Some stories are too good not to share — and this one is served with both style and spirit. Glam, grit, & good drinks — Tyler Colton tells all!
In the latest episode of Coffee Talks with Ace, we sat down with Tyler to discuss his journey of being a celebrity hairstylist who left behind the fast-paced glam of Hollywood to opening one of the hottest bars in Reno, Nevada, The Emerson, a community-driven bar in the heart of Midtown.
Reinvention in Reno
For years, Tyler styled the stars, making his mark in the beauty and fashion industries. But when the bright lights of Hollywood no longer sparked joy, he made a bold move: trading red carpets for Reno lights. At The Emerson, Tyler has created more than just a cocktail bar — it’s a gathering place where inclusivity, creativity, and connection shine as brightly as the neon outside its doors.
Why It Matters
At Ace Studios, our mission with Coffee Talks with Ace is to highlight voices and businesses that make our community stronger — from women-led and POC-owned companies to LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and veteran-owned businesses. Tyler’s journey is a perfect example of how passion and purpose can transform not only a career but also a community.
Watch the Full Episode
Tyler’s story is inspiring, funny, and full of those “wow” moments you won’t want to miss. Grab your coffee (or maybe a cocktail ) and join us for this conversation.
👉 The full episode is out now on our YouTube channel. Click on the photo to watch it now! 👇 Check it out, leave us a comment, and let us know what you think!
What do Sarah McLachlan, Demi Lovato, and a cat named Emerson have in common?
Tyler Colton.
This month on Coffee Talks with Ace, we sat down with the legendary celebrity hairstylist-turned-hospitality powerhouse. We got the tea (and maybe a cocktail or two) on his creative journey—from high fashion photoshoots to opening one of Midtown Reno’s most favorite mid-century modern cocktail lounges with a twist — The Emerson.
In his interview, we talk about his 30+ years of experience perfecting his craft as a celebrity hairstylist to stars like Demi Lovato, Avril Lavigne, and Sarah McLachlan. (No big deal, right?) He’s been featured in Vogue, Elle, Rolling Stone, and probably your dream board from 2006. His resume is star-studded, but it’s his commitment to community that really steals the spotlight.
One of the many celebs that Tyler has worked with is Avril Lavigne.
As the owner of The Emerson (Also, in case you’re wondering — yes, the name Emerson comes from the philosopher and his cat. Iconic!), a Midtown staple since 2019, and the soon-to-open The Selden (literally just across the street), an LGBTQ+ bar designed as a safe, welcoming space for all. Tyler is shaking up more than cocktails; he’s building culture.
The Emerson isn’t just a bar. In three words (none of which are “cocktail” or “bar”): it’s mid-century, modern, fresh. It’s where curated playlists meet community drag brunches. It’s where raising a glass often means raising funds. The Emerson has raised over $45,000 and counting for local causes. It’s a place for everyone — especially if you’ve ever felt uncomfortable walking into a sports bar (same, Tyler. Same).
The Emerson Bar in Midtown Reno.
What’s something people always get wrong about running a bar? “That it’s always a party,” he says. And while it might not always be a party, it’s definitely always a vibe.
Whether you’re here for the fashion, the cocktails, the drag brunches, or the heart, this episode is one you don’t want to miss.
Tyler is at the location of his new upcoming bar, The Seldon.
Don’t miss our next episode of Coffee Talks with Ace, where Tyler Colton shares his bold leap from styling A-listers to serving up soul and spirits at The Emerson. It’s a story of reinvention, community, and the magic that happens when passion meets purpose.
Catch Tyler’s interview on our Instagram @acestudiosnv and YouTube (AceStudiosNV) so you don’t miss the drop.
We checked the calendar and yep—it’s official: Joanna is having a full-blown press tour this May.
Two articles in one month? Honestly, she’s one well-placed sunglasses away from needing a publicist. 😎
But this one? This one’s for the birthday candles.
May 16 marks the day the universe gifted us Joanna Newbold, and to say we’re grateful is an understatement. She’s our VP of Client Services by day, pun-slinger, and powerhouse by night—she’s the kind of person who brings spreadsheets and soul to everything she touches.
Some fun facts about Joanna, because no birthday post is complete without oversharing:
🎂 She’s somehow both the calm in the chaos and the reason we’re all laughing mid-chaos.
✨ Favorite marketing quote? “Perception is reality.” (Which explains why her outfits always slay.)
💡 She has a superpower for turning client chaos into brand clarity—and makes it look easy.
So here’s to more client wins, big belly laughs, and emails that start with “Happy Monday” and end with “You’re doing amazing, sweetie.”
Happy Birthday, Joanna! (We love you more than caffeine and Canva combined!)
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you combine cheerleader energy, coffee-shop grit, and marketing intuition so sharp it could slice through a stale brand pitch—you get Joanna Newbold. Our new VP of Client Services brings a little sparkle, a lot of smarts, and an impressive ability to make everyone around her feel like the most important person in the room. Spoiler alert: it’s not just a superpower—it’s strategy.
Joanna’s story starts with a high school coach named Mr. Girard, a cheer squad, and a love for selling yearbook ads to local businesses. “I found it interesting learning about their businesses and creating ad strategies,” she recalls. That early spark became a flame, leading her to decades of experience in marketing, sales, and running an agency.
Joanna’s cheer days. Can you guess which one is Joanna?
But let’s rewind for a second—this isn’t your typical marketing origin story. Joanna didn’t take the corporate ladder; she built her own. Starting from the ground up, she’s invested in a restaurant for her mom to attracting the hit show Man vs. Food to their restaurant, owning a coffee shop, and resurrecting a Depression-era tagline for a client—”You don’t need teeth to eat our meat” (with the help of her husband Drew… who is also a marketer!) —Joanna has always had a knack for finding the heart (and humor) in every story.
