know I didn’t go anywhere, but everyone else is posting introductions and new employees right now and I wanted to take the time to say hello.

My name is Christine Loraine Rinehart. My parents said they chose my first name so that I would be able to have a gender neutral nickname in case women were still having trouble being respected in businesses when I grew up. So I guess you could say I’ve had feminism on my mind since birth.

I’m into spooky season, with a fair amount of skeleton related decor in my studio (The Glass Menagerie, Studio 12 at the Hilltop Alexandria Sola location) and my favorite color is pink. I’m on the lookout every year when Halloween decorations roll out searching for a HOT PINK skull to add to my collection.

I’m married, but I forgot to even mention it to most people (friends included) for about three years after the fact because I just didn’t think it was a big deal. Sometimes even now I’ll be talking to my husband and say things like “if we ever get married we should…whatever wild wedding thing I just saw on TikTok” and he laughs and reminds me we ARE married. Whoops!

I work a crazy ton of hours behind the chair compared to a lot of people in my industry, averaging about 60 hours per week most of the year, and typically over 80 hours per week through November and December. I run my schedule super far in advance, encouraging clients to pre-book up to a year in advance to lock in their preferred times.

I close my work schedule to additions at the three week mark. I move my personal life around my work schedule as much as possible and by locking in my work schedule three weeks out it allows me to make and keep personal plans. This includes things as “small” as just knowing which days/times I have available to cook and grocery shop. If there’s an emergency I may still have some wiggle room, but as a general rule I’ve already filled it with commitments to my household and managing my business paperwork.

I’m very direct which can feel a bit harsh sometimes and I’ve learned it’s okay to not be for everyone. Though I do endeavor to lean into and out of some of my personality traits and interests to create “bespoke” personalities for most of my clients. After all, we should *both* be having fun when you come in for appointments.