In Saskatoon, a group of talented hairstylists worked together at a local salon, but recognized that there was a better way to take ownership of their careers.

Wanting a place of their own – but not wanting the risk or control of the business to fall on just one person – they created a co-operative together.

The result is Stardust Studio Employment Cooperative – a beautiful salon space owned collectively by five women who share equally in the running of the business.

“It really just like made sense to go down a co-operative way, because it just ensures that everybody is equal – equal value, equal say, equal everything,” said Jillian Irving, one of the co-op’s founders. “And that’s going into it what we wanted – we wanted a space where, if you’re an owner in it, then you have equal value, equal say, and you can feel like you’re on the same level as everybody else.”

Stardust Studio celebrated its grand opening 2025, building a “fresh, vibrant salon space created with individuality, creativity, and confidence in mind.”

Co-operatives First was proud to help this group plan and incorporate their co-op!