Gila Rut Salon

About Carol:
Carol Davis opened Gila Rut with her daughter, Keri Davis-Duffy, in 1992. Now retired, she remains a true force in the industry, thanks to her lasting legacy of care and passion.

About Keri:
Keri Davis-Duffy is the reason Gila Rut exists. She and her mother Carol Davis opened the first Gila Rut in 1992. Since then, Gila Rut has grown to include three locations, all Aveda salons. Needless to say, it’s been quite a wild ride!

What was your profession before you became a stylist and opened Gila Rut?
Keri: At 19 I worked at Sea-World in concessions waiting for my name to come up for financial aid to go to Cosmotology School. I attended Delux Beauty School and went on to work at Cory’s Salon. I had worked there for three years and one day I showed up to work and the doors were chained shut! Everyone … Read More

In 2004, a young girl with many shades of green in her curly hair walked into Gila Rut for an interview, fresh out of cosmetology school and ready to take on the beauty industry. Today, Nadia “Nadz” Provenzano is a full-grown woman—mom to the cutest little girl (her mini-me), full of body art and artistic flair. Over the last decade, she has mastered her craft and influenced our culture in countless ways.

What prompted you to work at Gila Rut?
I wanted to specialize in cutting and become an educator one day. Check and check!

What was your job/career prior to working at Gila Rut?
I worked at my dad’s auto repair shop.

What was your defining moment that brought you to be a hairdresser/manager?
My mom took me to a Vidal Sassoon cutting specialist. I think I was six or seven. I was amazed. I knew that’s what I … Read More

Shabar has worked at Gila Rut Aveda Salons since 2006. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Shabar grow into a few roles during his time with us; he has been a Phone Operator, Guest Relations Manager, and now Events Coordinator and manager of our phone center team. During the day, you can listen to his lovely voice behind the phone when booking appointments. At night, you can enjoy his performance as one of the singing members of the San Diego Gay Men’s chorus!

What prompted you to work at Gila Rut?
I randomly applied to work the front desk; little did I know it would become a home to me.

What was your job/career prior to working at Gila Rut?
I was in school.

What was your defining moment that brought you to be a manager?
When I heard Keri (our owner) say, “Be now what you want to become,” … Read More

What prompted you to come to Gila Rut?
Fortunately for me, the stylist I was going to at the time (approximately 23 years ago) moved to Gila Rut.

What was your job/career prior when you started coming to Gila Rut versus now?
I was a legal secretary for the largest local law firm in San Diego. I’m now the Personal Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of the second largest YMCA in the U.S.

What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I love to travel.

How often do you change your hairstyle?
Being a Gila Rut client has given me style.

What’s your favorite thing about Gila Rut?
I love knowing that I will leave Gila Rut completely satisfied with my services and the customer service I receive.

What’s your favorite memory of Gila Rut?
I enjoy so many memories of being a client of several staff … Read More

Shannon McCool is one of our hardworking and dedicated managers. He embraces the spirit of “no job too big, no job too small.” This spirit has led him to grow in ways he never expected since starting employment at Gila Rut Salons back in 2001. He marches to the beat of his own drum—full of energy, sass and wit. Underneath all that energy, he has the biggest heart you could fit in a body; he is gentle and caring. He shares his love for life, always coming from a place of love and compassion for fellow humans as well as animals, especially cats…meow!

What prompted you to work at Gila Rut?
A longtime friend who was a lead colorist there told me about an opening for part-time front desk.

What was your job/career prior to working at Gila Rut?
I worked in a variety of industries before landing in the … Read More