and full transformations.
SHANNON BURNS
Master Stylist
Shannon started her career as a hairstylist in San Francisco 35 years ago. Her first love is hair care. She believes beautiful hair is the end goal where healthy hair is the foundation. She is passionate about maintaining the natural beauty of her clients’ textured and curly hair, whether they wear it curly or straight. The transformation is the best part! Shannon is a textured hair specialist.
JAMES PETER
Master Stylist/Extension Specialist
James Peter began his journey with hair 26 years ago, receiving his Cosmetology license at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minnesota. With 22 years of experience, James is excited to rejoin his family and continue his journey back home in Minnesota at CaJah Salon. James has spent the last 12yrs in Los Angeles at the world famous Canale Salon in Beverly Hills, where he was quickly promoted to Master Stylist, Extension Specialist and Salon Manager. He has traveled to San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, New York and Washington D.C. for high profile clients including A-list celebrities Jennifer Aniston, Penelope Cruz, Heidi Klum, Amanda Bynes, Shakira, and Denise Richards, who attended events such as: The Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmy’s and LA Fashion Week. His philosophy is that everyone has the right to feel Fabulous, and he is dedicated to making sure that when you sit in his chair you are the celebrity and will receive that same red carpet treatment each and every time!
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Instagram: @hairby_jamespeter
TIA MANNING
Master Stylist
Tia Manning has 33 years of experience in hair designing. She has mastered the cutting techniques needed to create the perfect short, trendy, pixie style. She also specializes in soft-curl perms, and color services. She is dedicated to crafting personalized looks that mirror each client's personality and vision of themselves. There is nothing better than a beautiful cut and color to make you feel beautiful each and every day!
BIANCA LIPARI-JOHNSON
Master Stylist
Bianca was born here in Minnesota and raised by a family full of hairstylists! She graduated from the Aveda Institute and has 32 years of industry experience here in St Paul. She has a passion for educating clients about hair care and how to duplicate their salon look at home. She enjoys working with dimensional color and all hair types. When not at work she enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband and three kids along with her big Italian family.
TRACY REESE
Master Stylist
Tracy is new to CaJah, but not to St. Paul, or to the beauty industry.
Having worked as a stylist at The Andre’-Franca Studio for 38 years, she has a loyal client following and has gained a reputation for telling it like it is. She works with all hair types and really shines when corrective color services are needed.
Tracy is passionate about travel to faraway places, and immersing herself into different cultures and new experiences when she’s not working behind the chair.
SCOTT NELSON
Master Stylist
Scott is a graduate of the Horst Education Center (Aveda Institute} and has been in the hair industry for 41 years. Starting his career at Horst and Friends in Highland Park then at Andre Franca Studio on Grand Avenue for 36 years, he has always enjoyed the creativity and artistry of working in the salon, and is excited to be at CaJah Salon. Known for his attention to detail he specializes in women's short to mid length hair, coloring, mens styling and clipper cuts. He always wants his client's to leave looking fabulous and confident!
LAURA HEAL
Master Stylist
Laura has 20 years of experience as a stylist and loves helping her clients feel amazing, which is why most of them are also her friends. Laura believes in educating her clients, explaining the details, and providing them with meticulously detailed colors and cuts to make sure they look their very best.
JENNA MARKSON
Master Stylist
Jenna has 20 years of industry experience, and working with clients, She ensures that her clients have what they need to know in order to achieve salon results at home. Born and raised in Minnesota, Jenna graduated from Scot Lewis School of Cosmetology and loves staying current with trends, as well as continuing education. She enjoys working with hair of all lengths, from long and layered cuts to short, textured pixies, while making sure the color is perfectly matched to its complimentary cut.
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Instagram: @hairbyjennamarkson
HOLLY KLESCHOLD
Advanced Stylist
Holly is a well rounded stylist with over 14 years in the beauty industry. She is excited to find her home back behind the chair at CaJah Salon. Holly has a bubbly personality and loves to have fun with her clients while bringing their hair to its fullest potential. Throughout her career she has gained extensive knowledge and experience in a variety of haircutting, coloring and styling techniques and enjoys working with all different lengths and textures of hair. She focuses on giving her clients a style that will make them feel confident and will suit their lifestyle and daily routine.
ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
Kevin Murphy Educator
Advanced Stylist
Elizabeth has been in the industry for 13 years and specializes in balayage, curly hair, & Calligraphy Cut. She loves helping clients enhance and celebrate their natural beauty with gorgeous colors and easy to style haircuts. An educator for both Kevin.Murphy & Calligraphy Cut, she believes passionately in growing her skills by continuing education classes. This means her clients are always getting the latest & most fashion-forward styles, as well as leaving the chair with the knowledge to recreate their style at home. Her absolute favorite thing about being a stylist is making people feel beautiful inside & out.
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Instagram: @elizabethhairstyle
MATTHEW MARTINEZ
Advanced Stylist
Matthew has 14 years of experience and is a detail-oriented stylist that focuses on making his clients look and feel their best. He's an expert in balayage and creative color.
Always up for a challenge, Matthew loves to do makeovers. Whether it be taking your long locks to a precise bob, or transforming your dark hair to a bright dimensional balayage. Matthew's main focus is on you. His clients rave that he delivers the best shampoo and scalp massage!
