Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aja Ottero. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Aja thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Absolutely. One of the biggest ways we diverge from the traditional salon model is by putting people first – always. At MAE Salon + Wellness, we care about our stylists, our clients, and the bigger picture of human wellness, not just hair. Most commission-based salons have historically focused on numbers and productivity above all else, which can burn out stylists and leave clients feeling transactional. We flipped that.

We build every service around the experience of connection and nurtured moments. Our stylists aren’t just executing a look, they’re creating a space where clients feel seen, heard, and cared for. We exemplify this in the MAE Original Scalp Experience, where it’s not just a blowout or treatment, it’s a full sensory, nervous system wellness-focused ritual.

On the stylist side, we prioritize autonomy, respect, and growth. Instead of pushing them into unrealistic quotas, we provide the tools, mentorship, and support for them to build thriving careers on their terms. This creates a ripple effect: happy, empowered stylists naturally build loyal clients, and clients feel valued beyond the chair.

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?

I’m Aja Ottero, founder of MAE Salon + Wellness in Denver, Colorado. I started in the beauty industry at the Aveda Institute Denver in 2010, and over the years, I’ve built a career not just as a stylist, but as a mentor, coach, and community-builder. I even took my craft abroad, teaching and doing hair in South Korea while also teaching English, before returning to Denver to pass on what I’d learned and eventually open my own space.

MAE Salon + Wellness isn’t just a salon, it’s a holistic wellness hub. We offer everything from blonding, balayage, and precision cuts to our signature MAE Original Scalp Experience, extensions, smoothing treatments, and beyond. But what really sets us apart is our philosophy: people come first. We care deeply about our clients’ experience, our stylists’ growth and autonomy, and the bigger picture of human wellness. That means every service is about connection, care, and transformation – inside and out.

I’m most proud of building a space that values artistry, independence, and human connection over numbers or speed. Whether it’s creating a look a client has been dreaming of or mentoring a stylist to grow into their best self (yes self, their whole self, not just their stylist self) everything we do is about elevating people. The core of MAE is simple: we listen, we care, and we create experiences that leave people feeling seen, supported, and empowered.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that really illustrates resilience for me is the journey of expanding MAE Salon + Wellness. Each step in my career, from my first commission chair, to suite rental, to opening a three-chair salon, even in the middle of the pandemic, felt like a natural progression. Those early milestones taught me so much and set me up for success. But this expansion, building MAE into the wellness-focused space it is today, has been a whole new level of challenge.

From navigating construction, operations, and new service offerings to maintaining a culture that prioritizes both clients and stylists, there were moments that demanded every bit of creativity, patience, and focus I had. “Blood, sweat, and tears” is no joke! Through it all, I leaned on the lessons I’d learned from my past growth and stayed anchored in the vision of creating a space where people come first – stylists, clients, and the larger community.

This journey taught me that resilience isn’t just about overcoming obstacles, it’s about rising to meet new levels of growth while staying true to your values, vision, and purpose. Every challenge became an opportunity to strengthen our culture, refine our offerings, and elevate MAE Salon into the community hub it is today. Growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The biggest piece of advice I have for managing a team and maintaining high morale is simple: lead with empathy, clarity, and respect. People thrive when they feel seen, heard, and supported, not when they’re just measured by numbers or quotas. Invest in their dreams, their lives, and their growth. Understand that nothing is personal or about you – it’s all about them, and by choosing to lead, you’re choosing to say yes to their future even if that means they move on from your business one day.

When you lead from care and intentionality, high morale isn’t a strategy – it’s the natural result. People feel empowered, loyal, and inspired, and that energy ripples through the entire team and client experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maesalon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maesalondenver
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maesalonwellness
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mae-salon-wellness
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/mae-salon-wellness-denver-2

Image Credits

Brittany Outz and Tabor Aragon