How It Started.
Shade Salon didn't start as a business plan. It started as a choice.
​
For years, Curtis split his life between Regina and Vancouver, two weeks here, two weeks there, trying to keep a salon running in Saskatchewan while building a future on the coast. The constant flights and long stretches apart were wearing on him and his relationship. So, together, Curtis and his partner, Brent, made the call: close the distance, sell the Regina salon, and open a new home base in Vancouver. Hard? Absolutely. Right for their life and future? Without question. That's how Shade Salon was born.
Meet The Founders
Curtis Medernach
Creative Lead/ Founder
With 20+ years behind the chair and a former salon owner in Regina, Curtis brings deep technical skill and a clear artistic point of view. He's a proud Métis and gay business owner, and he builds styles the same way he's built his career—thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with an eye for what feels authentically you.
Brent Price
Business Operations/Founder
Brent's the steady hand on the business side. He's opened and run multiple ventures, including Hustle, a neighborhood group training gym that's been thriving just down the street for seven years. From lease lines to build-outs, Brent knows how to turn a vision into a welcoming, well-run space.
Built on Community That Came Together
Shade wasn’t assembled from résumés, it grew from relationships: many of our stylists are longtime friends of Curtis and Brent, and that “chosen family” energy shapes everything here, inclusive service, honest consultation, and a salon vibe where you already belong. We chose Mount Pleasant because it reflects our values, creative, inclusive, and proudly local, and Shade aims to be part of the neighborhood fabric, not just another storefront; we’re always meeting stylists who share our standards and spirit, so if you’re a kind human with strong skills and a point of view
OUR MISSION
We exist to put people first, delivering honest, inclusive, high‑quality hair services while growing our team, caring for hair health, and nurturing a welcoming Mount Pleasant community, so every guest and stylist leaves feeling seen, confident, and at home.
People First, Always
We design every decision around humans, not spreadsheets. That means listen-first consultations, consent-based services, a zero-judgment atmosphere, and a psychologically safe workplace with fair scheduling and clear communication.
Craft with Care
Technique matters, but so does hair health and honesty. We personalize maintenance plans, set transparent expectations on cost and upkeep, and recommend only what serves you long-term.
Radical Inclusion
All genders, identities, textures, and abilities are welcome. Our service menu and experience are built to be inclusive and respectful, with privacy and sensory-friendly options available on request.