Ann Sanderson of Odango! Salon Cuts Hair for the Way We Live

October 19, 12:54 PMPortland Women's Business ExaminerKristin Schuchman

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We took a few moments to chat with Ann Sanderson, owner of Odango! Salon, located at 5510 SE Woodstock Blvd. in Portland.

1. How long has Odango! been in business?

We just celebrated Odango!'s third anniversary. We have been embraced by the community in ways I had never anticipated. Most of our clients live in Woodstock or nearby. In fact, we see many of our clients walking by our salon on the way down to other businesses on Woodstock.

2. What inspired the name Odango!?

Odango is actually a hairstyle. An odango is a regional Japanese name for a dumpling. Sailor Moon, the Japanese anime character, has two little balls of hair on her head that resemble dumplings. Sometimes these types of characters are called "dumpling heads," which sounds much better in Japanese. Odango! just seemed a fun way to reference hair without being obvious.

3. What sets Odango apart from other salons?

Odango! is different because we focus on our clients as real people. We have toys for your kids if they need to come with you. We are respectful of your teenager's need to feel heard. I am more concerned that you feel good about your hair than doing some precision, high-maintenance cut that shows off my skills but doesn't work for you on a daily basis.

4. Do you have a personal philosophy that you attribute to your approach to styling hair?

For me, it's making sure our clients have hair that works in their lives. If someone is a wash and go type of person, we wouldn't talk them into a high-maintenance style. My current motto for hair is "Cut your hair for the way you live," and I really believe that. We also spend a lot of time educating our clients to get the most out of their styles, not to sell product, but so that they feel confident to do it themselves. It's easy for me to make you look great walking out of the salon, but my success comes from you looking great the next day when you do your own hair.

5. What are some hairstyling trends that you've noticed recently?

Hair is short again. The trend started in the past couple of years and now people are just trying out different styles to see what works best for them. This being Portland, people look at trends but feel comfortable choosing their own style whether or not it's "trendy."

5. I have a friend who considers her haircuts a necessity to her consulting business. She believes she needs to look a certain way in order to make the right impression. Do you have any thoughts on this sentiment?

Our hair is definitely an expression of who we are. You can dress up for a fancy party or run around town in a pair of old jeans, but your hair will tell your true style.

6. If you could pick three words to describe the Woodstock neighborhood, what would they be?

I've lived in the Woodstock neighborhood for 16 years. I've watched it change from an older, sedate neighborhood to a younger, more energetic one. So, I would have to go with: Hip, different, connected.

 Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/mixedmediapdx