Malstrom Salon
Address: 535 South 700 East
Telephone: 801-537-5313
Website: malstromsalon.com
District: Liberty Wells
From the color to the shampooing, to the cut and blow-dry, my experience at Malstrom Salon was superb. I only wished I could have frozen my hair after leaving. It was absolutely perfect. In chatting with my stylist, Emily Jones, I learned that she has been working at the salon for fifteen years - since she was a very young woman. After completing the beauty program at Paul Mitchell, Emily began sharing her resume with different salons around Salt Lake City. Upon entering Malstrom, she met Chris, the owner, and her career took off.
I asked when she knew this was the path she wanted to take, Emily smiled and said, “Since I began doing Barbie and my other doll’s hair as a little girl.” She then shared that she was always the one who got in trouble in school for talking too much. “It made sense that I would transition this energy to working in a salon.” Her favorite part of the job is the ability to connect with people. “I have made so many friends over the years. I love hearing their stories and sharing mine.” Laughing, Emily added, “I get to talk all day.”
In speaking with a few others who work at Malstrom, I learned that Emily’s fifteen-year career is not even the longest. Two others have been at the salon for over eighteen years. What a marvelous tribute to Tricia and Chris Malstrom. I now needed to hear the full story from the owners behind this warm and welcoming salon.
“Our goal was to create something where we would want to work together,” Chris and Tricia Malstrom, the dynamic duo behind Malstrom Salon, stated. There is no doubt that they have succeeded in creating a haven for their clients, blending artistry and dedication. Their journey together began as teenagers when they met on the back steps of Jordan High School in the late 1980s. Their bond, forged in those early years, has only grown stronger over the decades, both personally and professionally.
Chris and Tricia’s journey to opening their own salon was rooted in their shared passion for creativity and entrepreneurship. After graduating high school, Chris pursued his passion for hair by enrolling in beauty school, influenced by a friend whose father owned the school. Tricia, on the other hand, initially pursued a different path. She enrolled in college as an art major and dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. She even considered attending a design school in New York, but the logistics seemed daunting, especially since she did not want to leave Chris behind. It was her mother who first suggested hair school, and although Tricia was hesitant - worried about stepping on Chris’s toes - she eventually realized it could be the perfect blend of her artistic talents and practical ambitions.
As they began to think seriously about their future together, the idea of opening their own salon took root. Chris, who had always dreamed of owning his own business, encouraged Tricia to join him in the venture. This shared vision of owning a salon became the foundation of their partnership, both in life and in business. Tricia joined Chris, and the two worked side by side, honing their skills and building their clientele in various salons. Their idea of owning their own salon began to take shape as they realized they wanted more control over their work environment and the opportunity to create a space that reflected their values.
In 1998, after years of gaining experience, Chris and Tricia opened Malstrom Salon. The decision to open was solidified after an earlier opportunity to buy an existing salon fell through. That led them to their current location, a space they immediately knew was perfect for their vision. With its large windows and inviting atmosphere, the salon quickly became a place where both clients and stylists felt at home.
The early years were a whirlwind of hard work and dedication. Chris and Tricia were at the salon from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day, balancing their growing business with the responsibilities of raising a family. They welcomed their first child in 2000, followed by two more in 2002 and 2006. As their family grew, they adapted their schedules, alternating shifts to ensure one of them was always with their children.
As they were building their salon and family, Chris decided to finish his college degree - something he had put on hold while working. He enrolled in an online business program through the University of Phoenix, spending a few hours a week studying until he completed his degree at age thirty-eight. This was not just to enhance his skills as a business owner, but also to set an example for his children. “I wanted to show my kids that when you start something, you finish it.” This determination and commitment to growth have been central to the success of Malstrom Salon.
Over time, Chris and Tricia realized the importance of flexibility, not just for themselves but also for their team. They created a supportive, team-oriented environment where their stylists could thrive. Recognizing that life happens - whether it is a stylist having a baby or needing to work part-time - Chris and Tricia prioritized providing a work culture that accommodates the personal lives of their staff. This approach has fostered long-term relationships, both with their team and their clients. "Since we kind of turned that corner of just listening to ourselves and maybe kind of going with the flow, we've been a lot happier."
Chris and Tricia are driven by their passion for their craft and their desire to provide not just a service, but an experience. Their clients keep them inspired, and the friendships formed over the years are what make their work so fulfilling. “We have more clients than ever who have been with us for decades.”
