The Sine Qua Non Story…

After 6 years of doing hair at a Chicago based salon while simultaneously playing music with Chicago rock bands, Salon Owner Laura Boton had an epiphany: Create the perfect salon environment that fuses creativity and flexibility with one on one, attentive customer care.

Her unique vision was to build and sustain a salon where growth, artistry, integrity and a thriving culture came together in harmony.

Inspired by the salon industry’s untapped potential, she set out on her quest to create a positive, thriving, and fashion focused salon environment for both her employees and the valued guests that frequent it. With an undying focus on that vision, on August 18th 1993 Sine Qua Non Salon began its revolutionary journey with it’s first boutique salon at 2944 N Lincoln (building no longer exists).

Sine Qua Non’s next evolution was to train and educate young stylists to rise above the rest in the art of hairdressing. The Lincoln Park location became the first Sine Qua Non hairdresser training facility as well as a customer care salon, with Lakeview (2003) and Andersonville (2006) following.

The boutique salon model was deliberate. Laura and the SQN team’s core value of one on one service could only be delivered in smaller, more intimate environments.

With Laura’s tenacious commitment to the people she employs, the Sine Qua Non’s team members incredible dedication to the craft, and the focus on giving a guest experience that is second to none, Sine Qua Non has flourished to the success that it is today. With three (soon to be four) successful salon locations in Chicago, Laura’s commitment to her Utopian vision of the perfect salon still drives and inspires her business.