Matthew has also styled for local state representatives and was also a stylist for the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders for 4 years.
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Instagram: @mhm.thehairslayer
TARAH HAZARD
Advanced Stylist
Tarah has just under 10 years of experience and enjoys specialized color services including ombre, balayage, and color corrections. When you sit in her chair, its like a vacation and a little bit of time spent away from your everyday stress. You can expect a customized personal experience. Working to build a beautiful stylist/client relationship built on trust, support and laughter.
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Instagram: @hairbytarah15
JENNIFER CASSIDY
Stylist/Lash Extension Artist
Jennifer completed her training in both cosmetics and esthetics 9 years ago, where she found her passion for lashes. She then went on to become an eyelash extension artist, specializing in a variety of styles including classic, hybrid, and volume. With four years of experience as an eyelash extension artist, she can help you achieve your unique lash look, from classic, subtle lashes to full, glamorous volume lashes, For hair, she loves adding personality with fun colors and balayages. She is excited to offer hair and eyelash services at CaJah Salon.
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Instagram: @hairbyjencassidy
OLIVIA ENQUIST
STYLIST
Meet Olivia! Olivia is a MN native but studied English at Luther College in Decorah, IA, and has now graduated from the Atelier Academy of Beauty 3 years ago. She is passionate about hair and learning all the things she can in order to bring you the best experience possible. She is excited for this next phase as she has graduated our apprenticeship program and is now a full time stylist! In her free time, Olivia likes to collect vintage vinyl records, to bake and cook, and to spend time traveling.
Instagram: @liven.hair
RU BAUER
STYLIST
Introducing Ru, a talented stylist and licensed professional who graduated from AVEDA Minneapolis in 2022. With a year of shadowing our master stylist under his belt, Ru has honed his skills and gained invaluable experience. He's absolutely thrilled to kickstart his career with us! Ru's passion for trending haircuts, hair colors, and all things hair is truly limitless, and he's always eager to embrace new techniques and styles. But that's not all—Ru's adventurous spirit extends to his deep love for music. Whether he's playing the piano, strumming the guitar, singing, rapping, or creating fresh jams on Spotify and Apple Music, his talents are truly remarkable.
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Instagram: @ru.stylez
JULES HENDRICKS
STYLIST
Jules is a 2022 Aveda Institute graduate and licensed stylist with a passion for all things hair! He is new to CaJah as an Apprentice Stylist but not new to hair. He especially loves color/blonding and men’s cuts, but does all types of hair. He is very ambitious when working behind the chair and is excited to learn all that he can from our Master Stylists here at CaJah. Some of his outside passions are going to the gym and working on his motorcycle.
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Instagram: @hairbyhendrixx
CAROLINE WARNER
STYLIST
Caroline has been in the hair industry for 3 years. She enjoys doing color, especially blonding and vivid colors. She also loves cutting classic bobs and men’s cuts. Her favorite part of being a hairstylist is making connections and watching people leave her chair feeling beautiful and confident. When she is not doing hair, you can find her playing bass with her band, spending time with her nephew, or crocheting blankets on the couch. She hopes to see you in her chair!
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Instagram: @cwarnerhair
RAVEN KUZIA
Advanced Practice Esthetician/Marketing Manager
Raven graduated from St. Catherine University in 2008 with a degree in Small Business/Marketing & Management, followed by her certification in esthetics from The Institute of Beauty and Wellness-Milwaukee in 2015. She has since received her Advance Practice Esthetician license here in MN. Her passion has always been to help small businesses grow and expand while also offering services that clients love. Raven specializes in beautiful brows, dramatic lash lifts, luxurious facials, and women’s Brazilian waxes. What she enjoys most about being an esthetician is to have each client leave their appointment with a renewed sense of self, feeling even better than when they came in.
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Instagram: @raven.cajah
CHRISTINE ROGERS
PA-C/AESTHETIC INJECTOR
Chrisy was born and raised in Minnesota and is a proud mother to her son Ellis. She graduated from St. Catherine University with a biology major and worked in forensics for 3 years. In 2001, she began her training as a Physician Assistant at Augsburg College where she completed a Masters Program in Physician Assistant studies in 2004. She practiced in Family Medicine, General Surgery, and Vascular Surgery for 3 years. For the past 12 years, she has focused her attention to Urgent Care settings.
Chrisy is a certified aesthetics injector and she enjoys procedures and providing services that result in a more youthful appearance, while achieving natural results. She is also excited to offer weight loss injections as part of her services. She believes that there are many ways to promote and embrace health and wellness through aesthetic services. Chrisy is excited to practice Aesthetic Medicine at CaJah Salon.
CUTS & STYLES
VANG XIONG
PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST
Vang graduated from the Minnesota Brow Lash and Medspa Academy in April of 2023 and has completed his 200 hour apprenticeship and is a licensed permanent makeup artist. With his college background in art, creativity and attention to detail, he has applied those skills to his new profession in performing beautiful permanent makeup services that anyone can benefit from. His specialties include: Microblading/Powder brows, Upper and Lower Lash Enhancement, and Lip Blushing.
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Instagram: @vang.pmuartist