Our Founder: Linda Conneely

Linda, born in New York City to Irish immigrant parents, has had a passion for hairdressing since childhood. Growing up, she was always experimenting with hairstyles on her dolls, creating braids, curls, and ponytails. When her family moved to Ireland at the age of ten, Linda's enthusiasm for hairdressing led her mother to arrange for her to work as a shampoo girl at a local salon. Over the next seven years, Linda gained invaluable experience, transitioning from shampoo girl to assistant. She later trained as an apprentice under Philip Yourell in Galway, eventually working as a senior stylist. In 1988, Linda returned to the U.S. with her family, where she honed her skills further at renowned institutions like Jingles International.

In 1997, Linda opened Celtic Hair Design, a dream she realized after finding the perfect location. The salon moved to its current home on Grand Avenue in 1999, where it has since become a staple in the community. In 2022, Linda expanded her business by opening the Angelite Holistic Center, offering clients holistic services like acupuncture, reiki, and skincare alongside hairdressing. Angelite was a dream of her daughter Alanna, who had been by her side since the very beginning. Today, Celtic and Angelite remain a beloved family-run business committed to its clients and community.