Meet the Team
KEMPT was founded on the idea that men deserve a better grooming experience. We knew that there had to be a better option than traditional salons designed for women, barbershops that focus on speed and high volume at the expense of customer service, or undesirable discount chains. But there wasn’t, so we created KEMPT.
RICHARD SPROUT// CO-FOUNDER / CEO
Richard is the co-founder of KEMPT. A native of South Africa, he brings more to the team than just a great head of hair. His ability to analyze, strategize, and execute (skills honed as a veteran firefighter), allow him to facilitate daily operations from behind the scenes, ensuring that KEMPT delivers the simple, but significant experience our clients appreciate.
Hometown: George, South Africa
Age I first cut hair: 18, I cut my friends’ hair, leaving a signature long spot in the crown that they could never see….
Best Dad Joke: What do you call a guy who used to like tractors? An extractor fan!
MELISSA SPROUT// CO-FOUNDER / EDUCATOR
Melissa is the co-founder of KEMPT and a men’s hair enthusiast. After graduating from UC Irvine, she continued on the creative path as a hairstylist. Inspired by her husband and son, Melissa’s interest in men’s hair quickly developed into her passion. She knew that in order to to create the perfect haircut and experience for male clients, something more was needed. This motivated her to create KEMPT.
Location: Irvine/ Costa Mesa at South Coast
Hometown: San Bernardino, CA
Age I first cut hair: 3, it was my own (my sister declined my offer), and my mom cried – not tears of joy.
Best Dad Joke: Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees? They are really good at it.
KATIE // TEAM LEADER / STYLIST
Location: Costa Mesa at South Coast - Mon-Fri
Hometown: Mission Viejo, Ca
Age I First Cut Hair: 10. I tried to cut my own bangs. Needless to say, it didn’t go well.
Best Dad Joke: What’s Forrest Gumps’s password? 1Forrest1
SUE // LEAD STYLIST
Location: Irvine - Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat
Hometown: Baldwin, NY
Age I first cut hair: When I was 8 I gave all of my Barbies haircuts- ruined them all!
Best Dad Joke: Want to hear a joke about paper? Nevermind- it’s tearable.
KAILANA// STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Tues / Costa Mesa at South Coast – Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Age I First Cut Hair: I was around 3 or 4. I had this strange fixation with cutting MY OWN hair. Not just one time, but MANY, MANY times over. Thinking I was “slick” I would hide my curly locks in weird places around the house. You could say my passion and love for cutting hair started pretty early on.
Best Dad Joke: What kind of phones do turtles use? Shell-ular phones.
EMI// STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Thurs, Fri / Costa Mesa at South Coast – Wed, Sat
Hometown: Costa Mesa, California
Age I First Cut Hair: 13. My cousin needed a haircut and asked me to do it. It was not terrible!
Best Dad Joke: What are there pop tarts but no mom tarts? Because of the pastriarchy!
WHITNEY// STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Tues, Wed, Friday / Costa Mesa at South Coast – Thurs
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California
Age I First Cut Hair: 7 years old, cutting my barbie’s hair. Lots of bob cuts 🙂
Best Dad Joke: What do you call a girl in the middle of a tennis court? Annette.
KEN// STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat
Hometown: Fountain Valley, California
Age I First Cut Hair: I started to cut my brothers hair when I was 12 years old.
Best Dad Joke: “Dad, did you get a haircut?” “No, I got them all cut!”
JAMIE // STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Mon, Fri, Sat / Costa Mesa at South Coast – Tuesday
Hometown: Costa Mesa, California
Age I First Cut Hair: Junior high. Being the oldest of 8, there were plenty of opportunities for putting my cutting skills to the test. Let’s just say, most resulted in a buzz.
Best Dad Joke: I had a happy childhood. My dad used to put in in tires and roll me down hills. Those were Goodyears.
TORI // STYLIST
Location: Irvine - Mon, Wed, Thurs / Costa Mesa at South Coast - Fri, Sat
Hometown: Long Beach, California
Age I First Cut Hair: 7 years old. I cut one of my aunt’s doll heads in her salon. Definitely didn’t think haircutting was going to be in the family when I gave the doll a bald spot.
Best Dad Joke: What did the flower say to the little flower? “Hi bud!”
MERCEDES// STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Thurs, Sat / Costa Mesa at South Coast – Mon, Tues, Wed
Hometown: Salida, Colorado
Age I First Cut Hair: I was 7 years old. I went to bed with gum in my mouth and didn't want my mom to know, so I cut it out. I ended up with chin length hair and wore a beanie for 3 days before she noticed.
Best Dad Joke: What do you call the Security Guards at Samsung? Guardians of the Galaxy!
ALISSA// STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Tues, Wed / Costa Mesa at South Coast – Mon, Thurs, Sat
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Age I First Cut Hair: When I was five, I cut my Barbie’s hair into a short bob so she looked like Debbie from Addams Family Values (aka the Black Widow).
Best Dad Joke: A mushroom walks into a bar. The bartender says “We don’t serve your kind here.” The mushroom replies “But I’m a Fungi!”
NICOLE// STYLIST
Location: Irvine – Mon, Sat / Costa Mesa at South Coast – Tues, Wed
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Age I First Cut Hair: I am from San Francisco and lived in Los Angeles for over two decades! I fly south like the birds. I waited until beauty college to cut my first head of hair, never wanting to make a mistake! I love sports and live music. I have traveled around the world but still have many places to go. I love to find a laugh in every moment.
Best Dad Joke: How do I look? Answer: With your eyes…