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

Maria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

When I reflect on how Salon deZEN scaled up, it wasn’t a single monumental decision but a series of intentional steps that helped us grow while staying true to our values. One of the most pivotal moments in our journey was realizing that to scale successfully, we needed to focus on our culture as much as our operations.

We began holding culture meetings to ensure that our team shared the same values, language, and vision. These meetings weren’t just about the logistics of running a salon—they were about fostering a shared sense of purpose. We created space to discuss our guiding principles, how we treat one another, and how we want our clients to feel. By grounding our team in these shared values, we built a foundation that could support growth.

As we grew, it became clear that no single person could carry the responsibility of leading every aspect of the business. To address this, we developed a leadership circle structure and appointed team leaders to head different areas of the business. This empowered our team members to step into leadership roles, fostering accountability and ownership while ensuring that the business could expand without losing its collaborative spirit.

Scaling also required us to implement robust systems. From streamlining our scheduling and client communications to introducing tools like Vagaro and Vish to reduce waste and improve efficiency, these systems allowed us to manage growth without becoming overwhelmed. We even incorporated a matchmaking quiz to connect clients with stylists based on expertise and personality—this small but meaningful change reinforced our commitment to personalized service.

Of course, the journey wasn’t without obstacles. There were times when we made mistakes, like underestimating how much support our team needed during transitions. But each challenge gave us an opportunity to refine our approach, ensuring that our values and culture remained intact as we grew.

Ultimately, scaling Salon deZEN wasn’t about overnight success; it was about building a strong foundation, investing in our people, and creating systems that allowed us to grow with intention. Today, as we prepare to open a second location, those same principles guide us—ensuring that our growth is sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with who we are.

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?

About Me and the Story Behind Salon deZEN

I’m Maria Elizabeth, the founder of Salon deZEN, a socially conscious salon based in Alexandria, Virginia. My journey into the beauty industry wasn’t just about hair—it was about creating a space where people could express themselves authentically, feel celebrated, and leave with a renewed sense of confidence. From the start, I envisioned a business that could balance artistry with purpose, and that vision has guided our growth ever since.

Salon deZEN provides a range of hair services—from precision cuts and custom color to extensions and event styling—but what makes us stand out is the experience we create and the values that drive us. As a socially conscious business, we’re deeply committed to sustainability, reducing waste wherever possible. For example, we use tools like Vish and Ecoheads to limit waste and conserve water, offer refillable product options to cut down on plastic, and recycle up to 95% of our salon materials. It’s these small, intentional choices that reflect our broader mission of blending beauty and responsibility.

One of the most rewarding aspects of building this business has been cultivating a strong team culture. Early on, I recognized that scaling a business meant going beyond offering great services—it required a cohesive team aligned in values and vision. We implemented culture meetings to ensure our team shared a common language and goals, and we created a leadership circle, empowering team leaders to guide key areas of the business. These efforts not only helped us grow but ensured we did so with integrity and collaboration.

For readers who are curious about what it takes to build a sustainable, people-focused business, I’d emphasize the importance of systems and innovation. For example, we introduced a matchmaking quiz to pair clients with stylists based on expertise and personality, ensuring meaningful connections. While it’s a small detail, it reflects a larger ethos: every decision is made with care and intention.

What I’m most proud of is that Salon deZEN is more than a business—it’s a reflection of a purpose-driven approach to entrepreneurship. We’re proof that you can grow a business while staying true to your values, fostering innovation, and building meaningful relationships along the way. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a beauty professional, or simply someone who appreciates stories of sustainable growth, I hope Salon deZEN’s journey inspires you to think creatively and act with purpose in your own endeavors.

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

When the pandemic hit, Salon deZEN faced challenges we had never imagined, but it also became a moment where resilience and innovation defined our journey. Almost overnight, we had to adapt to protect our team, serve our clients, and ensure our business could survive in a completely changed world.

We started by transforming our salon into a health-conscious space that prioritized both safety and style. We moved chairs farther apart to maintain proper distancing and installed dividers—not the temporary, utilitarian kind, but ones that seamlessly blended with our salon’s design. The goal was to create an environment that felt intentional, welcoming, and safe without losing the essence of who we are.

To further safeguard our operations, we implemented a morning and afternoon shift system. By splitting our team into two distinct groups, we ensured that if one shift was exposed to illness, the other could still keep the salon running. This strategic decision not only allowed us to adapt to an unpredictable situation but also gave our team and clients confidence in our ability to prioritize their health.

During the period of complete shutdown, we pivoted once again. Recognizing that our clients still wanted to feel their best, even in isolation, we launched “Color in Place” kits. These kits provided everything clients needed to touch up their roots at home, along with step-by-step instructional videos we created to guide them through the process. While our salon doors were closed, we spent our time assembling these kits with care, offering curbside pickup to make the process seamless and safe.

These shifts were not easy—they required quick thinking, constant adjustments, and trust in our team and community. But they also reinforced what resilience means to us: being flexible in the face of adversity, staying true to our values, and always putting people first. Looking back, these efforts didn’t just get us through the pandemic; they strengthened the foundation of our business and deepened our connection to the clients and team members who stood by us during those challenging times.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

When I opened Salon deZEN, it was through the purchase of an existing business with a partner, a decision that was both a huge opportunity and an incredible learning experience. Stepping into ownership for the first time came with immediate challenges—going from never managing employees to leading a team, some of whom were twice my age. It pushed me to quickly develop my leadership skills, build trust, and navigate the dynamics of inheriting a team with established routines and expectations.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from this experience was the importance of choosing the right business partner. While my partner and I shared a vision for the initial purchase, it became clear early on that we had vastly different values and approaches, particularly when it came to growing a team and cultivating the business. This misalignment created tension and made it difficult to move forward cohesively.

One of the most critical takeaways from that time is the importance of having a clear operational agreement from the outset. This document outlines roles, responsibilities, and expectations for both partners, ensuring there’s clarity and structure in the relationship. Unfortunately, we didn’t have one in place when we started, which made navigating our differences even more challenging.

Ultimately, about a year and a half into the venture, I made the decision to buy out my partner. It wasn’t an easy process—emotionally or financially—but it was necessary to align the business with my values and vision. From that point forward, I focused on creating a team-oriented culture rooted in shared goals and trust, which became the cornerstone of Salon deZEN’s success.

Looking back, buying an existing business taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, partnership, and the importance of foundational agreements. It was a challenging but transformative experience that shaped the leader and business owner I am today. It also reinforced my belief that success isn’t just about the business you buy—it’s about how you grow and lead it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.salondezen.com
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• Yelp: Salondezen

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