I have been dressing hair for 20 years. My journey to become a hairstylist started in Czechoslovakia where I was born. While receiving my high school education I studied graphic design and commercial arts for 4 years. Curriculum of this school become a strong foundation of my work today. Science of chemistry helped me to master hair coloring, history of arts become and endless inspiration and the geometry is an essential part of precise haircutting.

After I moved to Florida I graduated Fashion Focus Hair Academy and obtained degree in Cosmetology. At this unique private school I discovered my passion for hairdressing. I gladly accepted an offer to become a personal assistant of Mr. Richard Waintraub owner of the best salon in Sarasota. As his protege I have received training at Bumble and Bumble institute in New York city. I took an advanced classes in French haircutting technique from Frederic Fekkai, Candy Shaw and others. This cutting technique uses hair to frame the face resulting in beautiful, soft, versatile looks.

Eager to master French haircutting I went back to Europe. I become a student at L’Oreal Professional Paris Institute in Prague. Working at one of the downtown hair salon in this Bohemian city was also an amazing experience. After 6 moths I came back to Florida.

Venice is a wonderful town to raise my two children and maintain a healthy lifestyle. For more than 7years I joined a team of stylist in the most popular salon in our area. We were provided with styling classes by Eufora and a color education by Schwarzkopf. Recently I finished 3 months of Cutting Loose’s advanced training academy in Sarasota where I sharpened my skills in recent hair coloring trends including Balayage together with new trends in cutting utilizing French technique.

Surrounded by the best in the our industry including Mrs. Coral Pleas -salon owner, entrepreneur of the year and my mentor I decided to open my own place. At Lenka Hair Salon we take pride and passion in catering to every client. Our interior has chic and elegant atmosphere designed to make you feel great. If you are allergic to average like me you will appreciate and love how we make you feel you will be amazed how we make you look.

Mercedes is considered by many impressed guests to be one of the best stylists in town.

Born and raised in Dominican Republic Mercedes lived in New York City before moving to this paradise.

Mercedes strives to achieve class and enjoys producing work that is sleek, sophisticated, and luxurious. She is an innovative and versatile stylist, whose attention to detail contributes to her skill in creating personalized hair looks that fit her guests.

There is an enormous demand to get to her chair. Mercedes thrives to accommodate each one of her valuable guests, but never compromises the quality of her work. To provide the best guest experience, she teams up with another phenomenal hairstylist, former salon owner from California Oksana. She doesn’t want the commitment of her own clientele anymore and enjoys assisting to one of the best in the industry now.

These two lovely ladies create a beautifying symphony you have never experienced.

Mercedes is a Fashion Focus Academy graduate who completed an extensive apprenticeship at Lenka Hair Salon. She was Lenka’s “right hand” while attending advanced education program in French Hair cutting at Cutting Loose Salon in Sarasota years ago. She had the privilege to get certified with the famous Martin Parsons in up-styling and long hair design. Her commitment to constantly grow makes her venture outside of Florida to learn more and bring the latest to our sunny paradise. Lenka hair salon provided her with the classes in Jamison Shaw hairdressers salon in Atlanta. She was coached personally by Mrs. Candy Shaw and her team in precise French cutting as well as Balayage. Using this French, freehand technique she creates natural-looking, sun-kissed color that looks, as Mercedes says, “like you’ve spent a summer at the beach, not three hours in the salon.”

Keeping in mind that hair color should make an individual look, she strives to inspire confidence in every client. She is a genius when it comes to hair coloring. Her gifts are in an individually customized tones, and deliberate placement of contrast. You can trust this lovely, elegant lady with color correction, growing out gray transformation as well as amazing vibrant reds and perfect blonds. However, if there is something unachievable, compromising or simply not right for you she will make a better suggestion you can trust.

