Rodrick Samuels on The Silent Work, Modern Beauty Education and Why Empathy Wins
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
by Anne Moratto
Build on Your Success - Don't Start 2017 From Scratch
Don't let fear hold you back in 2017. See how one stylist fought her fears and is starting 2017 free of the fear that held her back for so long.
January 4, 2017
Anna Walsh
1/3
3 min to read
By her own admission, Anna Walsh had been procrastinating her whole life. At age 40, she felt strong enough to make a change. A year ago, Walsh entered MODERN’s Healthy Hairdresser Challenge, which asked readers to share goals for 2016.
“I am going to work on spinning a positive perspective,” she wrote. “I am going to procrastinate less and do the things I’m most afraid of as they come up. This year is about bravery, courage and personal growth.” She made sure her year played out exactly as she’d promised herself.
In August, Walsh launched her boutique salon, the four-chair, 1,000-square-foot Lola Hair Studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She accomplished her goal in stages, one little positive step at a time. First she left the salon that she didn’t feel was the right fit for her, and she spent some time as a solo stylist in a suite environment. That helped give her the confidence to move forward with her plans of developing and owning a salon business.
“I think I’ve always had a fear of failing,” Walsh says, “and I finally decided that my fears were fake. I realized that, barring tragedy, the worst-case scenario would be that my salon wouldn’t make it. But I’d still have my skills, and I could still work, so how bad could it be? My regrets about not trying would be worse than feeling bad about failing.”
Her positivity became a magnet for like-minded people, especially through the process of remodeling the space she wanted to lease.
“I’m still surprised at all of the support I received,” she says. “From the landlord and contractors to my husband and clients—everyone believed in me. They believed in me until I believed in myself.”
Now Walsh is starting 2017 free of the fear that held her back for so long.
She’s established a healthy culture for her appreciative team and clients. She’s crushing the high business learning curve so that she can do her own bookkeeping and marketing, and it’s paying off in impressive word-of-mouth results through social media.
To continue the momentum, Walsh hopes to hire a few more team members, including perhaps an esthetician to do facials and waxing, pursue education for herself and her team and continue her tradition of delivering top customer service.
“My mantra is to do something better each time—add a small touch or offer something new,” she says. “I customize every visit from the minute the guest walks in until she leaves.”
All of that is part of the positivity that served her well in 2016, the fresh attitude she’s bringing into the new year. “And I might be naive, but I think being a good person counts for something,” Walsh says. “That hasn’t changed at all.”
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Career
AI Won't Replace Your Voice—Unless You Let It
"The mistake people make is treating AI like a vending machine instead of a personal assistant." Digital marketing expert Scott Moon shares how beauty professionals can use AI while staying authentic
by Anne Moratto
50 Smart Things Beauty Educators Have Told Us
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
by Anne Moratto
What Salon and Spa Professionals Need to Know About Skin Longevity
Today's clients are hearing more about longevity, biohacking, inflammation, and healthy aging than ever before. This article explores the science and language behind the skin longevity movement, and what it could mean for client consultations, treatment recommendations, and professional credibility.
Financial Educator Anna Manukyan Launches Masterclass for Early Career Stylists
Licensed to Thrive, Anna Manukyan's all-in-one beauty career and financial masterclass, is being gifted to professionals who enroll in L'Oreal LEVEL Rewards for a limited time.
6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
MODERN SALON Boot Camp Heads to Austin: One-Day Beauty Business & Career Education Event for Beauty Professionals
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
How Michelle Bowden Had a Breakout Year (and How Other Stylists Can, Too)
From working backstage at multiple Paris Fashion Week shows to collaborating on four creative collections and expanding her international stage work, Michelle Bowden has had an incredible year of growth. Here, we break down her approach that drove her momentum, offering a framework for stylists looking to elevate their own careers.
Ulta Beauty and Beauty Changes Lives Launch “The Possibilities Are Beautiful” Cosmetology Student Scholarship
This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.
A Path for Everyone: Great Clips Salons Offer Diverse Career Opportunities
Locally owned Great Clips salons offer a wide variety of career opportunities, competitive compensation, supportive salon teams and opportunities to grow your skills, both technically and professionally.
Sponsored by Great Clips
Are Salon Suites Becoming Too Cheap? The Hidden Risks of Low Salon Suite Rent
Salon suite consultant Karen Kaminski explains why cheap salon suite rent can destabilize the salon suite business model and why value-based pricing may be a smarter strategy.
Magical Creatures: Why These Stylists Love Creating Fantasy Hair Color
These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.
by Anne Moratto
Keratin Complex Launches KC on Tour 2026 with Tabatha Coffey
Keratin Complex is taking education on the road in 2026 with the launch of KC on Tour, a live event series featuring industry icon and salon business coach Tabatha Coffey.
by Anne Moratto
Why Soft Skills and Client Communication Matter More Than Ever in the Beauty Industry
Modern professionalism is evolving beyond hard skills. Technical training is essential but about 85 percent of job success comes from soft skills. In a world where AI and automation are increasing, human connection becomes more valuable, not less.
by Anne Moratto
Author Daniel Cubillo Drops the Blueprint for Building a Career in the Content Arena
In his new book "The Creative Mastermind," a writer and creative executive behind brands such as "Top Chef," "Fear Factor," and "Real Housewives," shares his insider knowledge for navigating today's chaotic content landscape.
What Custom Notifications Tell Us About the Personalized Future of the Salon Client Experience
Personalization is no longer just the cherry on top; it’s the whole sundae. If clients don’t feel like you designed and personalized the experience just for them, they’ll find a salon that does.
Beautiful Careers Happen Here
Ulta Beauty is always innovating to meet professionals where they are. Amazing transformations happened at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in 2025, and Ulta Beauty artistry and education will be everywhere you want to go in the year ahead. Come see all The Salon at Ulta Beauty has planned for you in 2026!
Sponsored by Ulta Beauty