Kathleen Turpel has been a client of Paris Parker since it opened in New Orleans in 1999. She found her hairdresser the way most of people do: a friend recommended her.
In 1992, a friend recommended that Kathleen go see Heidi Downum-Fisher, and little did she know that this random connection would be life-changing for her.
“When I first went to see Heidi I was struck by how cool she was,” explains Kathleen. “She had platinum blonde, ultra short hair with flawless makeup. And she was also dating the handsome lead guitarist and singer of a local rock band. Cool is an understatement. It was also the first time I had ever gone to a hairstylist that specialized—Heidi only did color. During my first appointment, Heidi asked a lot of questions and listened intently. I felt totally cared for.”
Kathleen, second from right, shortly after she started visiting Paris Parker. (Also shown, her fellow NOLA “It-Girl” Gambit ad reps, from the early 1990s.) | Source: Kathleen Turpel
Kathleen had had bad experiences with color in the past—from self-inflicted incidences with Sun In to brassy renditions of blonde bombshell. But when she left the salon that day after her first appointment with Heidi, she walked out with the natural looking highlights from her childhood. She was hooked, and vowed to never go to another hairdresser again.
Imaginal Marketing, owned by Kathleen (sitting, second from right), has kind of gotten into this whole beauty industry thing. | Source: Kathleen Turpel
“One day, at an appointment, Heidi told me about team training she had been to that was hosted by Neill Corporation, the Aveda distributor in Hammond. I could tell this was a moment of awakening for her. She sat down next to me while my hair was processing and told me about the trust exercises, rope courses, environmental practices, and wellness activities. We were both mesmerized by all these new concepts. (And remember, this was quite unusual in the 90s before being ecofriendly, doing yoga, and having green smoothies were mainstream.) It was a significant moment,” said Kathleen. Eventually, Heidi went on to work for Neill at their newly opened New Orleans salon on Prytania.
“Years later, on New Year’s Eve in 2000, I was in Paris getting ready to celebrate the New Year. I was having a reflective moment, which I now view as my first annual mid-life crisis. I had been at my same job for nearly 20 years and it was really the only professional job I had ever had…and I wondered if there was anything else to life for me? And there on the balcony…overlooking La Madeleine, watching snow falling on the Parisian rooftops…just before midnight…the answer to that question came to me—‘Go talk to Heidi about Neill Corporation.’ So when divine inspiration strikes, you must obey,” said Kathleen.
Long story short—Heidi connected Kathleen to Debra and Edwin Neill II, the owners of Neill Corporation. By August, Kathleen was working with Neill as their director of marketing.
“I really do not have time and space here to describe how amazing Neill Corporation is and the many ways they introduced me to mindful, innovative thinking—and most importantly, how they openly embraced “love” as part of the world of business.”
In 2002, Neill Corporation celebrated its women leaders with this tribute ad, produced by Kathleen’s marketing department. (She is shown bottom left). | Source: Kathleen Turpel
In 2005, Neill Corporation helped fulfill Kathleen’s lifelong dream of owning her own company. When she opened Imaginal Marketing Group, Neill Corporation was her first (and remains her biggest) client. Imaginal also works with Aveda Corporation and salons nationwide.
“It’s like a movie. I am grateful every day,” added Kathleen.
“Work hard, play hard,” one of Kathleen’s favorite mantras, is also a battlecry for her team at Imaginal Marketing. (She’s the one wearing the sunglasses, and no, it’s not due to the champagne). | Source: Kathleen Turpel
Ironically, working for Neill led to Kathleen “breaking up” with Heidi, as they always seemed to find themselves on opposite shores of the lake. However, Heidi introduced Kathleen to Chrissie Gilberti, who has been Kathleen’s colorist for the past 10 years.
“Chrissie has ushered me into my 50s without letting me get boring. Over the years I have had color blocked hair (large sections of black with blonde), lavender and silver highlights, and currently Chrissie has been Eclipting my color, a new Aveda technique that frames the face with color contouring.”
“Chrissie does my color and Courtney Bradberry cuts my hair. When I go for a hair appointment, it’s not just about hair. We talk about ideas and what clients value and want. I have to say—some of the most important marketing insights that I have learned have come from conversations with these two Paris Parker artists. They are quite frankly some of the best in the world.”
We have to say that we agree.
Today, Kathleen teaches social media and marketing to salon owners nationwide for Aveda. | Source: Kathleen Turpel
