The "Hair-itage" of Ottalaus Salon: A Look Back

Brooklynne Gibbons • March 7, 2025

Taking inspiration from her Icelandic heritage, Founder and CEO AnneMarie settled on the name Ottalaus, meaning “fearless”. Because at Ottalaus Salon, we believe real beauty is fearless. 


Annamarie Web

As a hard-working single mother with only $500 to her name, AnneMarie Krainich, Founder of Ottalaus Salon, decided to jump on a unique opportunity to purchase a salon space she had previously worked in. With the love and support of her family and friends, she created a beautiful space where guests can enjoy a luxurious experience.


After spending many late nights in 2017 painting and redesigning the salon, AnneMarie also had to choose the space's name. Drawing inspiration from her Icelandic heritage, she settled on Ottalaus, meaning "fearless." At Ottalaus Salon, we believe real beauty is fearless.


The first Ottalaus Salon was opened in Lehi, Utah, in February 2017. It has been a whirlwind of adventures and growth from that moment forward!

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However, we quickly began to outgrow the space in Lehi, so only a few years later, in March 2021, the second location opened in South Jordan, Utah. This time around, AnneMarie had the opportunity to custom-design the entire space. With her hand-drawn plans, she worked with a trusted architect to create a functional and stunning salon.


One of the driving factors in AnneMarie's decision to open her own salon was the desire to find a place to call home. She wanted to create a space where not only the guests would be comfortable and pampered, but she also wanted her team to feel supported and given several opportunities to grow.


From New York Fashion Week to hosting top educators for classes, Ottalaus Salon has been blessed with incredible opportunities to work with others in our community and industry. 

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We firmly believe that healthy hair starts with your at-home care! With this in mind, we are very careful in choosing which brands we carry and use on our guests. From there, we stock exclusive brands such as Oribe and Kerastase, which are very selective with what salons are endorsed to carry their lines. Ottalaus also carries the Goldwell and KMS brands, which use both quality ingredients while maintaining their affordability. We truly have something for every budget and hair type.


In recent years, AnneMarie has branched into creating an extension line called Ottalaus Hair. These genius wefts are both ethically sourced and have been tested time and time again to ensure the very best quality for our guests! These packets of hair are available for both our stylists and others in the industry to use for their own clients.


Ottalaus Salon currently employs over 50 dedicated individuals, from talented stylists to supportive virtual assistants. We prioritize professional development and fostering a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to grow within their roles, as well as explore additional education.


We also offer an exclusive Apprenticeship, led by licensed instructors who are paired individually with a student to offer one-on-one lectures and hands-on training within our salon. Upon the completion of hours and passing the state board exams, apprentices may have the opportunity to join the Ottalaus Salon team as full-time stylists.

Careers with Ottalaus

Ottalaus Salon has been awarded Top Salon in North America 2022, Top 200 Salon in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, as well as Best of State Utah Hair Salon 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.


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