Mercedes has an eye for selecting haircut shapes that compliments her clients’ facial features and lifestyle. She is known for designs that range from edgy to clean cut. Her women’s short haircuts are modern and youthful, and her long-layered cuts grow out beautifully, maintaining lasting shape. If you think nobody can cut your hair right in this town book with Mercedes, she is worth of waiting for.

I know it’s almost hard to believe that stylist like this even exists. I as an owner am extremely proud to have this exceptional bilingual professional on my team.

Let me finish her bio with her own words:

“I feel that consultation and understanding what my guest desires is a key to a great style. I pride myself in listening and communicating with each guest to achieve their needs and hair goals. I am never too busy to insist on consultation every time you come to my chair. I am looking forward to seeing you at Lenka Hair Salon”.

Olga was born in Russia just 60 miles from Moscow. She developed an interest in cosmetology as a young girl, but a college degree was necessary in post communist Europe. She graduated from Moscow engineering institute as an honored student.

Soon after earning her degree she realized that her true passion is to work in a more creative setting and to help people look their best.

Olga finished cosmetology school in Moscow in 2001 and gained experience while working in several upscale salons in Russia.

Olga’s dream was to live near the beach. In 2013, she relocated with her family to sunny Florida. She studied English language at the State College of Florida. She then completed a cosmetology program at Charlotte Technical College in 2016.

This talented stylist joined our team in 2017. Olga is certified in Brazilian blowout, and also certified in Candy Shaw – Master Balayage class. Olga worked with Redken, Goldwell, JKS, Schwartzkopf, L’Oréal and Wella color.

With nearly 15 years of experience in the industry and international training Olga loves to match the perfect hairstyle to each guest. She believes in tailoring each look to custom fit a person’s individual needs. In her opinion best work is inspired by her client’s personal style. Olga is an expert in classic cutting utilizing the French technique. She is a true master when it comes to haircutting. There isn’t a hairstyle she can’t duplicate unless it’s not right for you. You can trust Olga’s expert opinion.

When it comes to color Olga has a skilled eye for color matching. She has mastered American and French balayage, as well as numerous techniques of blonding with foils. You can trust this Olga with the process of growing out your gray the most seamless way possible. Her expertise can be seen in the final look, which is always presented effortless, beautiful, and glossy.

Olga is known for her men’s cuts that range from edgy to clean cut. Her expertise is gentlemen coloring, including natural looking highlights or soft balayage to enhance youthful appearance of sun-kissed hair. Let her blend your gray sparkles without anyone noticing that you color your hair -no line of demarcation ever.

Permanent waving is one of this stylists’ techniques to add body and volume after prior consultation, consisting of hair diagnosis. Sometimes Olga perms her gentlemen guests as well to enhance the density and thickness of their hair.

In order to provide the best guest experience, she often teams up with another phenomenal hairstylist, former salon owner from California Oksana, who doesn’t want the commitment of her own clientele anymore and enjoys assisting to one of the best in the industry now.

Deborah is a top stylist in our area. With over 30 years behind the chair and a former salon owner. Moving to Venice from PA., NJ. area, bringing her passion for hair, nature and life.

Perfecting cutting and color skills by attending yearly workshops and conventions with the best Artists of our industry. Along with years in the business she is able to adapt new concepts to accomplish goals of each client.

She is a master with a pair of scissors, meticulous and precious, focused on every detail. Sessions in her chair are an experience of calmness, where you will never feel rushed.

A friendly approach will set you at ease and ready to face the new you.

Deborah enjoys cutting curly hair as well.as all textures. She loves working with the hairgrowths and curl patterns to create a natural but sophisticated look, taking in consideration lifestyle along with manageability and current trends.

Deborah is starving to bring out the best in all her clients. Creating an effortless and fresh color story with the belief that “one service doesn’t fit all”. She firmly believes that hair color should be a collaboration between artist and client, and therefore an authentic extension, and expression, of an individual’s style. Her interest in people and the different ways they express themselves is always at the forefront of her creative process.