Check out the video below: “You Don’t Need Teeth To Eat Our Meat at Jim-Denny’s”
It’s that rare blend of insight, grit, and good old-fashioned hustle that makes her such a powerful force at Ace Studios. “I’m excited to focus purely on client needs and growth,” she says, with a kind of quiet confidence that makes you trust her immediately. “It’s about clarity, empathy, and following through. Making our clients’ jobs easier and helping them meet their goals.”
Joanna’s leadership style? Three words: Insightful. Adaptive. Empowering. She listens deeply, sees the full picture, and most importantly makes people feel seen. That applies whether she’s helping a client shape their brand strategy or wrangling five (yes, five!) grandchildren. Her kids call her the baby whisperer, and her dog Pete (a Shih-Poo who thinks he’s a Pit Bull) agrees.
Joanna with her cute shih-poo, Pete.
Fun fact: Joanna doesn’t drink coffee (we know, we were shocked too), but if Ace Studios were a coffee blend, she says she is still figuring out the perfect blend which is very on-brand for someone who believes the best work is always evolving which reflects her favorite marketing mantra: “Perception is reality.” To her, great marketing lives in how people feel, connect, and engage with your brand—and that truth drives everything she does.
When asked what her younger self needed to hear, Joanna didn’t hesitate: “Trust your gut. Invest more in your 401k. And take more vacations.” Wise words, especially from someone who’s spent her career helping others build businesses without losing her humanity along the way.
Whether she’s mapping a campaign, troubleshooting with grace under pressure, or bringing human-first storytelling to the forefront, Joanna isn’t just adding value—she’s raising the bar.
So if you’re a client wondering what it’s like to work with her? Expect heart. Expect strategy. And expect a woman who genuinely cares about getting it right—every time.
Did you get another yucky unsolicited spammy phone call, text, or email from a business that you swear you didn’t give your information to? It feels endless. A vicious cycle you can’t get out of no matter how many times you say no, send stop, or try to unsubscribe yet somehow, you’re still on their listing? Did you know that’s ILLEGAL? As a business, you should know that you can be reported and be given a hefty fine. Businesses have now had to start paying up… BIG TIME. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. You would feel like you’re trapped constantly trying to delete voice mails, texts, and emails that you tried to opt out of. Is this de ja vu or are you stuck in a futuristic time loop like Edge of Tomorrow? So, what do you do?
Since the phone was invented, we have been bombarded with constant calls with ‘miracle this’, ‘beauty that’, or ‘get a loan now’. Then the FTC came along banning deceptive and abusive acts and practices which also restricted the times they could call you (9 AM – 8 PM… Yay!). With the internet came email, phones came text, and now… AI.
Fortunately, we recently went to a fun workshop that helped remind us of some of the DO’s AND DON’Ts of proper marketing etiquette. Thanks to the brilliant Jennifer Baker of Performance & Engagement Consulting. She helped us see the light (insert angelic music).
Here are some DO’s & DON’Ts:
BE HONEST. BE AUTHENTIC. Don’t lie or try to trick people. Never give false information or promises in your advertising to only hook them in. It’s like starting a relationship with someone. You don’t want to start things off by lying. Be real.
IDENTIFY YOURSELF. You can’t go around telling people you’re just a “person” trying to get to know your customers when you’re a company or non-profit trying to sell a service or a product. Let’s not catfish.
Example: “Hey, it’s me, Danny. Long time no see friend. Just trying to catch up. Get a free trial to MadeUpGym for 7 days and get the bod you want for 2024 if you click on the link below.” Sound familiar? Obviously, not a friend. Like, who are you? Don’t you hate this? Me too.
GIVE THEM A WAY OUT. Don’t trap your customers in a cycle of unsolicited phone calls, texts, and emails. You have to give someone an option to opt-out or unsubscribe. No one wants to be held hostage. Yikes.
BONUS: Do you know what hours a business is allowed to send text messages to a customer? (Hint: It’s the same as phone calls… the answer is at the top of this article.)
STAY AWAY ILLEGAL CONTENT. If you didn’t know, absolutely NO marketing of illegal substances, sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, or tobacco.
For texting specifically: NO gambling!
KNOW THY AUDIENCE. Remember you have to look at your stats. You’re not just putting out content to let people know you exist, but you want to know who’s listening, reading, or watching so you can better understand how you can market more effectively rather than spending countless hours doing random things that don’t work. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME!
CONSISTENCY IS YOUR FRIEND. Honestly, this is one of the most important ones to remember. Consistency is KEY. There are many times businesses will start something and just stop (we say this because we are so guilty of it). As a small business, it is so important to remain consistent to get your information out there. Here are some tips to make it easier for you:
Create a template.
Have your topics lined up.
Create a calendar.
Have a scheduling system.
Have fun and be creative.
Yay… You made it to the finish line! These are just some of the tips we learned from the brilliant Jennifer Baker. If you want to learn more, definitely check her out. She goes into the legalities of email marketing, SMS texting, AI, and more. Overall, don’t be a pain. In simpler words, act like a human being and be real. We all want to be treated respectfully. As a business (I am a small business owner myself), it is understandable that we have to market ourselves in any way that we can, but people have their limits. We have to treat our customers with the best care possible because we ARE customers ourselves. Ask yourself… wouldn’t you want to be cared for?
Check it out, leave us a comment, and let us know what you think!
Joanna’s cheer days. Can you guess which one is Joanna?
Joanna with her cute shih-poo, Pete.
