As CEO of the Julien Farel Group, one of the world’s most elite beauty and wellness businesses, Suelyn Farel runs a demanding business. The company’s main Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa is located in the Loews Regency Hotel in New York City, the hotel where the term “Power Breakfast” was coined. Today Julien Farel’s elegant, 10,000-square-foot salon is where the “Power Hour” happens: a blowout, a manicure and a pedicure. In addition, there are Julien Farel salons in Miami and Cabo San Lucas, and each year, they open a popup location at the US Open where they cut the hair of the world’s best tennis players.
“I THINK WE’RE A SPECIAL BRAND,” SAID SUELYN FAREL. “WE HAVE A FANTASTIC FACE, WITH MY HUSBAND AND WITH HIS NAME (JULIEN FAREL), AND THE BRAND HE FOUNDED IN 2001. ONE OF MY BEST DECISIONS WAS TO COME AND JOIN HIM IN 2007.”
Julien Farel is a handsome Frenchman who styles some of the most powerful heads of hair in the world. He’s also a master of the art and science of hair. Julien’s passion for hair has led to the company’s innovative anti-aging haircare line, Restore. “Restore is a game changer,” said Suelyn. “It cleanses, treats and conditions hair in a single step. We help men and women with their ongoing hair problems.”
“Julien and I both have a really crazy, crazy work ethic. On my office wall is something that says, NRHW: Nothing Replaces Hard Work. I talk to my team a lot about that. While we have a little brand magic, we also keep putting one foot in front of the other, doing it every day. We keep driving and pushing and keep that relentless commitment to what we’re doing.
“Having been a CEO from my late 20s, I’ve always been a girl who goes on her instincts about my decision-making, whether it’s hiring, strategy or brand development. I don’t look right or look left a lot. I’m very much yes, no, works for us, doesn’t, on brand, off- brand, in, out. There’s not a lot of grey area.
“I’m a big believer in a quote from Michael Jordan. ‘Earn your leadership everyday.’ I want to always be the leader who’s alongside and next to, working through what we’re doing and solving the problems. We call my office the ‘war room.’ I like being very involved with those day-to-day decisions, with the growth and making sure my finger’s always on the pulse of our company. For me, that’s critical. I don’t ever see myself being  out of the operation. I love the nuts and bolts, the day-to-day. That’s what really excites me.
“So far Julien and I’ve had a great, fabulous, fun, fast, crazy ride together. Some days we call it “Fun, fast and totally Farel.”