And this is what she would say:

There is no stylist like Ms. Ali!!! She is an incredible, multitalented artist. Her unique, charming personality, sense of humor, compassion for people and animals completed with the most beautiful smile will impress you the moment you meet.

Ali was born in New Jersey but has lived in Venice for years. She believes in being a well-rounded stylist and is always learning new techniques. She has attended advanced cuttings classes at Jamison Shaw Hairdressers in Atlanta where she got certified in French haircutting technique. Ali is a certified Balayage expert and certified in Brazilian Blowout as well as Keratin. She has been trained by Goldwell, Wella and Redken top colorists in the country.

This lovely young stylist has an instinctive ability to enhance her client’s natural beauty.

From long effortless layers, shags & mullets, to short pixies, there is no cut she can’t do unless you don’t have the hair for it.

From graduated, blunt, layered to classic, her bobs are out of this world! Although most of the time she shapes your hair wet first, sometimes especially with curly texture she chooses to cut dry only. Yes she is well known for cutting curly hair. Ali always finishes with dry texturing techniques to customize and detail her precise shapes.

Her cutting specialties include classic gentleman’s cuts, masculine clipper cutting, fades, and rock star long man’s shapes as well. Ali blends timeless looks with raw and contemporary styles. Drawing inspiration from fashion, music, and art, each cut is tailored to her client’s personality and lifestyle.

Ali has an eye for determining which color will best ‘light up’ each client’s skin tone and eye color, with her signature soft lines and unparalleled dimension.

Her coloring expertise feature fantasy color, bleach & tones, lived-in highlighting services such as Foilyage & Balayage, root melts, and natural subtle, settled designs as well. Ali is master when it comes to reds. She is known for using the latest techniques and trends to create a custom experience for every client.

Ali’s compassion paired with her creative eye for structure, shape, and color makes her a well-rounded and invaluable stylist.

Mariah was born and raised in Florida so she knows how to keep your hair looking great in this hot, humid environment.

She developed an obsession for hair at an early age that has led her to this fun, exciting and fulfilling career. She has gathered knowledge and experience as Lenka’s personal assistant- protege and later her colorist. The pivotal moment of her career was three days long hands on intensive cutting class in Atlanta with internationally recognized educator Candy Shaw and her team at Jamison Shaw hairdressers salon.

Mariah mastered advanced French haircutting training and is certified in this precise method of shaping hair. She developed an eye for cuts that are unique to each client. She gives attention to different textures, densities and patterns on the scalp to make sure the haircut feels balanced. She takes great pride in the ability to create customized looks that

enhance the unique features and personality of everyone that sits in her chair.

Mariah utilizes a wide range of color applications, highlighting as well as balayage techniques and fantasy colors. As an experienced colorist, we recommend her even for difficult color corrections including repairing damaged hair.

After choosing an untraditional high school path at vocational cosmetology program Kipten bravely relocated himself from Vermilion, Ohio to Venice, Florida.

Kipten joined our team in Jun 2019 as a junior stylist and retrained under the careful eye of Lenka herself to learn her signature techniques and received extensive French haircutting training. His incredible talent and phenomenal sense for detail promoted him very soon into the position of Lenka’s personal colorist. Working with a clientele with the highest expectation he had to deliver the best quality of services.

Kipten uses exclusively only French haircutting technique; he mastered French and American Balayage while still bringing that natural affinity for men’s styles to the salon. Kipten as a winner of 2 barbering competition still enjoys gentlemen grooming and cuts.

While working on our team he enjoys teaching young cosmetology students in local schools. Kipten constantly educates himself at hair shows also takes classes with Goldwell color experts. The biggest impact on his career was three days long hands on intensive French cutting class in Atlanta with internationally recognized educator Candy Shaw and her team at Jamison Shaw hairdresser’s salon.

This young gentleman works with Goldwell, JKS, Redken SEQ and Brazilian Blowout and Keratin. His specialty is dry cutting, wig cutting and styling as well as gentleman’s grooming,

perming and coloring.

