More Than Hair: How Cosmotique Salon & Spa Built a Legacy on Kindness 

What does it really mean to feel beautiful? For Michelle Simpson and Keeshan Capps, co-owners of Cosmotique Salon & Spa in Richmond, Indiana, the answer has never been about a perfect blowout or the latest color trend. It's about something far more enduring: making every single person who walks through their door feel seen, valued, and loved. 

That philosophy has powered Cosmotique for 27 years and counting, transforming a small-town salon into a cornerstone of the Richmond community. 

From Family Business to Shared Vision 

Cosmotique's story begins in 1999, when Michelle's mother opened the doors of what would become a beloved local institution. Michelle worked alongside her for over a decade, learning the craft and absorbing the values that would shape her own leadership style. In 2012, she stepped into co-ownership alongside Keeshan Capps, a partnership that would carry the salon into its next chapter. 

"I never really set out to become a business owner," Michelle reflects. "27 years ago, with my mom, it just happened—and over the years, it grew into something my current business partner and I are incredibly grateful for." 

Today, Cosmotique operates as a full-service Aveda concept salon at 201 S 5th St, offering custom organic coloring, technical hair design, facials, body waxing, and specialized hair treatments. But ask Michelle and Keeshan what they're really selling, and the answer isn't a service menu—it's an experience. 

Beauty, Redefined 

In an industry often obsessed with aesthetics, Michelle and Keeshan have built their business around a different kind of transformation. 

"To us, beauty is deeper than the way someone looks when they leave," they explain. "We get to provide a safe space for them to feel welcomed, loved, and accepted. Our goal is for every person who enters Cosmotique to leave feeling better than when they came in." 

It's a philosophy that echoes their favorite quote, from Maya Angelou: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

That sentiment isn't just framed on a wall somewhere. It shows up in the small, human moments that happen in salon chairs every day. 

• A kind word exchanged during a color consultation 

• A genuine smile at check-in 

• A stylist who remembers details about a client's life, not just their last appointment 

"In a world where kindness and personal connection can sometimes feel like they're missing," Michelle and Keeshan note, "we believe that the 'small' things matter." 

Leading Without an Ego 

Ask Michelle and Keeshan to describe their leadership style, and they'll likely laugh before answering. "We always say, 'I just work here,' jokingly, because we don't know everything," they admit. "We work as a team. We are here to handle the logistics, but mainly to encourage and come alongside our team." 

That collaborative spirit, over competitive instinct, defines Cosmotique's culture. The salon's stylists, many of whom have worked together for years, describe themselves as family rather than coworkers. 

"There is no backbiting or competition among us," Michelle and Keeshan say. "We support one another, and we know our clients feel that when they walk through our door." 

This team-first mentality extends to how the salon approaches new talent. Rather than guarding their expertise, Michelle and Keeshan actively mentor young stylists, passing down decades of combined skill and wisdom. 

"We have lots of years of talent and wisdom in our salon and spa, and everyone is willing to share that with the team," they say. 

The Resilience Behind the Chair 

Building a business is rarely a straight path, and Michelle and Keeshan are candid about the challenges they faced as young, female entrepreneurs stepping into ownership. 

"We needed a mentor in the industry, and honestly, it was hard to find," they recall. "At that time, there wasn't the support and encouragement from other women as I would have loved to see." 

Rather than let that gap discourage them, they turned it into motivation. Today, they make a point of being the mentors they once searched for, offering guidance and support to other salon owners navigating similar paths. 

"We don't believe in competing with other stylists or business owners," they explain. "It takes everyone, with our differences, skills, and talent, to make a well-rounded community." 

It's a mindset rooted in faith and persistence. "We have relied on God through the bumps and bruises," they say. "The greatest milestone is flourishing every day, 27 years and counting. We have a strong and powerful team." 

And if they could offer one piece of advice to their younger selves on day one? "Don't take life too seriously—everything can and will work out." 

Giving Back to Richmond 

For Michelle and Keeshan, success isn't measured only in client retention or revenue. It's measured in impact. 

Cosmotique has long supported local charities, schools, and churches, donating products and services wherever they can. Among the causes closest to their hearts is Cross Road Women's Recovery Center, a Richmond organization they're especially proud to support. 

"We hire locally and believe in supporting the people and organizations around us," they say. "We want to be a positive presence in our community." 

That commitment to local impact is part of what makes Cosmotique more than a business. It's a reflection of two women who see their salon chairs as a platform for something bigger: connection, care, and community. 

What's Next for Cosmotique 

Nearly three decades in, Michelle and Keeshan aren't slowing down. Their focus for the future remains consistent with the values that built Cosmotique in the first place. 

"Always growing and providing job opportunities for new talent coming in," they say when asked what's on the horizon. 

It's a fitting next chapter for a salon built on mentorship, community, and the belief that there's room for everyone to succeed. 

Experience Cosmotique for Yourself 

Michelle Simpson and Keeshan Capps didn't set out to build a legacy—they set out to make people feel welcome. Twenty-seven years later, that simple mission has grown into one of Richmond's most trusted salons and spas. 

Ready to feel the difference? Visit Cosmotique Salon & Spa at 201 S 5th St, Richmond, Indiana, call (765) 966-4667, or book online at cosmotiquesalon.com to experience firsthand what happens when beauty and kindness come together.