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

Megan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission at Mystic Studio is to provide a safe place where people from all walks of life can express their individuality through their hair.

I view hairstyling as sacred spiritual work, a way of deepening our connection with ourselves and embodying our internal truths in the physical realm. When we feel connected with our physical selves, we are able to walk through the world with confidence and energetic alignment.

Across time and culture, hair has held a sacred significance. It is often seen as an extension of the self, woven with memory, emotion, and personal history. In the Victorian era, loved ones wore lockets containing a strand of hair to carry the essence of someone close. In other traditions, hair is ceremonially cut during times of grief or transformation, marking rites of passage or honoring the departed. These practices speak to what I’ve always felt: that hair holds energy. It carries the weight of what we’ve been through, and also the possibility of release and renewal.

At Mystic Studio, each cut, color, and style becomes a kind of energetic clearing or invocation. It’s not just about changing how we look, it’s about coming home to ourselves.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up queer in a small conservative town, i learned early on that my core values and who I wanted to be in the world, didn’t align with that of those around me. At times this dissonance was painful. But looking back now, I understand that nothing was wrong with me, I just needed to find a place where I could belong. It’s safe to say I’ve always felt like a bit of a black sheep.

Though I’ve always been artistic, I never consciously recognized hair as an art form. When I reflect on my relationship with hair and expression, Its clear to me that it was within me from the start. Like many young girls, I would cut and color my dolls’ hair. As I grew older, my friends and I would save up our allowance to buy Manic Panic and clip-in hair extensions at Sally Beauty. I’ve always been a bit of a shapeshifter, known for changing my hair. From pixie cuts to funky color I used my hair to express myself and regain a sense of control in my life during difficult times.

I have a vivid memory of sitting on the plastic chairs at Great Clips, flipping through style magazines and being mezmerized by the avant-garde styles of Vidal Sassoon. Even after I graduated highschool and went on to study Art History and the Visual Arts in College, I was captivated by transformation. I found myself scrolling through social media in my free time, watching countless videos of hair and makeup transformations. About a year and a half into my studies, I realized that higher education wasn’t my journey. I moved home, worked several “normal” jobs and felt completely rudderless, that was until I toured a cosmetology school on a whim. From the moment I stepped inside that building, I knew my life was about to change.

Each experience I collected along the way has shaped the way I show up behind the chair today. I believe it is sacred work to craft a space where people can bring their vision to life through my hands. My goal is to create a welcoming, affirming environment where clients are embraced not in spite of, but in celebration of all that makes them unique. I strive to meet folks where they are, and curate an experience that feels relaxed, intentional, and deeply personal.

I also make it a priority to use and promote products that align with my values – featuring brands that emphasize botanical ingredients, environmental sustainability, and ethical practices that support small independent artists.
(Cult + King and Areté)

I’m really passionate about growth and continuing to learn behind the chair. Even though I run my own independent salon suite, I stay connected to the industry through classes and online education. It keeps me inspired and up to date. I love helping clients find solutions to their hair challenges and creating low-maintenance looks that actually work with their lifestyle.

I’d say I’m a bit of a jack of all trades, but my main focus is on customized haircuts and lived-in color. That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for creative, alternative cuts and large color transformations. There’s nothing better than seeing someone light up when they see themselves in the mirror. That moment is what makes it all worth it for me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first opened my salon loft, I was feeling burnt out from the micromanagement and inconsistent leadership I had experienced in traditional salon environments. I felt creatively stifled and held back by both real and perceived limitations. That said, I’m incredibly grateful for the mentorship and lessons I received from other stylists along the way. They were foundational to my growth. Still, I believed that going independent would solve everything. But as the saying goes, wherever you go, there you are.

Owning a business has given me incredible freedom, but it has also held up a mirror to my own challenges. Time management, punctuality, planning, and the daily responsibilities of running a business don’t come naturally to me, as is often the case for many creatives. The financial side of things has always felt intimidating. And truthfully, the circumstances around opening my salon happened quickly. I didn’t have time to ruminate or over-plan. I had to leap without a safety net. I took out a small personal loan and threw myself into research, learning everything I could along the way.

There were times in that first year when my neurodivergent brain made things harder. I struggled with being visible, often afraid of truly being seen, and I took every misstep to heart. Learning how to hold myself accountable while still practicing self-compassion has been a delicate but necessary process. Imposter syndrome is real.

When my books were slow, I questioned everything. But rather than giving up, I chose to keep going. At first, I told myself, “Just make it one year, then reevaluate.” That became, “Most businesses take time to grow.” Now, I can confidently say I am fully in it. I am committed to showing up every day and making it work.

I’m still growing, and I don’t see that ever stopping. What I’ve learned most is that the more I show up as my authentic self, the more I attract clients who align with who I am. That alignment has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Most of my new clients find me through Instagram, where I’ve curated a virtual lookbook of my work, and a glimpse into my mindset behind the chair. I’ve found that being authentic on social media helps attract people who really connect with my style and values.

I’ve also built strong relationships with other beauty professionals, which has created a referral network. Ultimately, I believe great work, real connection, and showing up as myself are what draw the right people in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mysticstudio.glossgenius.com/about?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLqtzZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp7xC4d3us0c-_WwEkbxbmwWmLfgBS9uVDg5oBpsFTYGfBeo6NLuKBeEi99M4_aem_Nlhpp4G01bEsacYsc2ByVQ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megannicole.hair?igsh=MXZtYm83dHkwcXRqYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Lane Brooks Photo