Kipten is very empathetic, his ability to get into clients’ mind helps him to understand their vision, hair goals and limitations. He is very visual and loves working with pictures to ensure him and his guest is on the “same page” after thorough consultation.

Hello World,

My name is Jada. I’m from this beautiful paradise we call Venice, Florida. Shortly after high school I obtained my license in cosmetology. After several interviews in all of the best salons in the area I decided to join this amazing salon. I’ve worked at Lenka hair salon as a Protege first, later I became Lenka’s colorist. I was fortunate to have Lenka teach me one-on-one the fundamentals of French Haircutting.

I mastered the advanced French haircutting class at Jamison Shaw hairdresser salon in Atlanta. I am certified in Brazilian blowout, and I am also certified in Candy Shaw – Master Balayage class. I have worked with Redken, Goldwell, JKS and Schwartzkopf.

I like to start our relationship with very personalized consultation (never rushed) going through images to be sure we are “speaking the same language”.  After Consulting I define the structure of the haircut while wet, finishing the cut after the blowdry with tons of personalized detailing. I like to liberate my guests by giving effortless structured haircuts that work with natural flow of hair. I enjoy cutting pixies, short, long hair and bobs as well. I am very passionate about curly hair. I want to give you the knowledge on all the products that will work best for you in this humid Florida weather.

I specialize in Blonding! From different techniques like highlights, babylights, teaselights and Balayage to color corrections, I am ready to take on your color needs to create a transformational look! How ever I am very experienced in helping guests to embrace their gray as well and transform them from colored to natural.

Kate was born in Tazhkent, Uzbekistan but raised in Sacramento, California since age five.

She always knew she wanted to be a hairstylist. She found love at early age, got married and has 3 fantastic kids. Kate is fluent in Russian and can speak with Ukrainian guests as well. You wouldn’t even guess it because her English is perfect.

She moved to Florida in 2020 to start a new life and build a career as a professional stylist to proceed her childhood dream. Kate went through several salons in the area where she got familiar with Schwartzkopf, Redken, Matrix, Kenra, JKS and GOLDWEL color lines. Kate got certified in Balayage by taking hands on class with master Balayage artist Candy Shaw. Avenue hair salon introduced her to DevaCurl products as well as special cutting technique for curly hair.

Kate found our salon as a right fit for her and started as an apprentice under the owner and master stylist LENKA.

Kate has an eye for perfecting your customized look and believes a solid consultation is an important factor for successful results.

Her favorite cuts are long and flowing layers, shags, mullets, and anything in between that focuses on movement and texture. She works by the philosophy that a good haircut instills power in its wearer and can’t wait to collaborate and create that shape for you.

She is driven and ambitious with a passion for coloring and especially highlighting!

I love everything hair related and after 39 years ,in the best industry lin the world, I am still passionate about it. Education , with some of the best in my industry ,has fueled my passion throughout the years.

I’ve worked behind the chair in my own salons , not only to make my clients feel and look their best but to inspire other stylist as well. I have cherished the trust placed with me. I also have had the privilege to be an educator for several hair color and product manufacturers in the US and Canada.

After enjoying a successful nearly four decades long career in the coastal Carolina’s area, I relocated to Florida to retire. However the love I have for hairdressing continued to call me. I was fortunate enough to join the team at Lenka Hair Salon after deciding I still needed to be a part, of the industry I love . I couldn’t have been more fortunate to find a salon full of like minded professionals to be a part of. Supporting the staff and inspiring them ,as well as elevating the client experience, is a great opportunity for me to continue this next chapter of my career.

I truly believe in this quote by Dr. Lew Losoncy – “I am a hairdresser-I psychologically and cosmetically change the destinies and images of fellow human beings!”

