Rick Cooper

Rick began his illustrious career in San Francisco at Vidal Sassoon as both a stylist and an educator in the 1980’s. Those early years at Sassoon ignited his lifelong passion for his craft and laid the foundation for the very principles that continue to guide him today:

• Dedication to uncompromising excellence
• Discipline through precision and detail
• Developing intuitive creative artistry

From this core foundation, Rick developed his own distinctive method of cutting, one that focuses on the individuality of every guest. Each service within the salon begins with a personalized consultation based on a persons unique physical traits, then organically evolves into a precision-detailed crafted style specifically designed to enhance the guest’s unique beauty and sense of style.

Over the past four decades, Rick has refined and elevated his cutting techniques which ultimately led him to establish a creatively robust and thoroughly comprehensive training program for his beginning artists, while also sharing his unique method of cutting far beyond the salon, through national seminars, hair shows, and editorial work. His passion for education and mentorship has inspired countless designers, empowering them to realize their full potential.

In 2001, that same spirit of vision and purpose led Rick to open Cooper Alley Salon. He envisioned a company built on three core ideals:

• A strong unified culture where the staff as well as the guests feel truly inspired and deeply valued.
• A mentoring team-based identity where collaboration fuels creativity and fosters growth.
• A commitment to community through local charities to reflect our unwavering support for our valued guests.

Today, Rick remains a constant presence at the salon, nurturing a highly creative team that embodies these same values. Rick’s journey is a true testament to how passion and purpose can shape a career, inspire a company, and support a community.

“I value each and every opportunity to help designers develop their skills and become the best version of themselves,” reflecting his belief that artistry and mentorship go hand in hand. “My true passion lies in guiding others to achieve what they want, what they need, and what they deserve,” he says, both for his design team as well as Cooper Alley guests.