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

Lisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

When I first decided to go out on my own and start my own salon I had the hardest time naming it. I had everything picked out, location, marketing strategy, accountants, even the stations and chairs, but a name was proving to be impossible. I remember sitting and talking to my dad about it and how much I was struggling with a name. It seemed like such a huge decision. To a degree it was, but what I learned later was that growing a business was going to have its challenges and naming it should not be one of them. I always looked at doing hair as my form of artwork. I loved acrylic painting when I was younger and in my eyes, being a hairstylist was another way for me to be an artist. Through exploring that side of my craft I landed on “Studio.” I wanted it to have a more artistic and creative feel than just “salon.” As I was exploring fonts and logos I leaned into how much I loved a cursive L. I think a cursive L is so beautiful and elegant. Through all of this exploration I landed on Studio L Salon.

Lisa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I had no idea what I wanted to do growing up. I knew whatever it was, I wanted to own my own business. I went off to college and one semester in realized it was not for me. I decided to pivot and explore other things I enjoyed as a means to start a career while I figured out what my future looked like. I knew this was going to be a tough sell to my parents, so I did some research and found the Aveda Institute in Washington, DC. I pitched the idea to my parents to apply and move to DC to pursue cosmetology. My parents were reluctant but supportive. While living in DC my passion grew and I did everything I could to get through my program and get on the floor in a salon. My first job in a salon was in Baltimore and after a brief stint in a commission based salon I found myself in a great opportunity in a booth rental salon. I worked there for a couple years and then at age 22 opened my first salon in the Remington neighborhood in Baltimore, MD. With a lot of support and insight from my family, I would work all day at my salon, run nextdoor and wait tables at night at my families former restaurant, The Dizz. Through the years the salon began to grow and I grew a team of hairstylist, estheticians, nail techs and lash artists. I loved having my own space and creating my own environment. One of the greatest joys of my career has been the relationships I have built along the way. I have some clients who have been with me since the beginning. I have seen them through major life changes and growth and vice versa.

Have you ever had to pivot?

What a great question. My word of the year for 2024 was pivot. In the year 2023 I had a lot of life happen. Bother personal and professional. Professionally I decided to redirect and “pivot” my salon to a studio space. After running a salon with different artists for years, I found myself in a position with my landlord at the time where I needed to relocate. After a lot of thought, trials and tribulation and a whole lot of faith, I moved into a studio space, just myself. I was apprehensive and wasn’t sure if it was the right move. Hine sight is 20/20 and I now recognize how pivotal and essential that decision was as a business owner. I have had time to reflect and “pivot” towards what the next phase of my career is going to look. Had I of not made that jump and leap of faith I would not of had the time or perspective to make fundamentals career changes.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I opened my first salon when I was 22. This was something that really made a mark. I was supported by some and mocked by others. Starting a business at such a young age allowed me to go through a lot of growth personally and professionally early on in my career. I think there was a confusion and doubt at times by some because of my age. Others found it intriguing and were extremely supportive. Either way, it made me recognizable early on and allowed an early start towards building my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.studiolbaltimore.com
• Instagram: @mrs_alexis_hair
• Facebook: Studio L Salon
• Yelp: Studio L Salon

Image Credits

Lauren Del Bene Photography