We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lida Mehrabi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lida below.

Alright, Lida thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

The beauty and hair industry, particularly high-end hair coloring and hair services in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, might seem highly profitable from the outside. However, maintaining profitability comes with significant challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles is operating costs—rent in a prime location like Beverly Hills or West Hollywood is extremely high, and as a luxury salon, we must invest in top-tier products, experienced stylists, and an upscale client experience. Unlike retail businesses that can scale by selling more products, our revenue is tied to time—each appointment takes hours, and we can only book so many clients in a day.

Another challenge is client retention and competition. The market is saturated with salons, ranging from budget-friendly chains to ultra-premium boutiques. To stand out, we focus on delivering exceptional results and a personalized experience, but even with strong client loyalty, people can be tempted by new trends or competitors’ promotions.

A perfect example of this challenge happened when we had a client come in for a color correction after a discounted service at another salon went wrong. Fixing it took triple the time and product cost of a regular appointment, and despite charging accordingly, the profit margin was much lower than a standard service. While we saved the client’s hair (and they became a loyal customer), it highlights how expertise and quality take precedence over volume in our business model.

Ultimately, profitability in this industry isn’t just about charging high prices—it’s about balancing costs, delivering unmatched service, and ensuring clients keep coming back

Lida , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the founder of Gloss & Glam, a luxury hair salon and head spa in the Beverly Grove area of Los Angeles, minutes from West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. My journey in beauty and hair artistry began at 21 years old when I started working as a hairdresser in Iran. By 23, I opened my own salon, which quickly grew into a thriving beauty destination with 12 chairs, a full-service nail salon, facial treatments, and permanent makeup services. Over time, I expanded my team to 35 talented stylists and staff, creating a space where women could feel empowered, confident, and beautiful.

After moving to the United States, I earned my cosmetology license and dedicated myself to rebuilding my clientele from the ground up. Two years ago, I took the next step and opened my first salon here. However, my ultimate vision was to create something even more elevated—a luxury beauty experience that seamlessly blends artistry, personalization, and wellness. That vision came to life just a few months ago with the launch of Gloss & Glam.

Gloss & Glam was born out of my passion for delivering exceptional, high-end beauty services that go beyond hair. I wanted to create a boutique, luxury salon and head spa where every client receives personalized attention, expert craftsmanship, and a self-care experience that leaves them feeling confident, radiant, and truly pampered.

At Gloss & Glam, we specialize in expert hair coloring, balayage, highlights, precision haircuts, styling, and scalp health treatments through our luxury head spa services. We cater to women who want to look and feel their absolute best—whether they’re preparing for a special event, maintaining their signature look, or recovering from hair damage and scalp concerns.

Hair is more than just a look—it’s an expression of confidence, beauty, and identity. That’s why we take a customized approach to every client, ensuring that their hair color, style, and overall hair health align with their individual face shape, skin tone, and lifestyle.

In a city known for its beauty industry, our business stands out by offering a luxury experience that blends artistry, expertise, and wellness.

1️⃣ Luxury Head Spa Experience: One of the most unique aspects of our salon is our Head Spa—a premium service focused on scalp health, stress relief, and hair rejuvenation. Many people don’t realize that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Our deep scalp detox, hydration treatments, and soothing scalp massages help with hair growth, scalp irritation, and overall relaxation.

2️⃣ Expert Hair Color & Customization: Unlike many high-volume salons, we take a meticulous, personalized approach to hair coloring. Whether it’s dimensional balayage, seamless highlights, color corrections, or gray coverage, we ensure the perfect shade and tone for each client.

3️⃣ Focus on Hair Health: Too often, clients come to us with over-processed, damaged hair from salons that prioritize speed over quality. We take a different approach—using high-quality, ammonia-free products and advanced techniques that preserve the integrity of the hair while delivering long-lasting color and shine.

4️⃣ An Elevated Salon Experience: From the moment clients walk into Gloss & Glam, they are treated to a relaxing, luxurious atmosphere where beauty meets self-care. Our goal is not just to provide services but to create an unforgettable experience where clients leave feeling pampered, refreshed, and more confident than ever.

Many of our clients come to us after experiencing:
✔️ Hair color disasters—whether it’s unwanted brassiness, patchy highlights, or color that doesn’t suit their features. We specialize in corrective color and creating seamless, natural-looking blends.
✔️ Thinning hair & scalp concerns—through our head spa services, we help with scalp buildup, hair loss, and overall hair health.
✔️ Finding a stylist who listens—many women struggle to find a salon that truly understands their needs. At our salon, consultations are key! We take the time to listen, analyze, and customize every treatment.

I’m incredibly proud of the community and trust we are building at Gloss & Glam. Many of our clients have been with us for years, referring their friends and family because they know we’re committed to excellence, consistency, and an elevated salon experience. Seeing the transformation not just in their hair, but in their confidence and happiness, is the most rewarding part of what I do.

What I Want Clients to Know is that If you’re looking for more than just a salon appointment—if you want an expert team that prioritizes your hair health, delivers stunning results, and provides a truly luxurious experience—then Gloss & Glam is for you. Whether you need a color refresh, a confidence-boosting style, or a relaxing head spa treatment, we’re here to help you look and feel your best.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Starting over in a new country, with no connections and no established reputation, was one of the biggest challenges of my life. Back home in Iran, I had built a thriving salon business with 35 employees, 12 styling chairs, and multiple beauty services under one roof. I had spent years perfecting my craft, growing my clientele, and creating a beauty empire. But when I moved to the United States, I had to leave it all behind and start from zero.

I arrived in a country where I had no network, no salon, and no client base. The beauty industry here was different, the business landscape unfamiliar, and the competition intense. But I refused to let those obstacles define my future. I worked tirelessly to get my cosmetology license, learning new techniques, understanding local trends, and navigating the industry from the ground up.

At first, I took small jobs, renting a chair in different salons, just to prove myself and build trust. I worked long hours, sometimes taking clients late into the night, making sure every woman who sat in my chair walked away feeling beautiful. Slowly but surely, my reputation grew, and clients started referring their friends and family.

After years of persistence, I opened my first salon in Los Angeles. But I knew I wanted to create something even bigger—something that truly reflected my passion for luxury hair artistry and wellness. That’s when I founded Gloss & Glam, a salon and head spa that isn’t just about hair, but about providing an elevated beauty experience.

The journey hasn’t been easy. From navigating language barriers and cultural differences to competing in a city filled with top-tier salons, I faced countless challenges. But my belief in my skills, my passion, and my vision keeps me moving forward.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up, I was taught that hard work is the key to success—put in the hours, push through challenges, and eventually, success will follow. This mindset drove me to build a thriving 35-stylist salon in Iran at a young age, and when I moved to the United States, I believed the same approach would help me rebuild.

But I quickly learned that hard work alone isn’t enough—especially in a new country with different business rules, a saturated beauty market, and no established connections. No matter how many hours I worked or how much I perfected my craft, I realized that success here required more than skill and effort—it required strategy.

I had to unlearn the idea that simply working harder would get me where I wanted to be. Instead, I needed to work smarter—focusing on networking, branding, marketing, and positioning myself differently from the competition. I had to study the market, understand what clients truly wanted, and build a business model that was both profitable and scalable.

This shift in mindset is what ultimately led me to create Gloss & Glam—a salon and head spa designed not just for exceptional beauty services, but for luxury, self-care, and an elevated client experience. It wasn’t just about putting in more hours behind the chair—it was about building a brand that attracts the right clientele, stands out in a competitive industry, and delivers lasting value.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glossglamhairspa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glossglamhairspa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glossglamhairspa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GlossGlamHairSpa