Refuge Barber & Supply The

Erin Koslo and Jason Ritchie, co-owners and co-founders of The Refuge Barber and Supply and its sister store Vanity Corner Hair and Boutique, have been in the hair-cutting business since 2005. Jason started out working in construction for his father’s housing company – renovating, framing and roofing homes – before he went on to become a licensed hairstylist and barber at Est-elle Academy of Hair Design. “When I got into hair, it was a nice change of pace. I really ended up loving it,” says Jason. Erin pursued her hairstyling license at Blanche MacDonald in Vancouver – Canada’s number one beauty school for makeup, fashion and hair. “For me, my passion was always in hair. I couldn’t imagine doing something that isn't creative,” she says.

The pair opened Refuge Barber and Supply in early 2015, after moving from Jasper Avenue, when they noticed many stylists were switching industries from hairstyling to barbering. “A lot of stylists began seeking out their own environments and leaving salons for barbershops. We decided to go that route,” says Erin. “It’s best in our industry for a fresh start every once in a while to reinvent yourself and your platform.”

Reinventing oneself is something that comes easy to Jason and Erin. “The industry is all about changing styles and trends,” says Erin. “And if you don’t change with it, you end up getting left behind. Especially since there are a lot of good places in Edmonton to get your hair cut.”