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

Hi Elena, thanks for joining us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

Invest in people not products! Serve them by being the owner who cares the most and watch your business grow by itself .

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 background and context?

I’m Elena, a hairstylist turned salon suite owner with over 20 years in the beauty industry. My journey started behind the chair with a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful. As the daughter of immigrant parents, I learned early the value of hard work, perseverance, and faith. I didn’t come from a business background and I didn’t have a business degree. Everything I know about business came from experience, determination, and a willingness to learn along the way.

After spending years working in traditional salon environments, I saw an opportunity to create something different. I wanted to build a space where beauty professionals could have the freedom to grow their own businesses while serving their clients in a professional, upscale environment. That vision led me to become a salon suite owner.

Today, I provide luxury salon suites for independent beauty professionals who want more control over their careers and the opportunity to build something of their own. My goal is to create a supportive environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, whether they’re just starting out or ready to take their business to the next level.

What sets me apart is that I’ve lived both sides of the industry. I’ve spent decades behind the chair serving clients, and now I understand the challenges and rewards of business ownership firsthand. I know what beauty professionals need because I’ve been in their shoes.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of isn’t the building itself. It’s creating opportunities for others. Watching beauty professionals gain confidence, grow successful businesses, and create financial freedom for themselves and their families is incredibly rewarding.

I want people to know that my brand is built on faith, family, hard work, and community. My story is proof that you don’t need the perfect background or formal business education to build something meaningful. With dedication, resilience, and a clear vision, incredible things are possible.

For me, success isn’t measured by how many suites I fill. It’s measured by the lives I impact along the way.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Your greatest weapon is your mind. Train it to see opportunities not obstacles! Read, learn and be hungry. In the early stages of my business I would obsessively tap into what I called “online mentors”. Basically other well known entrepreneurs who would share their business journeys and inspire me to keep pushing. For example Jesse Itzler, Sarah Blakey and Ed Mylett. Go follow them and can guarantee you will thank me later .

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I started my salon suite business, I didn’t have a large amount of capital. It was during the COVID era, which made the decision even more intimidating. I secured a small business loan that allowed me to purchase equipment, complete renovations, and cover the initial startup expenses.

I’ll be honest. I was terrified! There were moments when I wondered if I had made the right decision because if tenants didn’t come, I would have been responsible for the loan and the expenses. But I believed in the vision, trusted my experience in the beauty industry, and relied heavily on my faith.

I focused on marketing, building relationships, and sharing the opportunity with beauty professionals. Within a few short months, tenants began leasing suites, momentum grew, and the business took off. Looking back, taking that leap of faith was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It taught me that growth often comes from stepping into uncertainty and believing in yourself before anyone else does.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elenasalonstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenasalonstudios?igsh=enFoYnMxY2ZzcWti&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17iSRcZ9AS/?mibextid=wwXIfr