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SEARCHWhen the pandemic hit, I converted my business to a mobile salon. After a year navigating personal and professional hurdles, staying adaptable has been my magic sauce for success.
I never imagined myself as a cosmetologist. I was 30 years old when I left my office career to begin something new. I knew I didn’t want to be behind a desk – so I enrolled in beauty school and began taking classes. I also assisted my first mentor, @sadiejcre8s, who taught me that there is more to this career than just being at the salon.
Booth renting left me alone most of the time, so in February 2020 I decided to sign a lease and have my own studio. I was killing it… and then two weeks later the first shutdown in California happened. I had just found this new space I could work from. I cried for two weeks.
I asked myself, “What can I do?” I went to my vision board and saw old pins of a mobile salon. This idea was something I wanted to pursue years before, but some family thought it would devalue my business and brand, so I had held off. I started browsing options, but nothing stuck.
We had reopened for services again when my daughter ended up in ICU. I was alone in ICU holding my daughter’s hand and I knew something had to change. I told god and the universe, “If you allow my daughter to leave here healthy, I promise to close my suite down.” At that moment I heard from another mom in the room: “My lash lady says they just did second shutdown.” I looked on the news and the second shutdown happened in California. I decided right then I would close my salon suite.
I started with a budget of $10,000 and decided on the DIY route, going on Craigslist, and searching vintage campers. I reached out to a fellow small business owner to see if she would offer her decorating touches, and she ended up collaborating with me to make it a special space. Collaborating with another Latina on this project was amazing (and shoutout to Cristina at Floral Luxe), and having help from other local contractors was key to finishing the unit. It takes a team, and during moments of trial asking others to help is instrumental.
I made my clients part of the process too, and they were even more excited than me. I grew my business during the shutdown by offering virtual consultations and advertising my upcoming mobile salon.
We opened and things were going great in my mobile business. But soon after, my hand started having issues and I was out of work for nearly three weeks. While I was out, I offered color kits and coaching opportunities to keep income coming. A week later I was exposed to COVID-19 and received a positive diagnosis. I was devastated, but instead of hiding it I went on social media and shared my story of how I contracted the virus, and I used my hard time in isolation to raise awareness in my community.
The support for clients and friends through this has been beyond words. This year has been the hardest year of my life, not just career-wise but personally. Resiliency to keep moving forward is what has me here today. I read the DMs and emails from my podcast of how others in the industry are struggling too. We are not alone; we are all in this together.
It breaks my heart to see salons closing and stylists leaving, but I think being adaptable and wiling to change is the magic sauce to more than simply surviving.
I am now moving away from hair and into BB Glow and noninvasive beauty treatments. The more you are willing to understand that is okay to change and be unapologetic, the more you will be tough enough to succeed.
Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.
Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.
Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.
North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.
For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.
Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.
Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.
For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.
Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.
Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.
For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.
Transformation artist Melissa Dawn has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Dawn is known for dramatic transformations, creative color and a philosophy that encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
In this content series, we're focusing on artists who found a niche that really speaks to them and work for their career. Henry "Tribes" Amoloja (@theweightedcape), is based in Dallas, TX, and practices sensory-friendly barbering.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. Texas-based artist Kimberly Michelle has always loved focusing on healthy hair and scalp, and headspa rituals was a natural evolution.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Caidy Brasure's perspective on specializing in editorial and special occasion styling.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Shonda Harvey-Gayle's perspective on specializing in extensions.
