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

Marissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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.

I had just gotten the keys to my new apartment, which at the time was a blessing based on the current situation of recently going through a rough divorce with a 10 year old and an 8 month old. I had been assisting for my amazing boss/mentor at the time being and I knew I needed more income and more free time, so I can support my kid’s but also be present for them. I had asked him to rent me a chair at his salon so I can have my current client’s take me more serious, since I was just building my clientele! Unfortunately that did not work for me as everyone had already seeing me as an assistant, I believe I was still being treated as one. I decided to venture out and rent a chair at a different salon that god willing my boss still helped me with his connections. Although, this was going a bit better I still felt it was not for me! I needed more control of my current situation and service’s I’d wish to offer my client’s. I needed to work freely with no limitation’s and or expectation’s!
I took a leap of faith and asked my brother to help me by lending me some money to put down for a deposit to rent my own personal hair studio. I had only about 10 consistent clients. I had now stacked up bills that I knew needed to be taken care of with only 1 income! This gave me the motivation to get moving and putting fear aside,, I got my studio in Oct 2019 then pandemic hit March 2020. Boy was i nervous but also kept faith, I took this opportunity to help build my business by coming up with ideas to promote myself and learn new techniques that I will now bring to my salon. I put it all into action and when we finally re-opened I had offering’s on my social media that helped draw potential client’s attention. I started building quite quickly,, fast forward today most of all my clientele have become word of mouth. I now have a strong foundation with over flowing clients, everything has turned out much better than I ever imagined.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Marissa Coronel. I am a proud single mom to two beautiful girl’s and the owner of a small business BeautybyMarissa. As a hairstylist with over 12 year’s of experience, I was initially drawn to this industry not only because of my love for the craft and the art of transformation, but also because of the flexibility it offer’s. Knowing I could be present for my children by being the one to pick up and drop off my children at school and being available in emergencies, this was incredibly important to me.

What I love the most about my work is connecting with people and helping them feel more beautiful and confident then when they walked in. Over the years, listening to my clients stories and being a part of their journey inspired me to go even further. I realized I had a deep desire to guide other’s with love, compassion and patience. This calling led me to become a life coach.

My greatest pride comes from building my business from the ground up, on my own. Through this journey, I discovered my true purpose: helping other’s overcome their obstacles and reignite their passion. As a life coach, I have the privilege of working especially with mothers particularly single moms who are striving to find their passion, start their own businesses, or simply find peace in their hearts.

I understand firsthand the challenges moms face in juggling work, life, self-care, and everything in between. My mission is to help them navigate these challenges with empathy, compassion, and practical support. What sets me apart from other stylist is that I offer more than just a transformation in appearance i provide a safe, supportive space in my studio where clients can also work on their inner growth.

Ultimately, I want to help others realize that their is so much more to life then working a 9-5 . I am passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship and helping people discover their deeper purpose.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I have found for growing my clientele is approaching every interaction with honesty and clear understanding of each client’s unique needs. My priority is not solely financial gain, but rather ensuring that I act in the best interest of my client’s. This means offering professional advice, delivering exceptional customer service, and creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere a true escape where clients feel valued and at ease.

Building genuine relationship is at the heart of my approach. I make it a point to get to know my clients personally, remembering the details of our conversations and tailoring their experience accordingly. I believe in educating my clients throughout the process, including aftercare, so they feel empowered and informed.

While I utilize Instagram to showcase my work, I let the quality of my service speak for itself. I am not perfect, and when mistakes occur, I acknowledge them promptly and take immediate steps to resolve any issues. This transparency has been instrumental in building trust and establishing a safe space where clients feel comfortable communicating their needs.

Finally, I am committed to continuous growth remaining adaptable, learning from others, and staying open to new techniques and products. This dedication to ongoing education ensures that I can consistently offer the best possible experience to my clients.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn in my career was the habit of undervaluing myself in order to accommodate my clients. Early on, I prided myself on forming positive connections and going above and beyond to meet my clients’ needs. However, this often meant adapting to their requests—even at the expense of my own worth—sometimes feeling guilty for charging appropriately, especially when clients shared personal stories.

Over time, I realized that consistently putting others’ needs ahead of my own led to a pattern of people-pleasing and self-doubt. I found myself hesitant to set fair prices or enforce boundaries, worried that doing so might drive clients away. This mindset kept me operating from a place of scarcity and uncertainty.

It took a leap of faith to break this cycle. I had to unlearn the belief that my value was tied to how much I could give or accommodate, and instead, embrace the importance of charging my worth and communicating the value of my work and time. This shift was challenging, as it meant risking the loss of clients and stepping into the unknown. However, by setting clear boundaries and valuing myself, I found that clients began to respect me—and my work—even more. Ultimately, this lesson not only helped me grow professionally but also allowed me to attract clients who truly appreciate and value what I offer. It was a difficult journey, but learning to step into my worth has been transformative for both my business and my sense of self.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbymarissa_c?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/mindsetempowerment_coach?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Caitlin Fisher Studio