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SEARCHTransformation 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.
Melissa Dawn encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.
Melissa Dawn
Transformation artist Melissa Dawn (@roguecurio) has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Based in Sandy Springs, Georgia, 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.
A member of the MODERN SALON Artist Connective and a MODERN SALON 100 honoree, Dawn believes every stylist has the power to shape the career they want as long as they're willing to keep growing.
Melissa Dawn of Rogue Curio
Melissa Dawn
Name: Melissa Dawn
Salon: Rogue Curio
Location: Sandy Springs, Georgia
Years in the Industry: 23
Specialties: Transformation and Creative Color
Instagram: @RogueCurio
MODERN SALON 100: 2019
Creative. Passionate. Resilient.
"If you can look up, you can get up." Everyone has comeback power. — Les Brown
Clients can become friends, and friends can become clients. But more importantly, we're professionals, and clients deserve a professional experience.
We also deserve a personal life. Boundaries become a necessity as you grow in your career. Some clients will be with you for a season, while others will stay with you for your entire career.
Don't take change personally. Change is a beautiful thing. Never stop growing, learning or trying something new. Your career, your income and your happiness are 100% up to you.
Choose your own adventure.
Efficiency makes room for more creativity and more money.
Find your own "method to your madness." Have an order to your services. Be prepared. Take time to set up. Meditate, dance or do whatever helps you get into the right mindset. Most of all, have gratitude for every client who chooses you.
Gratitude is the attitude...and make sure you have snacks!
Thinking social media is the only way to grow a business.
The No. 1 way to grow is by taking care of the client who's already sitting in your chair. After that comes grassroots marketing through networking and social media.
Taking every business class I could—before hair school, during hair school and after.
I've learned to let things go.
I've also learned the difference between constructive criticism and simply criticizing someone. At the end of the day, what you think of yourself matters the most.
I'm excited to see block color making a comeback. It was popular when I first started, so I love seeing the trend come full circle.
Doing hair is a business and it's okay to make money and be successful.
At the same time, I think too much information is available to the public. Everything doesn't need to be broadcast everywhere.
Communication.
Beauty professionals need to know how to conduct consultations, educate clients on aftercare and styling, talk about pre-booking and understand what's appropriate in the salon experience.
"Never Ending Story."
Never allow anyone to make you feel less than.
We're all human, and no one is perfect. Strive to become the best version of yourself in both your career and your life. Remember: you're never starting over—you're starting again with experience.
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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.
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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.
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.
