At Your Service – Wink Staff Bios & Photos
Christine DiBenedetto: Co-owner/Designer/Mother/Motivator
Christine started her career as the chief stylist for her Barbie heads. Being voted best by the Mountain Xpress Readers' poll over seven times is a testament to Christine’s loyal clientele and her ability to keep them feeling fresh while maintaining healthy hair.
Joining the master design team for Rusk at an early point in her career provided an amazing foundation. Always an advocate for curly hair she has taken her passion to another level by becoming a Curl-Laborator with DEVA CURL. She loves cutting hair, being a small business owner and having the opportunity to spend time with her clients (some of the most amazing people in the world!). She also spends time consulting and speaking about business inspiration. When you’re ready for a major change, Christine is your girl.
At night you’ll find her home kissing on her loving family: husband Tommy, daughter Hennie and son Xavier. Life is good.
Gilda Santiago: Co-owner/Designer/Inspiration/Mother/Style Queen
With twenty five years behind the chair, you can imagine she’s seen it all. Gilda began her career in the fifth grade by busting out some Dorothy Hamil cuts on her classmates. During high school you would find her in the bathroom creating new trendy cuts on her pals. Embracing her natural talent for hair design, she began working in Westwood and Beverly Hills. She quickly became a Master Designer with Rusk International which kept her travelling as a platform artist for 10 years. A west coast valley girl with parents from Argentina she moved to Asheville 16 years ago to be closer to family. During that time she introduced the Rusk hair care line and cutting techniques to many a hairdresser in Asheville.
Gilda has set a precedent in Asheville for modern hair design. Numerous stylists/ business owners in Asheville have been trained and inspired by this super talented hairdresser. Gilda is an inspiration in her art form. In 2009 she was one the the YWCA's TWIN honorees an award for inspiring women in business.
When she’s not making you look and feel beautiful, she’s spending time with her incredible family: two beautiful sons, Angelo and Nico, and her husband Gil.
Se Habla Espanol.
Sarah Onanian Keith: Business Manager/Super Woman
When we look back on life we’ll say that hiring this woman was one of the best things we ever did. This woman takes a minimum of 2000 steps a day. She is the mover and shaker of Wink, our resident Johnny-on-the-Spot.
She started her career in fashion merchandising and business management at a little place called Neiman Marcus in Boston. She is the rock that keeps Wink grounded. She should be sainted; she’s one in a million.
If you see her anywhere near poison ivy please warn her immediately. At night you’ll find her walking her dog Boots, cooking dinner with her sweetie or training for the next big race. You can’t stop this girl!
Amy Grooms: KMS Educator/Tattoo Aficionado/Pin-Up devotee/5 Card Stud
As a WNC native with an affinity for pinup fashion, tattoo culture, and a proclivity for poker, Amy’s unique blend of vintage philosophy, classic strategy, and Southern hospitality makes her stand out as a hairdo guru.
A sassy but sweet pin curl that can’t be pinned down, she draws from an eclectic education in the art and craft of hair design and her own intuitive brand of cuts and colors. Amy’s a master stylist from shampoo to up-do, feathers to fade...but the ace up her sleeve is a short funky 'do. Whatever your suit, Amy’s all in.
Miriam McNamara: Stylist/Curly Girl Lover/Future best-selling Novelist
This graduate of Warren Wilson is an Asheville enthusiast who strongly believes that healthy hair is beautiful hair. Miriam has devoted many hours to education and training in all aspects of hair, specifically curly hair. She’s also a curlaborator with DEVA- Curl and our area "curl advocate".
She stays busy working the hair during the day and at night you can find her at the Champagne Bookstore working on her newest addiction: writing a novel about Pirates. ARGH!
Sarah Newman: Stylist/Health Nut/Step-Mom Extraordinaire
This Chicago-native has left the winds behind and settled with her man and his 3 sons in the mountains since 2007. Sarah’s hyper-focused cut and color technique along with her honesty and wacky sense of humor have helped her to create a loyal clientele. After work you can find her either at Amazing Savings or running her heart out at the YMCA.
Theresa Sczudlo: Stylist/Crossword Puzzle Junkie/Jack of all trades
A Rochester, NY native, Theresa has made Asheville her home since 2004. Her belief that education is the foundation of a great stylist and her desire to never stop learning has her jet setting to hair shows all over the country.
Theresa began her training with advanced Vidal Sassoon techniques. She has also been an educator for Wella Hair Color. She loves vivid hair color and has an affinity for hair styles that range from low maintenance to funky fun ‘dos. At night you'll find Theresa loving on her dog, Chocco, and playing around in her garden.
Amanda Willard: Stylist/Sanddal Maker/Animal lover
Amanda left the Rocky Mountains of Utah looking for a new adventure in the Smoky Mountains of Asheville. She has mastered the art of Rusk cutting techniques as well as becoming quite the mixologist with Goldwell and Organic Color Systems. Her listening ear makes it easy to get the exact look you want and her gentle demeanor will make you want to sit in her chair all day. She is an amazing addition to our Wink family.
At the end of the day you'll find Amanda with her sweetheart and their two adorable dogs, enjoying the outdoors or playing John Schmidt on the piano. Eat your heart out, Liberace!
Thea Fidler: Stylist/Music Enthusiast/Tamale Lover/
Thea is a Boston Native who studied in The Big Apple , freelancing and training with Rusk, Redken and Paul Mitchell. She LOVES vintage styling, short hair cuts and edgy color. Her hobby takes her hunting for mid century modern and atomic era finds. After a busy day at the salon you'll find her playing with her dogs or getting down to some good rock-n- roll with her sweetie.
Jordan Carlson: Stylist/Dad/Explorer/Cheese Head
Hailing from the north woods of Wisconsin, Jordan ended up in Asheville by way of Jackson Hole and South Carolina. His love for the mountains is as pure as his passion for hair. Jordan thinks doing great hair requires honest communication along with the right blend of math and art. Come see what geometric texture is all about!
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Job Openings
Wink is currently looking for an established hair
dresser with his or her own clientele to join our
team of fantastic stylists. If interested, please
e-mail your resume to salon@ilovewink.com, then follow up by calling 828.277.4070.
