We recently connected with Amore Monet, Mariam Ahmed and have shared our conversation below.
Amore Monet, Mariam Ahmed, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
We were coming up with names that we wanted to represent who we were individually and as a team. It was important that we dreamed…and some would call us a little “mad”. We both were wanting to go into a more whimsical direction without it being too over the top. We are a more modern industrial salon, so we didnt want to name ourselves “Super Happy Fun Land” and everything be minimalistic lol. Something that incorporated “wonderland” and was still able to leave enough to the imagination that we were able to make it more minimal industrial.
With that, we came up with “Hare Parlour”.
Amore Monet, Mariam Ahmed, 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?
Mariam and I have been freelancing as makeup artists and hair stylists for years, but our love for creativity started with painting and sculpting. We both began our careers in the wedding industry, where we learned the importance of staying organized, keeping things spotless, and running a tight ship. Over time, we branched out, working on all kinds of photo shoots and events, and about a decade ago, we started dipping our toes into the world of film and commercials. Mariam has been running her own bridal company since 2011, and I graduated from cosmetology school in 2012, then opened my own hair studio in 2015.
Working in the wedding industry taught us to be disciplined—time management, cleanliness, and keeping our business in order became second nature. The fast-paced environment also meant we were always trying out new products to keep our kits stocked and up to date with the latest trends.
When we moved into the film industry, we quickly learned a new kind of hustle. The time we once took for wedding services—45 minutes to an hour—got slashed, sometimes down to just minutes. We became pros at doing quick touch-ups between takes, making sure every detail was camera-ready. It even meant keeping a close eye on the monitors to make sure everything looked perfect from shot to shot.
As queer women of color, we couldn’t help but notice how few people like us were in our industry. After years of being best friends and working together, we decided it was time to join forces and create a space where not just we, but others like us—creative, quirky individuals—could truly thrive. Inclusion means everything to us, so when we started our business, we made sure to create a safe, welcoming space for everyone, especially those from marginalized communities. Our salon is fully ADA compliant, with plenty of room for wheelchair access, including our hair wash stations. Besides having room for hair stylists, makeup artists, and a lash tech, we also added a photography studio and event space to make it a true creative hub and one stop shop!
We’re very proud of our little safe space and making sure that everyone that walks through our door feels welcomed.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think the key to building our reputation has honestly just been being true to who we are. I know that might sound cliché, but it’s honest.
Years ago, being “the weird kid” wasn’t exactly something to brag about. I remember getting teased for it a lot, lol. But times have changed, and I think we’re all starting to embrace our quirky sides instead of hiding them out of fear of judgment. We’ve gone from comic books and cosplay being niche hobbies to seeing millions of people flock to conventions every year—and Mariam and I are totally here for it. That’s why we have themed days at the salon where we get to dress up and just have fun with it. We absolutely love it!
On top of that, it’s important to just be a good person. I don’t think it’s hard to do—treat people with kindness, and don’t be a jerk. But we try to take it a step further by really advocating for marginalized communities because everyone deserves to feel valued and important.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Mariam and I first connected through mutual Facebook groups for makeup artists. We started following each other and quickly became fans of one another’s work. As Mariam loves to joke, she “stalked” my social media before somehow convincing me to be her friend, lol. I’m so glad she did though. it’s definitely the best creepy decision she’s ever made! 😂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hareparlour.com
- Instagram: @hareparlour
Image Credits
Professional photography by: WDR Imagery