Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Kraft.
Hi Caroline, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got my start in the beauty industry while I was still in high school. My first job was sweeping hair at a local salon. My mom had to drop me off and pick me up because I didn’t have a driver’s license yet and I could only work limited hours because of state labor laws. I guess you could say I was motivated from a young age. I come from a blue-collar family where working hard was just the norm, no free rides.
I always loved going to the salon with my mom and without realizing it at the time, I was really inspired by the women who worked there. I loved how they expressed themselves through their hair, clothes and personal style. It felt creative and free and I remember thinking this could be a good fit for me. What I quickly learned, though, is that while individuality is encouraged in salon culture, you also have to work extremely hard to be successful. Seeing that firsthand made a big impression on me. I admired how the stylists had their own apartments, cars, “stuff”… To a 16-year-old, that was pretty shiny and exciting.
After I graduated high school, I went straight to cosmetology school at the Paul Mitchell School in Atlanta. It was new, edgy and I absolutely loved being there. For the first time, I really felt like I fit in. I wanted to be in a city and feel free to be myself. After graduating, I got a job at a salon in Atlanta, Maria Heckscher, the level of expertise there was something I had never experienced before. The stylists were operating on a completely different level. but more than that, they taught me what it really takes to build a life and a career. Being in that environment shaped me in a big way. I worked there for a long time before eventually moving to Nashville.
When I moved to Nashville, I worked under a longtime friend and mentor who was a great inspiration. Over time, I reached a point where the only next step felt like branching out on my own. I had always wanted to own my own business. I knew doing hair was the easy part, but I felt like I had spent enough time in salons to understand how things worked behind the scenes and trusted myself to figure out the rest.
That energy is how Golden Hour was born. Sometimes I laugh at how naive and blindly optimistic I was opening a business with zero formal business experience or degree, but I’ve always learned best through real life experience, so in that way it was very on brand for me. Over the last seven years, I’ve been fortunate enough to navigate the ups and downs, including making it through the pandemic, which was huge and staying open to growth and evolution along the way.
I started the shop with a business partner and eventually took over on my own. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the growth and success of the salon. We’ve been so supported by the neighborhood and have built an amazing community of loyal clients. I can wholeheartedly say Golden Hour is the best it’s ever been. The staff is incredible, with a perfect mix of talent and individuality. I feel very lucky that things have worked out the way they have and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m excited to see how we continue to grow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d say, all things considered, yes. Like many other business owners, I had to navigate COVID, which was a shared and defining experience for all of us. There have definitely been a few unexpected challenges and surprises along the way, but nothing that I couldn’t get back up from. Every hurdle has been a learning experience and each one helped shape the business into what it is today.
We’ve been impressed with Golden Hour Salon , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re a hair salon at our core, but what really defines us is how warm and inclusive the space feels. One of the compliments I hear most often is how comfortable people feel the moment they walk in and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. I’ve been very intentional about creating a culture where everyone feels like they belong and can truly be themselves.
We offer a luxury experience without the attitude. I want our clients to feel taken care of and elevated, but never intimidated or talked down to. That balance is really important to me and is something I believe sets us apart.
We’re also deeply committed to using low-tox products. It’s something I genuinely believe in and feel strongly about. We use a hair color line called Original & Mineral, along with Aveda styling products and a carefully curated selection of other brands. For me, this is about protecting both our clients and our staff. Daily exposure to harsh chemicals can lead to long-term health issues for stylists and for clients, low-tox options are simply better for their hair, skin and overall well-being.
On a larger scale, this is also how I try to do my part environmentally. While I know my impact is small on its own, supporting brands that prioritize sustainability and cleaner formulations feels like a scalable and meaningful way to contribute. Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve built something thoughtful, intentional, and people-centered.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We’re always excited to connect with new people, whether that’s clients or potential team members. If you or someone you know feels aligned with our values send them our way.
Appointments can be booked online through our website, making it easy to find a time that works for you.
At the end of the day, Golden Hour is about more than hair. It’s about creating a space that feels grounded, welcoming, and intentional. I’m incredibly grateful for the community that’s grown around the salon and for everyone who has been part of the journey so far. I’m looking forward to what’s next and continuing to evolve in a way that stays true to who we are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegoldenhoursalon.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoldenhoursalon
