About Me
Hi, I’m Chelle Neff!
Entrepreneur, salon owner, and passionate advocate for creativity, leadership, and personal growth.
The Birth of Urban Betty
I’ve been passionate about hairstyling for as long as I can remember. By the time I was ten years old, growing up in Abilene, Texas, I intuitively knew this was my calling. At 16, I enrolled in cosmetology school, and by 18, I was a licensed stylist. From the very beginning, I was hungry to learn more and challenge myself, constantly striving to work in higher-end salons. Eventually, I found myself in a Salon Suite space, working independently—but I knew I needed a business identity. That’s when Urban Betty was born, inspired by my grandmother’s name (and the name I was given at birth—Betty).
In January 2005, I officially launched Urban Betty, opening my first salon in Central Austin. I started small, with just six chairs and one employee joining me within the first six months. In those early days, I wore every hat—stylist, receptionist, accountant, marketer—believing wholeheartedly that “if you build it, they will come.” And they did. After an expansion in September 2015, Urban Betty grew into one of the largest independently owned salons in Austin, Texas. Our success led to opening a second location in 2019 and a third location in 2024, further expanding the Urban Betty brand.
The Importance of Community
My love for education and mentorship inspired me to launch Betty Bootcamp in 2017—a series of educational classes designed for both stylists and the general public. Sharing knowledge and empowering others has always been at the heart of what I do.
Beyond the salon industry, I’ve also found purpose in philanthropy. In 2019, I joined Impact Austin, a collective of over 500 women pooling resources to create a larger impact. Today, Impact Austin is one of the nation’s largest women-led philanthropy groups, and I’m honored to be part of its mission to help women reach their full philanthropic potential.
I’m also a proud member of the Forbes Business Council, where I connect with other leaders to drive innovation and change.
In November 2021, I took another big step forward by launching Urban Betty Haircare—a line designed to support and empower women beyond beauty. I donate 1% of the profits to support female entrepreneurs through Big Austin, a Texas-based nonprofit that helps fund and mentor women in business. This partnership is deeply personal to me—Big Austin was the organization that gave me my very first loan to start Urban Betty.
My ultimate goal is to grow Urban Betty into a household name while continuing to give back, empowering women worldwide through a percentage of our sales.
Let’s connect and make something amazing happen!
Now, I’m channeling my passion for mentorship, business, and resilience into writing my first book and booking speaking engagements. My goal is to share the lessons I’ve learned—about entrepreneurship, overcoming obstacles, and building an authentic brand—to help others pursue their own dreams.
I believe in leading with boldness, creativity, and heart, and I’m excited to bring my experiences to new audiences. Whether through my book, speaking engagements, or my work at Urban Betty, I’m here to inspire and empower.
Awards and Recognitions
Achieving greatness isn’t just a goal; it’s a lifestyle!
By continuing to strive for excellence and serving as a mentor to other business owners, I’ve fueled my own quest for personal achievement.
Over the years, I’ve been honored to receive the following awards and recognitions:
The 2024 CO—100 List: Culture Champions (2024): The U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored Urban Betty as one of their Culture Champions, which they define as “businesses that have cultivated a vibrant and rewarding company culture, drawing in and retaining dedicated employees who drive the company’s success.”
Global CEO Excellence Award (2019): I was honored as the Best Hair & Beauty Business Leader in Central Texas by CEO Monthly, acknowledging leadership and growth in the beauty industry. CEO Review
Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power Award (2021) and Best CEOs (2019): These awards recognized influential professionals across Central Texas, and I was humbled to be among the winners.
Austin Fashion Week Golden Boot Awards: I was honored as Best Austin Stylist in 2011 and Philanthropist of the Year in 2014, recognizing both my professional skills and community involvement.
Austin Business Journal Best Places to Work (2021 & 2022): Urban Betty was recognized as a top workplace!
Inc. 5000: Top 250 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Texas (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021): Urban Betty was recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, making the Inc. 5000 list four times.
Top 200 Salons in the U.S. by Salon Today: Urban Betty has been featured eleven times, showcasing our consistent excellence in the salon industry.
Austin Under 40: Entrepreneur & Startup of the Year (2016): This award acknowledged our innovative approach and rapid growth in the early years of Urban Betty.
Austin American Statesman ‘Best of the Best’ Awards (2018, 2019, 2024): Urban Betty was voted Best Salon by readers in the community choice awards.
Austin Chronicle’s “Best of Austin” Awards: Urban Betty Salon was voted Best Hair Salon for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024) by residents of Austin, TX. We are one of the Best of Austin “All-Time Winners” thanks to two other awards we received in 2008 and 2010, putting us at five awards total!
Women’s Way Awards Finalist: I was a finalist in both 2016 and 2018, highlighting achievements and leadership among women in business.
Wella Hair Colorist of the Year: Early in my career, I placed 2nd in this national competition.
These recognitions inspire me to continue striving for excellence, supporting others in their pursuits, and pushing the boundaries to open up new and exciting opportunities.
Beyond my industry awards, I’ve been featured in Forbes and Fortune magazine (October 2021) and regularly contribute to Thrive Magazine and Authority Global. I’m also frequently interviewed on nationally syndicated beauty podcasts, where I share my insights and expertise.
I designed and developed the FyleStyle app, which helps stylists track client information and color formulas. In addition, my husband, David J. Neff, and I created the Austin Weird Homes Tour, a self-paced tour showcasing the city’s most unique homes. The tour has expanded to multiple cities and even led to our book Weird Homes: The People and Places That Keep Austin Strangely Wonderful.
