Salon Druknya's team

Tashi's inspiring journey began in India, leading her to America in 1992 as part of the Tibetan Resettlement Project. After a brief stint in Santa Fe, she relocated to Charlottesville, where she honed her skills under the mentorship of John Carden. With a deep passion for color formulation and foil highlighting, Tashi quickly distinguished herself in the field, becoming renowned for her expertise and creativity.

As the proud owner of Salon Druknya, Tashi has been a cornerstone of the establishment, infusing it with her vision and skill. Since 2006, she has meticulously overseen the salon’s apprenticeship program, dedicating herself to cultivating the next generation of talented stylists. Under her guidance, many have flourished, and her commitment to education and mentorship has become a hallmark of her leadership.

In 2023, Tashi welcomed Tenzin Choden into the apprenticeship program at Salon Druknya. Tenzin, who recently immigrated from Kathmandu, Nepal, brings a fresh perspective and a passion for connecting with people. Tashi’s mentorship of Tenzin exemplifies her ongoing dedication to fostering new talent and embracing diverse backgrounds within the salon community.

Tashi’s journey from India to becoming a successful salon owner and mentor reflects her dedication, expertise, and profound impact on the world of hairstyling. Her leadership at Salon Druknya continues to inspire and shape the industry. 

Packmo has lived in Charlottesville since 2001, where her family business was part of the vibrance of the city’s Downtown Mall. She long dreamed of becoming a hairdresser and her dream came true in 2006 when she began her apprenticeship at Salon Druknya under the direction of John Carden and Tashi Druknya. Packmo is detail-oriented and has a unique insight for an individual’s appearance.

 Laurel has been living in Charlottesville since 2004 and has been with Salon Druknya for almost as long. She hails from Southern California and attended school in Berkeley where she obtained a bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. She and her husband Chris spent two years in Portland, Oregon “just to see what it was like”. Coincidentally, that is also how she ended up in Virginia in the first place. Laurel currently lives in town with Chris and her two daughters, Faye and Margot. 

Hailing from Lhasa, Tibet, Sonam loves art, reading, styling hair, and being with her kids. Since leaving her homeland, her travels have taken her to 12 countries around the world. 

Sonam’s professional life has been full of creative endeavors, from acting in film to teaching Tibetan language courses at the University of Virginia. She began her career as a hair stylist in 2001 apprenticing under John Carden and has been  part of the Salon Druknya team since 2008.

 Natalie graduated from Staunton School of cosmetology in November 2002. That same week she moved to Orlando, Florida with her husband Tory. There she worked in area salons specializing in precision cuts and natural hair coloring. In August 2018, Natalie moved back to Virginia where she is currently working at Salon Druknya and living in the Shenandoah Valley. She enjoys training and working with dogs in her free time.