salon, Doyle Designed, in Flossmoor, where he sells
his own line of hair care products.
(Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
Artistry comes in many forms. There are so many things in this world that become a canvas to someone with an artistic eye and burgeoning creativity. For Doyle Sims, his artistic personality and passion for beauty led him to open Doyle Designed Salon, which is celebrating 25 years in business in Flossmoor.
The full service family hair care salon at 2630 Flossmoor Roard offers hair cutting, styling, coloring, relaxers, Brazilian blow outs and facial waxing.
“I have always been artistic,” said Doyle. “I was drawn to the many facets of the beauty industry that would empower me to be a craftsman and artist. My mother always said ‘When my hair doesn’t look good, I don’t feel good.’ So, I not only get to apply my artistry, but make people feel better.”
Sims started his career in cosmetology at Pivot Point Academy in Colorado Springs and returned to the Chicago area to complete his education at Capri Beauty College in Oak Forest. Ten years later he returned to Capri to earn his Cosmetology Teacher degree.
“I started in a mostly African-American salon in Matteson for the first five years of my career to learn hair textures. As the area has integrated, I have been able to accommodate many types of hair textures,” said Sims. “I worked in Flossmoor Commons, then managed a salon in the downtown district. I have always loved Flossmoor and the diversity of the area.”
Sims has now been working in Flossmoor for 30 years. In his many years in Flossmoor and years of operating his own salon, he said the relationships he has developed with his clients have been priceless.
“A number of my clients have been with me for a lot of years. And some are relatively new to my salon,” said Sims. “But we strive to make them all feel important and many say they always feel better and feel that the salon is like an extended family to them.”
Besides the services Sims provides, he also has a full line of his own products that can be purchased in the salon or online at doyledesigned.com, from shampoo and conditioner to styling products to leave-in treatments to finishing products.
The website also features a series of YouTube tutorials done by Sims on hair care and links to a monthly column he writes for Yes magazine. He’s also enjoyed sharing tips as a featured writer and contributor in the past for Nail Pro Magazine, Nails Magazine and American Salon, as well as Passion Hair Styling Books.
Although he has been in business for a long time, Sims keeps current in the industry to provide the best service to his clients.
“With the ever growing draw of the internet, many people research prior to coming in for a service,” he said. “So you need to be aware of the new trends, especially color trends. Keeping up with knowledge is a key to success.
“It’s really great to be able to create an environment that everyone feels comfortable in,” he said. “But my biggest pleasure is watching the expression on a face that has gone too long without feeling unique and beautiful.”