Kolor 2 Dye 4 Rocks out for local charities

Hair styling and Rock-N-Roll come together on HWY-41

Marquette, MI – Kolor 2 Dye 4 is the name that owner Rena Yelle and her daughter came up with and is everything that you hope the name leads it to be. The skull and crossbones in the logo are a tribute to the owner’s late father, who passed away last May after nine years of being bedridden, following a motorcycle accident.  I walked in and was greeted Rena in her ‘place,’ and I immediately felt comfortable there.  Lynrd Skynrd, one of my all -time favorite bands was playing on the radio, so that helped, as did the welcoming way in which the owner of this fabulous salon greeted me.

Stylist Dahli Bates colors the hair of Marilyn at the Kolor-2-Dye-4 Hair Salon in Marquette, MI. (marquettemagazine.com photo by Ron Caspi)

“Eclectic diversity” would be the best phrase to describe the atmosphere of this full-service salon.  There are pieces of Harley Davidson memorabilia, pictures of the late Kurt Cobain on the wall, and records & cd’s hanging from the ceiling.  If you want to channel your inner ‘rock star,’ you have come to the right place.  They will treat you like the queen that you are, and provide a professional service at a low rate. “We live in a low income, college town,” says Rena, “we don’t charge triple the going rate.  We guarantee our work and will fix whatever you don’t like, free of charge.”

Kolor 2 Dye 4 carries seven different color lines to date. “Everyone’s hair is not the same, and can be affected by lots of different things, including medications, environmental, and water issues.  We fix a lot of color mistakes,” she adds, “whether we did it or not.”  She says that she and her team of colorists would rather be busy all day doing 10 colors, versus charging upwards of a hundred dollars and tallying every service separately, and servicing less clientele.  “You pay one reasonable rate,” she says, “and that covers everything that comes with the color: the cut, shampoo, and the style.”

Her team is dynamic with six colorists right now, (soon to be seven) and by summer she’ll be fully staffed with 9-10. Rena has over 20 years of experience, with 15 of them in inner-city Pittsburgh. Chellie has 12 years of experience, while Coree and Dahli each have approximately a year and a half. John is a trained barber with over 20 years of experience, and Erica comes in with about 15 years. One thing that’s nice about this staff is they’re not going to fight over you; they share clientele regularly and feel that it’s your job as the client to pick the colorist that’s best for you; no drama, just professional, passionate hairdressing.

Owner of the Kolor-2-Dye-4 salon Rena Yelle puts the finishing touches on the hair of Katie Shaw’s mom aka Cathy. (marquettemagazine.com photo by Ron Caspi)

Rena does not pay herself a wage; she is very involved with community- based charities.  Every Friday the 13^th, for example, 20% of the businesses’ proceeds go to a different charity.  The last one they had, they were able to donate hair services to the area’s homeless community, doing over 30 colors!  The next scheduled “Friday the 13^th” is coming on Friday, June 13^th, and the proceeds will go to the Bay Cliff Health Camp.  Kolor 2 Dye 4 is also known for going into area nursing homes, taking part in the TV6 Can-a-thon and helping the Women’s Center, Adult Learning Systems, Teaching Family Homes and working heavily with the area’s at-risk youth.

Speaking of the youth, Rena’s face lights up just talking about them – “there’s no more roller rink…movie theaters are being closed. What are these area kids supposed to do?” she said.  “Come in and get your favorite color put into your hair-express yourself! Just stay away from drugs & alcohol,” she relays to them. Referring to them as her “K-2 Crew,” (meaning the kids that she works with) they are very close to her heart.  For kids who can’t afford to have their hair colored? Rena doesn’t turn them away…she’ll have them work in trade for her, so that they can afford to get it done!  By passing out haircut cards at school, answering the phone for her, or helping clean the business she makes it a win-win for her “K-2 Crew” and the business.  “It gives these kids a chance.  Too many kids today are put on medications they don’t need, when all they really need is the opportunity to express themselves.”  “I’ve also worked with people who suffer from depression…when all they see is dark,” she explains, “and then they see that funky, purple streak in their hair, and it makes them smile…” she concludes with a smile herself, “Now THAT makes me happy.”

Acrylic nails and shellac are also specialties at Kolor 2 Dye 4…Rena especially likes doing nail art.  “Some of the guys that come in here are in bands, and so they’ll have black nails & I’ll paint flaming guitars on them…they’re pretty cool,” she says.  “I enjoy people that are willing to experiment a little, that’s what it’s all about,” she said.

Kolor 2 Dye 4 is open six days a week, but will stay open later by appointment only. Their current hours are: Monday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.; Fridays:  10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

Chellie from the Kolor-2-Dye-4 hair salon does a french manicure for Heather Wilson. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Something else you should know – a very special event happens on every Friday, and it should be mentioned that no one under the age of 18 is permitted to enter or receive services that day.  “No filter Fridays” have been going on for quite some time at Kolor 2 Dye 4, and I personally cannot wait until I am able to go.  “It’s basically like going into a bar, without the alcohol…it’s definitely an adult situation around the salon on Fridays,” says Rena.  They have established clientele that are welcomed by appointments on those days, yet encourage people to contact them for more information regarding Friday appointments.

Kolor 2 Dye 4 is currently relying on Facebook and word-of-mouth advertising for their business and so far, so good.  “People are really utilizing social media to get a hold of us and in scheduling appointments with us,” said Rena, “so that has been a great outlet for us.”  Hopefully after reading this article, you will also be moved to contact them at (906) 225-0194; they’re located right on Highway US 2 & 41 in the little strip mall in front of the Century 21 building, right next to Rendezvous Tattoo & Body Piercing Studio. Remember to keep supporting this and every other local small business, it is what helps to keep our wonderful community alive.

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by Maggie J Shepeard

Maggie J. Shepeard lives, works and plays in Marquette, Michigan with her husband and four amazing children, ages 10-18. She’s been an avid writer since the moment she first picked up a writing utensil. Non-fiction novels are her specialty, but she can see a storyline in everything and everywhere that she looks. Often working under the pen name, “Kathryn Lee,” she’s had one book published and is under contract to complete two more before year’s end. She’s a full- time student at Northern Michigan University, in Marquette, with a Major in Multimedia Journalism and a Minor in Writing. She’s taken every English and Writing class that she can, but still learns something new with every new subject. Maggie enjoys traveling and camping with her family and looks at everything is life as an adventure. She’s a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan, and she can be found every Sunday (during the season) rooting for her team. Maggie is a “Yooper” all the way, and is originally from Powers, Michigan, although she’s also lived in both Cadillac and Escanaba, Michigan before finding her permanent home on the pristine shores of Lake Superior, right here in Marquette. To see more of Maggie’s work, or to reach her via email, please click the link below.

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