We were lucky to catch up with Alondra Marshall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alondra, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
For me, entrepreneurship wasn’t random— it was rooted in my story. I started cosmetology- hairstyling while I was still in high school. I’ve always loved art, creativity, and transformation, and beauty was my first language as my first salon visit was at 5 years old. Even as a teen, I understood how deeply how we look can affect how we feel. As a first generation college graduate, I took what felt like a practical path and moved into corporate America, working in Human Resource Management. That experience taught me structure, leadership, systems, and people skills I didn’t realize at the time would later become the backbone of my business. The shift happened in 2020 during the pandemic when I was laid off from my corporate role and that moment forced me to pause and ask myself what I really wanted to build. Instead of seeing it as a setback, I saw it as an opportunity to realign with my purpose.
The idea started very humbly, in a friend’s living room. The A Lifestyle was born from conversations about how beauty, wellness, faith, and lifestyle all intersect. The beauty industry often says, “When you look good, you feel good,” but I realized people were craving more than just hairstyling. They wanted alignment— mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I identified a gap and built around it. I noticed there wasn’t a space that intentionally connected beauty with wellness, faith, and everyday lifestyle practices in a practical, modern way. The mission became clear: empower people to live better, and more intentional lives. From there, execution meant structure. I translated the idea into action by outlining what The A Lifestyle would actually offer— resources, education, and products that elevate daily routines across beauty, faith, and wellness. I built an e-commerce platform that didn’t just sell products, but told a story and showed how everything was integrated. I leaned on my past to build something new and my background in HR helped me think strategically, while my cosmetology, and artistic roots shaped the brand experience. I handled the legal setup, branding, systems, and launch step by step— imperfectly, but intentionally. I reached out to a business consultant who assisted with the structure of the formation. A year later, I launched freelancing hair services as an addition to the e-commerce retail website (www.thealifestyle.com). I launched before everything was perfect, I focused on serving first and refining as I went. Although this took place during the pandemic, when online businesses were rapidly growing—there was still a significant gap in at-home beauty services. I recognized that need and stepped in to fill it. As demand for my services quickly increased, it marked the beginning of my brand’s evolution into a full hair salon. What started as freelancing grew into commission-based styling, then independent suite ownership, and now, in 2026, has led to the opening of my very first brick-and-mortar location. It has been a long journey, but an incredibly rewarding one. Feedback from the community and clients helped evolve the brand from an idea into a living, breathing lifestyle hair salon.
Alondra, 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 am a 29 year old, first- generation business owner and college graduate with a Masters degree in Human Resource Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. My journey into this industry began early. I was introduced to cosmetology while I was still in high school, and from the start I was drawn to the artistry, transformation, and confidence that beauty can unlock. At 14 years old, I had a passion for serving and learning. Creativity has always been at the core of who I am, and beauty became one of my first ways of expressing that.
Before stepping fully into entrepreneurship, I spent a few years in corporate America and that experience gave me a strong foundation in leadership, systems, and professional development. During the pandemic, I saw an opportunity to realign my career with my purpose. That pivotal moment led to the creation of The A Lifestyle, wellness, faith, beauty, and intentional living.
The A Lifestyle exists to fill a gap. My work centers on integrating beauty, wellness, faith, and lifestyle principles to help people elevate their overall well-being and daily routines. I am a Cecred Pro Affiliate and work with top professional and holistic brands in the industry. I specialize in all hair textures, patterns, density levels, color-treated hair, hair extensions and most importantly hair/ scalp health. Through The A Lifestyle, I provide salon services, lifestyle resources, and an experience designed to lower stress, boost confidence and feel supported in a relaxed, calm and safe environment. Everything we offer is intentional— from how clients experience our services to the education and resources we share beyond the salon chair. What sets me apart is the way I blend structure with creativity. I combine my background in cosmetology with my corporate experience to build systems that are both elevated and sustainable. I offer private, intimate and therapeutic hair services that leaves a client feeling encouraged and lighter than how they walked in. More importantly, I lead with purpose. I don’t just want clients to leave looking good— I want them to leave feeling empowered, grounded, and supported in their everyday lives. What I’m most proud of is building a brand that reflects who I am and what I believe in. The A Lifestyle is not just a business, it’s a community and a reflection of growth, faith, and intentional living. I’m proud that it continues to evolve while staying rooted in its original mission.
What I want people to know most is that The A Lifestyle is about more than beauty. It’s about creating a life that feels aligned from the inside out, and using everyday routines as tools for transformation. As the founder, owner and hairstylist of the business I practice the same principles that I teach. The A Lifestyle is proof that your past experiences aren’t wasted— they’re preparation. Once I stopped separating my creativity, my faith, and my professional skills, execution became natural. I didn’t just launch a business, I built something aligned with who I am and what I envision my legacy to be.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
My approach to growing my clientele is rooted in transparency and intention. I believe in being clear about what I provide, the standards I hold, and the value behind every service. I am a perfectionist by nature, and that shows in my work through my attention to detail and my commitment to exceeding client expectations rather than rushing results. I strive to create an elevated, thoughtful salon experience where clients feel cared for, understood, and confident in their investment. Many describe my salon as a hidden gem because the experience speaks for itself—you feel the passion, precision, and mastery the moment you sit in my chair. My goal is not just beautiful hair, but a lasting experience that builds trust, loyalty, and confidence from the very first visit.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The year I experienced a major pivot in my business was when I attempted to scale my salon suite into a larger space with a team and expanded beauty services. I moved from a 100sq ft suite into a 250sq ft double suite with the vision of growing beyond myself. Through that experience, I gained clarity on what truly aligned with my values, work style, and the level of quality I want to maintain. I ultimately chose to pivot again—relocating to a 150 sq ft suite and returning to operating as an independent stylist. That decision allowed me to refocus on my craft, my clients, and the intimate, high-touch experience I’m known for. While scaling taught me valuable lessons about leadership and expansion, the pivot reaffirmed that growth doesn’t always mean bigger—it means better alignment, sustainability, and intention. I now own a 900sq ft hair salon that I operate on my own, all glory to God.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thealifestyle.com
- Instagram: the.alifestyle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thealifestylellc/
