COURTNEY IRWIN
Location: Knoxville, TN
Title: Graduate | Salon Owner
Stylez by Coco Instagram | Salon Wildflower Instagram
Courtney Irwin, a proud graduate of the Douglas J Institute in Knoxville, is now the co-owner of Salon Wildflower alongside Kelly Goodman. Nestled in West Knoxville, Salon Wildflower is more than a salon—it’s a space built on empowerment, authenticity, love, and relentless support. Courtney believes the great hair is just a bonus!
After graduating, she began her career through an apprenticeship at Alchemy Salon. She worked her way through their level system before taking a leap to co-found her own business. One of her proudest accomplishments is creating a space with Kelly where people come to laugh and leave feeling their most beautiful selves.
A recent expansion of Salon Wildflower marked a career milestone. It allowed them to grow their team by welcoming incredible women who align with their values. Courtney credits their authenticity, diversity, and commitment to high-quality service (plus a few good laughs) as their salon’s “superpower.”
Reflecting on her time at Douglas J, Courtney is grateful for the instructors and staff who believed in her, even during moments when she struggled to believe in herself. Their unwavering support helped shape her journey and gave her the confidence to succeed.
One of her favorite takeaways from the program was learning how to run her chair like a business. That knowledge set her up for long-term success and gave her an edge when stepping into the professional world.
Her advice to future beauty professionals? Give yourself grace. There’s always more to learn—and that’s the most beautiful part. The journey of growth never ends.
“If you feel called to be creative, help others feel confident, and make the world more beautiful—answer that call. Douglas J is a great place to begin.”
