We recently connected with Milana Lebedeva and have shared our conversation below.

Milana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I grew up in a family of teachers, so education, discipline, and respect for hard work were always a big part of my life. But what my parents really did right was teaching me responsibility and independence from a young age. They didn’t just tell me what to do — they trusted me to make my own decisions, and that stayed with me.
Another thing they gave me is a strong work ethic. I saw how consistently they showed up every day, even when things weren’t easy. That example shaped the way I approach my own career. When I moved to New York, I already had experience, but I still had to start over — new country, new language, new system. It wasn’t easy, but I never considered giving up, because that mindset was built in me early.
They also taught me to respect people and truly listen. I think this is a big part of why I connect so well with my clients today. I don’t just do hair — I listen, I understand what a person wants, and I make sure they feel seen and comfortable.
Looking back, I realize they didn’t just raise me — they gave me a foundation that helped me rebuild my life more than once and eventually create my own business.

Milana, 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?

My name is Milana, and I’m a hair stylist and colorist based in Los Angeles, originally from Uzbekistan. I come from a family of teachers and actually started my path in a completely different field, but I always felt drawn to beauty and working with people on a more personal, creative level.
I moved to New York already as a trained professional, but I still had to rebuild everything from the ground up — new country, new language, new clients. That experience shaped me a lot. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to truly earn people’s trust. Later, I moved to Los Angeles and built my business again, this time with more confidence and a clear vision of the kind of work and experience I wanted to create.
Today I run my private studio, where I specialize in color, balayage, and keratin treatments like Brazilian Blowout. My work is very detail-oriented and personalized. I don’t believe in “one formula for everyone” — every client is different, and I take the time to really understand what they want, what works for their lifestyle, and what will actually look good on them long-term.
I think what sets me apart is that I truly listen. For me, it’s not just about making hair look красивым — it’s about making a person feel confident, understood, and taken care of. Many of my clients stay with me for years and even follow me across cities, and that means a lot to me.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the trust my clients give me. Also, the fact that I was able to start over more than once and still grow my business each time — that’s something I don’t take for granted.
What I want people to know about me is that I’m fully dedicated to my craft. I’m always learning, improving, and giving my best to every person who sits in my chair. For me, this is not just a job — it’s something very personal.

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

I think my reputation was built through consistency, honesty, and the way I treat my clients. From the very beginning, I focused not just on the result, but on the entire experience — how a person feels when they sit in my chair and when they leave.
I always take the time to really listen. Many clients come in with ideas, photos, or sometimes confusion about what they want, and I see it as my job to guide them honestly. If something won’t work for their hair, I explain why and offer a better solution. That level of trust is what builds long-term relationships.
Another big factor is consistency in my work. No matter how busy I am, I try to give the same level of attention and quality to every client. Over time, people notice that and start recommending you. A lot of my clients come through word of mouth, and many have stayed with me for years — even following me when I moved between cities.
Also, I never stop learning. Trends change, techniques evolve, and I always invest in improving my skills. I believe clients feel that when they come to me — that I care, that I’m up to date, and that I truly want to give them the best possible result.
In the end, I think my reputation is built on trust. When people know they can rely on you, they come back — and they bring others with them.

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that I had to say “yes” to everything in order to grow.
When I first started building my career in the U.S., especially in New York, I felt like I had to prove myself all the time. I was taking every client, every request, every schedule, even when it wasn’t the right fit or when I felt exhausted. I thought that saying “no” could mean losing opportunities.
Over time, I realized that this mindset wasn’t sustainable. It affected my energy, my creativity, and even the quality of my work. I started understanding that real growth comes not from doing everything, but from doing the right things.
Learning to set boundaries was a turning point for me. It allowed me to be more present with my clients, more focused, and more intentional with the kind of work I take on. I became more selective, not in a negative way, but in a way that protects both my clients’ experience and my own standards.
Now I see that saying “no” doesn’t close doors — it actually creates space for the right opportunities and the right people.
That shift changed not only my business, but also how I feel in my work every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.milanaboutique.com
• Instagram: @mila_hair_la
• Facebook: Milana Lebedeva
• Other: Google
  Milana Boutique

Image Credits

Milana Lebedeva