About Us

Rosalie Merkel is a beauty industry, innovator, and creator of SpektraLift, a patent pending professional hair color regulator designed to transform traditional limitations of lift and deposit.

With decades of experience in advanced color and education, Rosalie merges artistry with chemistry to deliver controlled high-performance results within existing color systems.

Her work is rooted in precision, efficiency, and modern salon demands-empowering stylists to achieve refined transformation in a single service.

SpektraLift embodies her vision of elevated color intelligence where innovation meets effortless execution.

"Some educators influence a class. Dale Smith influenced an entire generation."

In every profession, there are the names people know and then there are the names behind those names…the architects, the innovators, the visionaries whose work built the very foundation others now stand on.

For the professional salon industry, one of those quiet but undeniable forces is Dale Smith.

With five decades of mastery, international leadership, product innovation, and global education, Dale is not just part of the industry's history, he is part of its DNA.

His impact is woven into the technical manuals you've studied, the color lines you've trusted, the global trends you've seen on stages, and the philosophies you've absorbed without ever realizing they originated from him.

He is one of the rare educators who never stepped away from the craft, never distanced himself from the real salon world, and never stopped working behind the chair. And because of that, he remains one of the most relevant, relatable, and in-demand mentors of our time.

Most hair color problems aren’t technical they’re educational. Dennis Gebhart has spent over four decades proving that when professionals understand the why, mastery follows. A veteran salon professional, licensed cosmetologist and barber with a background in chemistry, Dennis is known for translating complex hair-color science into clear, usable knowledge that transforms results behind the chair.

He has educated stylists across the globe, mentored educators, contributed to major professional brands, and built a reputation for cutting through industry myths with precision, integrity, and clarity.

Today, Dennis is the founder of Guru Nation, host of the Guru In Your Ear podcast, and author of Captain Color vs. The Pigment Pirates, a modern handbook challenging misinformation in professional beauty.

Through education, social media, podcasts, and publishing, his work continues to elevate how the industry thinks, teaches, and performs hair color.

His mission is simple but uncompromising: stop guessing, start understanding, and earn mastery through knowledge. If you’re ready to level up your craft, sharpen your thinking, and join a community that values truth over trends,this is where your next chapter begins.

Licensed since 1986, I have spent 39 years dedicated to the craft of hairstyling. My career has been defined by a passion for education and technical excellence.

In 1993, I graduated from the Roy Peters three-day intensive color theory program. Shortly after, in 1994, I served as a Junior Advocate educator for Redken. From 1996 to 2007, I worked as a National Platform Artist for Keune Haircosmetics, traveling extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe to teach classes and lead hair shows. During this time, I was also honored to be showcased at the 2006 Premiere Orlando Beauty Show in "Hair Color Today."

My leadership experience includes serving as the Co-Chair of the Chicago Cosmetology Artistic Team in 2001, where I was awarded a scholarship to attend the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Toronto for advanced color and cutting techniques. In 2002, I co-founded Hair Knowledge Plus, a private educational company in Chicago. Later, from 2009 to 2011, I served as an educator for Paul Brown Hawaii, teaching seminars and participating in various industry shows.

I am currently based in Griffin, Georgia, where I practice my craft at Fading Traditions Barbershop.

Jeremy Mihelich is an award-winning hair artist and educator with over 20 years of experience in the professional beauty industry. His passion behind the chair is matched only by his deep commitment to education, mentorship, and elevating the craft of hair design.

Jeremy began his career in Las Vegas, where he built a reputation for excellence at his ten-chair, award-winning salon. Now based in Colorado, he continues to inspire both clients and fellow professionals through his artistry, technical precision, and innovative approach to hair color and design.

A National Hair Color Award recipient, Jeremy is recognized for his advanced design techniques and dynamic stage presence. He has headlined for several of the industry's most iconic brands, sharing his expertise with stylists across the country and contributing to the growth and evolution of modern salon artistry.

Proudly representing SpektraLift, Jeremy brings creativity, authenticity, and a genuine passion for the craft to every platform he steps on. Whether behind the chair or on stage, he is dedicated to helping others grow, refine their skills, and see the limitless possibilities within the beauty industry.

Four decades in the professional beauty industry has given Nancy first hand experience. Her tenure as a color specialist and salon owner has provided insight into the daily challenges and rewards facing salon professionals.

As an educator and presenter for such companies as Redken and Keune and a facilitator helping to pioneer Michael Cole's Boot Camp and Salon Excellence programs to stylists, she has mentored hundreds of salon professionals.

Holding corporate positions of Director of Education, VP of Education and Marketing, Chief Operating Officer and President of various industry companies, including Keune, GK Hair, Keratin Complex and Symmetry Salon Studios, she is experienced in understanding the mechanics and posture necessary for growing a successful and profitable company.

Her passion for the industry, compassion for people and ease of adapting to change make her experience and presence a valuable addition to the projects she embraces.