Does tortious interference apply here?

An employer who hires someone knowing that that person is subject to a VALID non-compete provision which bars him/her from taking the job is probably liable for tortious interference with the employee's employment contract with the prior employer.  There's a good chance that, ASSUMING THE NON-COMPETE IS VALID, your friend could face liability even though she won't technically be your employer.  HOWEVER, non-compete agreements are often held to be unenforceable unless they are necessary to protecf the employer's legitimate interests and narrowly tailored to be only as restrictive as necessary.  I am not familiar with Washington law in this area, but my gut and experience tell me that a six mile restriction on a hair dresser (for how long?) is likely not be enforced by a Court, at least not without being "blue pencilled", i.e. narrowed to be more reasonable (e.g. 1 mile for one year after termination of employment.)