Executive Team
KYLE SIMONSON | Chief Executive Officer, Founder
Celebrating perpetual renewal in every stage of life.
It’s a beautiful thing when someone is able to live out their calling, even more so when that purpose draws out the best in others. Kyle Simonson is one such individual. She has found her bliss in making others look and feel good. In her words, “Unless I have helped someone realize their potential, I haven’t done anything.” Since 1983, she has fostered an environment where continuous improvement, open communication, and innovation have become the cornerstone of a highly successful business model and a fiercely loyal and talented staff who daily push the limits of their potential skyward.
Merging the business craft of the burgeoning day spa industry with a genuine commitment to people and quality has been daunting, yet the kind of task she was cut out for. The unparalleled Simonson’s salon experience is a product of Kyle’s years of hard work, personal sacrifice, and focus. Today, she is a recognized leader in her field as well as in the community at large.
As with every other stage of her life, Kyle Simonson continues to rise to the occasion in facing new challenges. Actually, she revels in it! Most recently, that took the form of building the Maple Grove salon and corporate headquarters from the ground up, a metaphor that reflects her personal vision of experiencing perpetual renewal. While making the most of her past, she faces the future with anticipation, “There’s something to celebrate in every stage of life!”
CARRIE JOHNSON | Chief Operating Officer
Success is in the details.
Attention to detail, Carrie Johnson will tell you, is what has established Simonson’s as the premier day spa experience of salons in the Twin Cities, emphasizing, “We truly care about each and every guest that comes to Simonson’s.” As Chief Operating Officer, she is responsible for information technology, standard operating policy and accounting oversight. Working with founder and CEO, Kyle Simonson, Carrie strives to create an environment where technique and technology are always improving and where an impeccable industry-wide reputation is the natural outgrowth of the company-wide passion for excellence.
Carrie is a graduate of the University of Minnesota at Duluth with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Her studies included chemistry and psychology with an eye toward a career in veterinary medicine, but while working in an animal hospital, she found that her interests leaned more toward business. In 2001, she found Simonson’s and began as an executive assistant. It was no surprise she absorbed virtually every aspect of the business, proving herself capable of progressively increased responsibility and finding an unexpected excitement for the service industry.
Always looking for a way to make the process and the experience better, Carrie welcomes new challenges and pushing beyond expectations. “I thrive in an interesting environment,” says Carrie, “I love the constant challenges.”
MARILYN AASE | Education and Sales Director
Excellence is passion and skills on a collision course.
Marilyn Aase came to Simonson’s in 2002. At the time, she had over a decade of industry experience with Clairol, Matrix, and L’Oréal. With such exceptional expertise and experience, Marilyn could have written her own ticket to virtually anywhere, yet she knew Simonson’s was different. “There are a lot of great salons out there, but none really held a candle to the professionalism, teamwork, opportunities, and spirit that Simonson’s has.”
In her leadership role, she mentors a group of salon and spa educators who, in turn, ensure the superior levels of service are delivered to every customer. She is also responsible for standards and certifications. In essence, Marilyn transforms the ordinary into excellence, something she also demands in herself. In her words, “Excellence is where passion and skills collide.” She prizes those she works with who think for themselves and are brave enough to ask questions, adding, “They keep us inspired and open to a different way.”
Originally from the northern Twin Cities suburb of Coon Rapids, Marilyn is active and enjoying all that the great Minnesota outdoors has to offer while working toward her undergraduate degree and being the loudest cheerleader for her two athletic high school sons.
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DEIDRE SIMONSON | DIRECTOR OF QUALITY CONTROL
Rising to every occasion.
One might say that for Deidre Simonson the day spa business is in her blood. From an early age, she saw first-hand the demands and rewards of a career in the service industry. In 2004, she dove in and hasn’t looked back. In her words: “I knew it was my calling since I saw it grow from the roots up.” Deidre began working at the family business at the bottom as a sanitation steward and worked her way up as a Guest Services Representative, Team Leader, Lead Salon Coordinator and ultimately growing into her current position of Director of Quality Control. Her career path has given her hands-on experience at every level of the company’s operations, something that she has genuinely enjoyed and been respected for by her co-workers.
A Minnesota native, Deidre grew up in Maple Grove. She currently studies at Anoka-Ramsey Community College with an emphasis on Business Development and Interpersonal Communications. Making the most of education and experience, she actively looks for a way to fine-tune the Simonson’s experience: “I go above and beyond to ensure that I have truly made a client’s day!”
When not working, she is enjoying the great outdoors on one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes or making the most of our long winters, ripping up the slopes on her snowboard.
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JILL ZETTERWALL | HR & Compliance Director
Loyalty means ‘stepping up your game!’
In addition to serving as Simonson’s Human Resources and Compliance Director, Jill Zetterwall has been one of Simonson’s most talented stylists since 1984. In that time, she has built a base of clients, many of which have been coming back for more than 20 years! Her advice for such long-term success: “Love your work; love every person who walks in the door!” For Jill, loyalty is a clearly a two-way street.
As the chain of Simonson’s salons has grown, she has used her extensive experience and people skills to foster enduring relationships with other managers and team members, making her the ideal person to head up Human Resources. In this role, Jill is responsible for ensuring a safe work environment, for developing managers, and for getting stylists, technicians, therapists, and aestheticians the right training to advance their careers, equipping them to give customers with the most memorable and high quality experience. In addition to her many certifications, Jill has advanced education in Employment Law, Worker’s Comp, Health Care Reform, and Leadership.
Jill may have finesse as a stylist, but true to her Minnesota roots, she is a sports fan and coaches those around her with the same gusto as on the athletic fields: “Step up your game! You gotta know customer service.”
