Small-Town Roots Lead Stylist Home
After years of building his career across Montana, local hairstylist and barber Cordel Nelson has come home to bring professional hair services back to the community he knows best.
Studio 103 recently opened its doors, giving area residents another option for hair services without making the drive to larger towns. For Nelson, opening his own business in his hometown is the fulfillment of a goal he first set while still in high school.
“When people asked me what I wanted to do after high school, I always said I wanted to own a business,” Nelson said. “I didn’t know all the steps it would take to get there, but that’s part of the journey.”
Although he always envisioned owning a business, he didn’t immediately know it would be a salon. That changed after attending a college fair in Plentywood, where Paul Mitchell representative Jody Zahn encouraged him to pursue cosmetology.
“I was interested in photography and art,” Nelson said. “She told me I would be a good fit, and I followed through after high school.”
Nelson’s career began at Sport Clips in Bozeman before moving to Canyon River Spa, where he said his education truly expanded. The salon invested heavily in continuing education, allowing him to attend advanced classes throughout Montana.
One of the most influential experiences was a six-month hair color program that met one weekend each month for intensive, 10-hour classes.
“I learned so much more than I ever expected,” Nelson said.
He later attended barber school in Great Falls, where he learned traditional barbering techniques, including straight razor shaving. After working in Billings at both a salon and a high volume chain shop, he realized something was missing. “I started seeing people from this area coming all the way to Billings for haircuts,” Nelson said. “That’s when I knew I had to come back.”
Returning home wasn’t simply about opening a business. It was about reconnecting with the community where he grew up.
“There’s something special about serving people you actually know,” Nelson said. “You build di rent relationships when you know your clients and are a part of the same community.”
Studio 103 get its name from both its independent studio-style business model and its address.
“The address is 103 and it’s a little studio,” Nelson said. “It just fit.”
The building itself also carries local history. More than 100 years old, it still contains an original bank vault, which now serves as a unique display area for retail hair products.
While Nelson enjoys providing a variety of services, he considers blonding his specialty.
“I really understand the process,” he said. “But I like doing di rent things. It keeps every day interesting.”
Nelson credits much of his success to the mentors who helped shape his career. Jody Zahn and instructors at Paul Mitchell were among the first to encourage him, while co-workers and educators throughout his career continued to teach him new skills.
He especially credits Tim Kirkgard for teaching him the importance of building relationships with clients.
“He taught me that people don’t just come for a haircut,” Nelson said. “They come because they enjoy spending time with someone who cares. Success isn’t just about being a great hairstylist. It’s about being a great person.”
Opening Studio 103 has already shown Nelson the impact a local business can have.
“The most rewarding part has been seeing how thankful people are that they don’t have to drive so far anymore,” he said. “They can get in sooner, and they leave happy.”
Outside the salon, Nelson enjoys exploring Montana’s natural beauty, especially visiting hot springs, rivers, and state parks.
As Studio 103 settles into its new home, Nelson hopes it becomes more than just a place for haircuts.
“I love hearing everyone’s stories,” he said. “Whether it’s a farmer, a teacher or a student, getting to know people is one of the best parts of the job.”
Cordel Nelson poses outside his newly opened salon. The hometown stylist recently opened the business, offering a variety of hair services to local residents.
(Photo by Elizabeth Hendrickson)
