We were lucky to catch up with Wendy Haverlack recently and have shared our conversation below.

Wendy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

When I first opened Changes Salon nearly 30 years ago, it was just me, a handful of styling chairs, and a dream (plus a whole lot of hairspray). Back then, I was the stylist, the front desk, the janitor—and sometimes the therapist. But I knew I wasn’t just creating a place to get great hair; I was building a space where people felt seen, celebrated, and maybe even a little transformed—inside and out.

Scaling up wasn’t a straight line. It was more like a curling iron cord—twisted, tangled, and sometimes sparking under pressure. One of the biggest turning points came when I realized I couldn’t (and shouldn’t) do it all myself. I began investing in education, not just for myself, but for my team. We launched an associate program to train fresh talent and paired it with a strong salon culture focused on growth, empowerment, and continuous learning.

Another big leap? Moving into a 2,700-square-foot location in 2021—a bold decision during uncertain times, but one I knew was right. That move took strategy, spreadsheets, and yes, a little soul-searching (and possibly a bottle of wine). It wasn’t just about a bigger space—it was about thinking bigger in every way.

We’ve experimented with loyalty programs, hosted pop-up events with everything from Botox to waffle cookie ice cream sandwiches (yes, that happened), and built lasting relationships with our guests. Not every idea was a hit—some were flops with glitter—but every mistake was a lesson wrapped in a bow.

If I had to sum it up, I’d say this: scaling was about staying true to my values, being willing to evolve, and never being too fancy to sweep the floor—both literally and metaphorically.

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?

Hi there! I’m Wendy Haverlack, the founder and proud owner of Changes Salon in charming Chagrin Falls, Ohio—a place where hair meets heart, and guests leave feeling just a little more fabulous than when they walked in. I opened our doors nearly three decades ago with a vision to create more than just a salon. I wanted to build a space where guests felt seen, empowered, and inspired—and maybe even laughed a little along the way.

My love for this industry started young. I was always fascinated by the power of transformation—the way a haircut or color could shift not just someone’s look, but their confidence, their energy, and how they showed up in the world. That spark became a lifelong passion, and I’ve been in the beauty industry since 1985 (or technically 1984, if we’re counting cosmetology school—and we definitely are).

For most of my career, I worked behind the chair, building beautiful relationships and making real change, one guest at a time. But in 2022, life handed me a new perspective. My husband set out to hike the Appalachian Trail, and I took six trips over five months to visit him along the way (he hiked, I drove—someone had to bring snacks and clean socks!). During that time, my incredible team stepped up and showed me something powerful: I didn’t have to be behind the chair to move the business forward. I could lead it—with vision.

So, I hung up my shears and leaned fully into mentorship, strategy, and leadership. I now pour my nearly four decades of experience into helping my team grow joyful, sustainable, and successful careers. I know this industry inside and out, and I lead with a mix of heart, high standards, and a healthy dose of humor.

At Changes Salon, we offer a full menu of luxury hair services—custom color, precision cuts, extensions, scalp and hair treatments, makeup, and special event styling. We also host creative pop-ups and community collaborations—sometimes with glitter involved. But at the core of what we do is transformation—from the outside in.

What sets us apart? Our culture of education and empowerment. I developed an in-salon associate program to bridge the gap between cosmetology school and salon reality, giving new stylists what we like to call a “real-world master’s degree.” We focus on mentorship, leadership, and creating a space where both guests and team members feel supported, seen, and celebrated.

I’m deeply proud of my team. Watching them blossom into confident artists and strong leaders is the most rewarding part of this journey. And being recognized as one of the top salons in the country for employee education? That’s just the cherry on top.

For anyone just discovering us: Changes isn’t just about beauty—it’s about becoming. Whether you’re sitting in the chair or standing behind it, we’re here to help you step into the best version of yourself—and have some fun along the way.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

Yes, I’ve bought a business—and it was the beginning of everything.

About ten years into my career as a hairstylist and nail technician, I found myself craving something more. I had big dreams and just enough confidence (or maybe naivety) to believe I could run a salon better than the owner I worked for at the time. Looking back, I didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did—but I did know I had the drive to create something truly special.

I briefly enrolled in a small business course at a local technical school, but I was quickly in over my head. So I took a different route. One day, while flipping through the local paper (yes, the paper!), I saw a listing for a salon for sale. I borrowed money from my parents, took a leap, and bought it.

The salon was called Colonial Beauty Shoppe—yes, with two P’s and an E at the end. It hadn’t been updated in decades. That first weekend, my sisters and I scrubbed the place from top to bottom. It was so dirty, one of them literally wrote her name on the wall with a sponge.

I renamed it Changes, because… well, everything needed to change. The décor, the vibe, the culture. The clientele was mostly in their 80s, and I inherited two wonderful stylists in their 60s. I was 29. About 94% of my own clients followed me, and suddenly, I was their boss—without a clue how to lead.

We made updates slowly. I had little money, so I added furniture and improvements piece by piece. Over the years, that little outdated salon became a vibrant hub of transformation—for both guests and the team. It was scrappy and imperfect, but it was mine. And it laid the foundation for the thriving salon we are today.

Buying that business wasn’t just a career move—it was a turning point. It taught me grit, humility, and the difference between having a vision and making it real, one paintbrush and payroll at a time.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There have definitely been a few pivots in my career, but one of the most emotionally challenging lessons came through employee turnover. Early on, I didn’t understand that attrition was just part of running a business. When stylists left—especially the ones I had poured everything into, trained from the ground up, and cheered on as they grew—I was devastated. It felt personal, and it shook me.

But over time, I realized that people move on for many reasons, and it doesn’t take away from the role I played in their journey. Now, I see it differently: I build, I nurture, and I keep hiring. I work hand-in-hand with my team, and I’ve created a culture where we grow together—for however long that season lasts.

Today, I’m proud to say my longest-standing team member has been with me for 11 years, another for 6, and several others for 3 and 2 years. I’ve learned to keep my heart open and my hiring consistent. It’s been an amazing evolution—one that’s taught me that leadership isn’t about holding on, it’s about lifting up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.changessaloninc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changessaloninc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/changessalonchagrinfalls
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/changes-salon-inc/
• Other: Google: https://g.co/kgs/S6mVyLg

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