We are a women-owned independent creative agency.

Our team of interdisciplinary strategists, designers, developers, illustrators, copywriters, UX/UI experts, and project managers work together across and beyond job titles.

Our Directors

Portrait of Jen Thomas, Partner & Creative Director

Strategy, New Business, Operations
From strategic concept development to visual brand direction, Jen has been guiding brands to success for over 20 years. She directs business development for our firm, overseeing creative processes with efficiency and vision.
Jen is the former Executive Director of Visible Studio, and taught design at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. She has been a featured speaker at Design Week Portland, AIGA Women Lead, Bend Design, and Gray Magazine’s Design Minds. Jen holds a BFA from the California College of the Arts.

Portrait of Liz Gill Neilson, Partner & Creative Director

Design, Development, Strategy
With over a decade of experience in brand development and e-commerce at every level of the consumer journey, Liz leads our creative team to produce award-winning work for our clients.
Liz is a Co-Founder of the Natural Resonance Festival and has been a featured speaker at First Round, Design Week Portland, AIGA Women Lead, Bend Design, and Gray Magazine’s Design Minds. Liz serves on the Advisory Committee of OK You, and holds degrees from Columbia University and PNCA.

Portrait of Kristin Howe, Partner & Strategy Director

Strategy, Messaging, Operations
Specializing in naming, brand personification, voice development, and copywriting, Kristin’s approach to brand strategy has been described as “holding up a mirror” for our clients.
Kristin is co-creator of Forrest and a founding member of Secret Room Press. Her poetry has appeared in Grits Quarterly and SGC Literary Journal. She holds a BA in English and Communications from UC Davis, and an MS in Writing and Publishing from Portland State University.

Portrait of Denise Hernandez, Associate Creative Director & Accessibility Specialist

Design, Strategy, Accessibility, Development
With a talent for creating visually stunning brand worlds, Denise directs brand development projects with a considered dedication to accessibility, ensuring inclusive and beautiful experiences for every audience group.
Denise brings her passion for design as a tool for community impact to create brands for nonprofits, purpose-driven organizations, and pro bono client projects. She holds a BA in Graphic Design from Portland State University.

Portrait of Ciera Tague, Interactive Director & Technology Specialist

Development, Strategy, Design, Motion
Fluent in WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace CMS development, Ciera prioritizes strategy, user experience, and web accessibility in her work. From motion graphics to interactive problem solving, Ciera brings our clients’ brands to life with a solutions-oriented approach to development.
Ciera holds a BS in Graphic Design with a focus in Interactive & Digital Design from Portland State University, and is an instructor for A&D projects at PSUGD.

Our Values

Our values are the roadmap by which we evaluate our decisions, actions, work, and interactions. The act of consistently striving towards them defines who we are as a company.

Learn more about our values.

Our History

Founded in 2012 by Jen Thomas and Liz Gill Neilson, The Beauty Shop’s story includes six studio locations, eleven team members, twelve speaking engagements and panels, countless clients and project collaborators, and the founding of one non-profit organization.