Educators –

• • Matrix Essentials- educational training advisor
  • Whitesands Haircare – educational team
  • Oligo Professionnel – educational team
  • Classes and certifications
  • Misael Aponte- international color director-Oligo Professional-The Art of Color 1&2 – certification
  • Jerry Chang- photographic styling
  • Wallid Fehme- Dry cutting
  • Genevieve Grenier- cutting
  • Lisa Hartman- Lisa loves Balayage
  • Arnie and Sydell Miller- founders if Matrix Essentials-hair cutting/coloring / permanent waving / skincare/ makeup
  • Vivianne Mackender- haircutting/formal styling
  • Nicolas French – print work styling/avant-garde
  • Dr Lew Losoncy -salon psychology
  • Fernando Salas- haircutting/television and avant-garde styling
  • Joe Santy- permanent waving
  • Mags Kavanaugh- haircutting/coloring/formal styling/chemical theory
  • Keya Neal- Texture vs Race founder- hair coloring
  • Sam Villa- Redken Artistic Director- hair cutting/ coloring/styling
  • John Paul Mitchell- haircutting/ coloring
  • Hiroshi of Beverly Hills- Japanese haircutting
  • Phillip Wilson- Wilson Collective founder- haircutting
  • Geno Stampora- salon management/ psychology
  • Luis Alvarez- Aquage founder- formal styling
  • Martin Parsons- Formal styling /cutting
  • Robert Cromeans- Hair cutting /coloring
  • Nick Arrojo- What Not to Wee stylist- razor cutting
  • Beth Minardi- hair coloring
  • Farouk Shami- Hair coloring
  • Leo Passage- Haircutting
  • Tabitha Coffey- Salon management- cutting
  • Ted Gibson- What not to Wear Stylist- cutting/coloring
  • Dixie Pelfrey-J Beverly Hills CEO, one on one, salon management, color/cutting
  • Rico and Tony Altieri- haircutting
  • George Alderete- Keune artistic Director- coloring
  • David Valasco-Haircolor Mastery
  • Candy Shaw-Sunlights Balayage
  • Mary Rector-Gable- Behind the Chair, Founder-coloringcutting
  • Barbicide certification- sanitation/sterilization
  • Babe hair extensions- certification
  • Hotheads hair extensions- certification
  • Brazilian Blowout – certification
  • Keratin – founder, Kenneth Copeland- certification

Four years ago, I traded snowmen for sandcastles when I relocated from Connecticut.

I have been immersed in the beauty world and various artistic mediums most of my life. I enjoy and respect all types of art.

Before becoming a proud momma of two beautiful and amazing children, now 12 and 10 years old; I was in the financial world for 14 years. I managed, audited, and helped customers with all their financial needs; from everyday banking, lending, investing, and life insurance needs.

Returning back into the work world, I was an office manager for a highly reputable farm, covering thousands of acres across 7 towns.

Having to take orders from customers, working side by side with the CPA, being responsible for State and Government audits, payroll and invoices helped me to understand the local, small business verses the corporate universe I was used to.

Throughout my professional experiences, I have truly enjoyed connecting with employees and customers. I take pride in learning people and their needs. This has been a strength to help new clients find and match them with stylists. It gives me much pleasure to help each client to make their reservations coordinated with their schedule. To see each and every client content from the time they walk in until they leave, beautifully transformed. Making each client’s salon experience the best is my goal.

Hi I’m Carolyn,

I am currently the Salon Coordinator here at Lenka Hair Salon.

A recent transplant from New Hampshire, I moved to Port Charlotte with my husband in April 2021. I have been an administrative assistant for a manufacturing company in NH for 7 years and front desk associate for a lake resort for 7 years. My passion is theater both on and off stage.

I enjoy it here at Lenka Hair Salon and enjoy being part of this amazing “FAMILY”

I hope to bring a smile to all our clients’ faces as soon as they walk through our door and leave a lasting impression with you all! I am dedicated to making our clients get the appointment times they are wanting and working with you one on one to make your experience at Lenka Hair Salon enjoyable.