Meet Caroline Guiney | Owner & Stylist at Generation Blonde

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caroline Guiney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caroline, how do you define success?
To me, success isn’t just about accomplishments, it is about resilience, growth, and how you respond when things fall apart. Generation Blonde was originally slated to open in April of 2020. We were just two weeks away from our opening date when the entire world was more or less shut down due to the pandemic. What was supposed to be an exciting, exhilarating time turned into something very different that no one could have prepared me for. It was heartbreaking, but it forced me to dig deeper, get creative, and stay committed to the vision even when the future was uncertain. I’ve learned that what feels like failure in the moment, is a necessary part of building something meaningful. True success is about navigating setbacks, learning from them, and still showing up every day with passion and purpose. Five years later we are still here and thriving!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the founder of Generation Blonde, a salon in Woodland Hills that specializes in blonde hair. For me, it’s not just about color, it is about creating a personalized, elevated experience where people feel confident and completely themselves. I am passionate about giving each client beautiful, healthy hair and a personalized experience that results in head turning color.”

Before opening Generation Blonde, I spent 20 years honing my craft behind the chair. I worked at Butterfly Loft Salon, surrounded by incredibly talented artists who pushed me to grow and refine my technique and ultimately inspired me to open my own salon. I also had the opportunity to work as a brand ambassador for SalonCentric, for 6 years, which connected me with some of the best hairstylists in the industry and gave me a deeper understanding of education, product knowledge, and brand development.

Social media has played a huge role in my journey. It gave me the platform to share my work, connect with clients and fellow stylists, and start building a brand long before I opened my doors. It helped Generation Blonde launch with momentum and intention.

I wouldn’t call any of it easy, but it has definitely been an adventure. There have been moments of doubt and a lot of uncertainty. Through it all, I have held onto the idea that we needed a salon that specifically catered to blondes. I believed in what I was building, and it has definitely paid off. The salon is thriving, and our clients are our biggest fans.

One of the most important parts of that vision was creating a space where women could come in and feel completely comfortable, welcomed, and confident while receiving luxury services in a laid-back environment. I didn’t want it to feel intimidating or overly polished. I wanted it to feel real, elevated, and warm, like a place you look forward to coming back to.

And while we specialize in blondes, we welcome and cater to all hair color types and textures. Our goal is to provide thoughtful, customized services that bring out the best in every individual, no matter their starting point.

I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from showing up, learning through the hard moments, and staying true to what you believe in. Generation Blonde isn’t just a salon, it’s a reflection of passion, resilience, and doing things with heart. We don’t do one size fits all. We take our time, we listen, and we create color that looks and feels amazing. We strive to make all of our clients feel and look their absolute best.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want to show her the perfect mix of cozy, laid back days and a little bit of that LA vibe without feeling rushed. I do love a Disneyland day, so that is a must!

My favorite breakfast spot would either be Blu Jam or Lovis in Calabasas. The crunchy french toast at Blu Jam is to die for, 10/10 recommend.

Since I love being outdoors and animals are a big part of my life, we have a horse, two dogs, and two cats, some days would definitely be spent outside. I’d take my friend for a peaceful trail ride with my horse, there are trails that you can ride to and see Malibu. The Malibu Creek State Park trails are gorgeous and calming, perfect for soaking in nature without leaving LA.

For food, I’d bring them to some of my favorite local spots that feel more like home than tourist traps, places with good vibes and even better food, like Nona in Westlake Village. The best Italian food ever! Also, Anarbaugh, my salon neighbor, has some of the best Indian food in the city.

For the nightlife, I think Local Peasant and Firefly are awesome.

The best part about LA, in my view, is how you can have it all, the city buzz and the peaceful pockets. My week would be about balance, connecting with nature, sharing good food, and making space for those real heartfelt moments. That’s the best time ever in my book.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My biggest shoutout goes to my husband, David Givens, and our three amazing daughters. Their love, support, and patience have gotten me through so much. Starting a business during such an unpredictable time has required a lot of sacrifice, and they have stood by me through all of the ups and downs. It has been a rollercoaster, but they have been unwavering. They’ve kept me grounded and cheered me on every step of the way. I am so incredibly grateful to have them in my corner. I also want to give a special thank you to my best friend, Melanie Prescott. She’s been a constant source of strength, encouragement, and honest advice. Her belief in me has meant the world, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am without her.

Website: https://www.generationblonde.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/generationblonde/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/generationblonde

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/generation-blonde-woodland-hills?osq=Generation+Blonde

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@generationblonde