We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Madison Celt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Madison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

The idea for my business started with a chance encounter. My fiancé took our dogs to the park and met someone who owned salons. That conversation sparked curiosity, and not long after, he found a listing for a salon for sale—Aviles Hair Studio and Spa. At first, I was against it but the moment I stepped into that salon, I loved it and thought it was so beautiful. Walking through those doors felt like everything was falling into place.

At the time, I had an amazing salary and a cushioned job as the Executive Director of a digital marketing company, working in the aesthetics space. I had experience with branding, customer acquisition, and business growth strategies.

Entrepreneurship is something I grew up with. My parents own a veterinary business, and my mom runs the clinic and oversees a large animal rescue. Watching her manage both taught me the value of hard work and perseverance.

When we bought Aviles Hair Studio and Spa, we saw an opportunity to modernize how salons market themselves and connect with clients. It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel but refining how a business operates.

I pride myself on being a hands-on leader and business owner. I stay involved in all aspects of the business, from day-to-day operations to long-term strategy. This helps me understand the business and make informed decisions that drive growth. At just 27, the pressure can be overwhelming, but luckily my fiance and I have eachother to lean on.

We’ve expanded in the past two years. We purchased a second salon, Shampoo the Salon in Tampa, FL, as well as a commercial property that hosts five spa rooms for rent, alongside a short-term rental. Each move was intentional, building on what we’ve learned and taking advantage of opportunities.

This journey has been about taking risks, learning fast, and finding ways to grow. The risk was high but the reward was even better

Madison, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Madison Celt, and my journey into business ownership began with a blend of curiosity, risk-taking, and hard work. I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurship, with my parents running a veterinary clinic and my mom overseeing a large animal rescue. Watching her juggle these responsibilities instilled in me the value of hard work and dedication. That upbringing shaped my path and gave me the drive to pursue my own ventures.

I’ve always had a passion for business and marketing, which led me to a career as the Executive Director of a digital marketing company, specializing in the aesthetics space. My experience in digital marketing, branding, and customer acquisition gave me the tools to help businesses grow, and I knew I could bring that expertise to new ventures.

Our salons provide high-quality hair services, and we take pride in creating a welcoming environment where clients feel relaxed and cared for. Beyond that, we focus on modernizing how salons engage with clients, utilizing digital marketing strategies to build strong brands and loyal customer bases. Our approach sets us apart because we combine our industry experience with innovative marketing tactics to drive real results.

What I’m most proud of is the rapid growth and success we’ve experienced, despite the risks. We’ve been able to scale our business, create jobs, and make a meaningful impact on the local community. I’m proud of our ability to take calculated risks and leverage what we’ve learned to continuously improve and grow.

I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my brand is built on integrity, hard work, and a passion for business. We don’t just focus on delivering great services, but we also aim to build relationships with our clients, making sure they have an exceptional experience each time they visit. My goal is to continue learning, growing, and finding new ways to serve our community and clients while making an impact in the industry. We aim to be different in the best ways!

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

We did purchase the salon businesses, and the acquisition process was both challenging and rewarding. Securing the loan was one of the tougher parts, requiring extensive financial preparation and persistence. My background in marketing was a tremendous asset during this time, as it allowed me to see the potential in the businesses and present a clear vision for their future success.

Transitioning ownership was another hurdle. Taking over an established business means stepping into an environment where the team, systems, and clients are already in place. One of the biggest challenges was addressing the emotions of the staff. When an owner leaves, it can feel like abandonment to the team, especially when they’ve built strong bonds with the previous owner. I worked hard to build trust, support the team, and ensure a smooth transition by honoring many of the traditions established by the former owners. Open communication was key, as was showing them that their well-being and input mattered.

Another challenge we encountered was navigating the differences between the two salons. Each salon had its own unique culture and operations, including the use of different products. Aligning these differences while maintaining what made each salon special required careful planning and collaboration with the teams.

Despite these obstacles, the process was incredibly rewarding. By focusing on building a strong team, keeping important traditions alive, and bringing fresh ideas to the table, we’ve been able to grow and modernize the businesses while respecting their roots. It’s a process that demands patience, adaptability, and hard work, but the opportunity to create something meaningful makes it all worthwhile.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My fiancé is my business partner. We’ve been together for about eight years, and our journey into salon ownership wasn’t something we initially envisioned. We met in college, where I earned my degree in biomedical sciences, and he pursued engineering. Over time, our shared entrepreneurial spirit led us to this exciting path, and it has been an incredible experience.

He brings exceptional financial expertise to the table. With an engineering background and an MBA in progress, he’s a financial genius whose strategic thinking has been instrumental in managing and growing our businesses. Meanwhile, I focus on HR and employee relations, handling the day-to-day operations and ensuring our team feels supported.

What makes our partnership successful is the balance we bring to the table. The tasks he excels at complement the areas I manage, and together, we work seamlessly as a team. Being partners in both life and business has its challenges, but it’s also deeply rewarding. We share a common vision and work tirelessly to achieve our goals, always supporting each other along the way. We now own Shampoo the Salon, Aviles Hair Studio & Spa, A commercial building, and a rental home. We actually got engaged at Aviles Hair Studio as well!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shampoo-thesalon.com/ and https://www.avileshairstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shampoothesalon/ and https://www.instagram.com/avileshairstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shampoothesalon and https://www.facebook.com/downtownkissimmee