Brigette Sobus – Owner
As owner of Salon Soca, Brigette has been a fixture in the beauty industry since 1993. Her experience is long and impressive, beginning with advanced training through Zano’ Hair Design and Subway Salon in New Jersey and Mario Tricoci Hair Salons in Illinois. Brigette has numerous advanced education certificates, including Vidal Sassoon Advanced Color (London), Vidal Sassoon Classic Cutting (Miami), Color and Cutting with the Aveda Institute (Chicago and Toronto), Wella Education (New York) and Advanced Color for Color Lines for Wella, Aveda and Goldwell. Prior to opening Salon Soca, Brigette was the head of the color department and educator for Mario Tricoci Too (Chicago). As a master colorist, Brigette is a member of the American Board of Certified Colorists and was named colorist of the year in 2001 for Mario Tricoci Too. She works with Salon Training International on a monthly basis for salon business owners.

Michelle Burbatt
Michelle describes her style of salon work as edgy, contemporary and fashion-inspired yet wearable at the same time. It’s no surprise how she developed this unique style judging by the training she’s received from around the continent and in Europe. A graduate of Toni & Guy Academy (Denver), Michelle has also received advanced training from Toni & Guy Academy (London), Vidal Sassoon (Miami) and the Aveda Institute Toronto. As Salon Socca’s cutting educator for salon trainees, Michelle says her dedication to creativity and on-going training make for exciting coloring techniques and sharp haircuts.

Nicole Etkin
Nicole graduated from David Pressley School of Cosmetology (Royal Oak, Mich.). She’s also completed advanced training programs at Peter’s Place for Hair (Birmingham, Mich.), as well as Salon Soca.  Currently, Nicole is taking advanced education classes from the Aveda Institute Chicago. In addition to being a hair stylist and colorist for Salon Soca, Nicole also serves as one of the salon’s makeup artists and makeup coaches. Nicole says she’s passionate in all aspects of what she does for Salon Soca, but her enthusiasm really shines with hair color.

Lauren Kimura
Lauren credits her career as a stylist to two simple factors: creativity and people. After working as an assistant in a salon for five years, she decided to pursue a career in beauty as a stylist. Lauren attended Pivot Point School of Cosmetology. After graduating from school, Lauren continued her education with one and a half years of advanced training from Mekka, in addition to advanced training at the Aveda Institute. Lauren specializes in cutting, coloring, designing and makeup. In describing her passion for her job, Lauren says she loves the creativity and the positive interaction with people. “Being a stylist allows me to express myself freely,” she says, which is evident in her work.

Tara Reilly
A graduate of the Pivot Point School of Cosmetology School (Bloomingdale, Ill.), Tara has traveled all over, continuing her education with Redken classes in Las Vegas, Mexico, Lake Geneva, Ill., as well as her classes at Salon Soca. She’s taken advanced classes in cutting and color at the Aveda Institute Chicago, including the school’s coaching program. From this training, Tara’s continually updating the salon staff about the latest in trends from Aveda. Her six years in the industry has led her to become Salon Soca’s educator in cutting and color for salon assistants. Tara specializes in updos, cutting and coloring. When asked how she feels about her job, Tara enthusiastically says, “I love my job!”

Joe Chlebeck
With four years in the beauty industry, Joe is a strong believer of keeping up with the latest fashion trends. He began his career in Houston, graduating from the Aveda Institute. From there he found his way to Chicago, pursuing advanced training at the Aveda Institute Chicago for cutting and coloring. Joe has also completed Salon Soca’s advanced training program, which is no surprise when listening to him talk about his career. “I’m passionate about continuing my education in hair cutting, coloring and facial waxing,” Joe says.

Mary Messer
With a bachelor of arts in communication from Western Illinois University, Mary may not have started out in the industry, but it didn’t take her long to find her way. A graduate of the Pivot Point School of Cosmetology, she’s been a stylist for two years. Mary began with an internship at the nationally known Marianne Strokirk Salons in Chicago. She continues to expand on her skills and education with the advanced training program for Salon Soca, which she is currently undertaking, as well as classes at the Aveda Institute Chicago.

Stacey Remiker Flesch
Stacey graduated from Western Illinois University with Bachelor's in Fine Art and Arts in Education. After a series of creative careers, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a Hairstylist by going to school at Steven Papageorge's Hair Academy in Andersonville, Chicago. Since graduation from the academy, she has taken advanced classes in cut and color at the Aveda Instituite, Chicago and completed the apprentice training program at Salon Soca. Stacey performs both cut and color services at the salon and loves to give clients their own personal style, whether it be classic or fashion forward.

Emily Bailey
Emily lived in Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science in business from Florida Gulf Coast University. Upon graduating she decided to pursue a path that would allow her to use her artistic abilities. She moved to Chicago to attend the Aveda Institute where she graduated. Emily has always had a passion for beauty and especially focuses on color and cutting. She continues to further her skills through advanced educational classes at the Aveda Institute. Emily enjoys creating new styles that make people look and feel great.

Sara Walker
Sara comes to us from the Northwest Suburbs. She graduated from the Aveda Institute Chicago and has completed Salon Soca's advanced training program. Sara excels in hair color and highlighting, especially blondes. She loves to create fun, edgy haircuts. She is also one of Salon Soca's premiere make up artists having trained with Aveda, Clinique and James Ryder.