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

Marlee, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.

I got incredibly lucky to have had an amazing mentor right out of cosmetology school. To this day, she’s still one of the most talented stylists I’ve ever come across. So technical, so precise, with an insane eye for detail. That kind of artistry and discipline? It’s something she instilled in me forever.

In those early days, when I first started taking clients, I was so nervous, especially with haircutting and formulating. If Mariah was in the salon, best believe I was calling her over for guidance on every single client. I’d ask her to come watch me make my first cut when doing layers because it always looked like I was taking off so much hair. I’ll never forget when she said, “Yeahhhh, I mean, you’re cutting layers into hair that didn’t have any. It’s gonna be a lot of hair.”

She gave me those little pushes to trust myself and my knowledge, and it made all the difference. She was always real with me—honest, but in a way that I could actually receive. When I first started, she even had me take an online personality test so she could learn how to communicate with me in the way I needed. That’s leadership.

I stayed with her and that salon for the first three years of being licensed, and the foundation she gave me is everything. When I finally went out on my own, I naturally doubted myself at first, but I ended up really surprising myself. My confidence, my skill, and my trust in myself grew so much.

I truly loved my time as an apprentice. I learned more than just hair. I learned the real ins and outs of the industry, from salon life to client relationships, the kind of stuff they definitely don’t teach you in school. I’ve always looked forward to the day I get to pay it forward and mentor a baby stylist of my own.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always been drawn to hair, especially hair color. As a kid, going to the salon was one of my absolute favorite things. There was just something about the energy, the transformation, the confidence boost. At home, we kept things budget-friendly, so most of our color moments happened right in the dining room—shoutout to my mom for the cap highlights! Honestly, my mom was the blueprint. She rocked vibrant red hair for years, and I still don’t know what her natural color actually was. Her “let’s have fun with our hair” energy rubbed off on me big time.

Her approach to hair was always fun and expressive, and she fully encouraged me to play around and try new things. That freedom to express myself 100% shaped my love for color and creativity. Fast forward to today and now I’m the one doing her hair. She’s upgraded from box dye red to a full head of rainbow vivids, and it’s such a fun full-circle moment every time she’s in my chair.

I’ve also always been a little louder, a little goofier, and totally in love with people. I truly enjoy connecting with others, so it makes sense that being in this industry became the perfect blend of all the things I love. I get to create beautiful transformations, have deep (and sometimes hilarious) convos, and build real relationships with my clients. It’s honestly the best.

These days, I specialize in lived-in color, whether that’s soft naturals or bold vivids. I chose this specialty because, for me personally, I don’t want to be in a salon chair every 6 weeks. Life is busy. Who has time for that? I love the idea of creating beautiful, dimensional color that grows out seamlessly and still looks amazing months later. Most of my clients feel the same way, so it’s a win-win for everyone. I set people up to come in just 2–4 times a year, and I make it very clear from the start: “Love ya, but we don’t need to see each other more than every 12 weeks.”

As for lived-in vivids, that passion started with my own hair. I wore vivid colors myself for years, and that naturally attracted other people who wanted to try them too. There’s an automatic trust when someone sees you rocking bold hair. They know you get it. That’s what makes it so fun: helping clients find a color that feels true to them, whether it’s bright and bold or soft and sun-kissed.

What really sets me apart, though, is the experience. I’m real with my clients. I’m not here to gatekeep or overbook or upsell you into stuff you don’t need. I believe in transparency, personalized plans, and making your hair work for your life, not the other way around. I care about the health of your hair, your budget, your time, and your confidence. I want every single person who sits in my chair to feel seen, heard, and taken care of.

One of the best feelings is when a client looks in the mirror and says, “This is exactly what I wanted.” That moment makes everything worth it. Hair is so much more than hair. It’s part of who we are. And I never take for granted that people trust me to be a part of that.

I’m also not above spying on you through the salon window while you take your fresh-hair selfies in the car. It’s fine. I’m just proud.

Another huge part of what drives me is the desire to pay it forward. I had an incredible mentor when I was fresh out of cosmetology school. Someone who was insanely talented, honest in the best way, and who genuinely took the time to teach me. She gave me the foundation that shaped me into the stylist I am today, and I’ll always be grateful for that. Watching her lead with so much care and intention made me realize how much I want to do the same. One of my biggest goals is to one day mentor a baby stylist and create that same kind of supportive, empowering environment for them. This industry can be tough, but with the right guidance, it can also be magic.

At the end of the day, I’m here to help people feel like their best selves—through color, conversation, and connection. Whether it’s a full transformation or a little refresh, it’s never just hair. And if you’re looking for someone who’s going to keep it real, keep it fun, and make sure your color looks amazing 12 weeks later… you just might be in the right place.

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

Well, I started cosmetology school in August of 2019. And we all know what happened in 2020… Suddenly everything was shut down, and my education was flipped upside down. Classes moved online for three months, which, let’s be real, is not ideal when you’re supposed to be learning a hands-on craft. Watching haircutting videos on Zoom isn’t exactly the same as actually cutting hair.

When we were finally allowed back into the building, the school was still closed to the public. That meant no real clients. So out of the full 15 months I spent in cosmetology school, I only had about two months where I was actually doing hair on real people. That was it. No joke.

I graduated, passed state board, and was officially licensed, while also feeling like I had no idea what I was doing. I was scared. I knew I needed help. So when I started my apprenticeship, my mentor Mariah had her hands full with me. Luckily, she was so technical and so patient. She poured into me with tons of one-on-one education, helping me catch up on everything I didn’t get to practice in school. Even things I thought I “knew” in theory turned out to be so much harder in real life. The execution, the technique, the problem-solving—it’s a different game when you’re holding the shears yourself.

To build my confidence and get as much hands-on practice as possible, I offered services at a discounted rate just to get people in my chair. I knew I needed reps. And even though I was licensed, it was terrifying to touch someone’s hair knowing I didn’t feel confident yet. But I showed up, worked hard, asked questions, and just kept going.

Over time, that confidence did come. So did the skill. And eventually, I started to feel like a real stylist, not just someone trying to be one. I’ll never forget those early days because they taught me how to push through fear, how to ask for help, and how to believe in myself before the results showed up. And honestly? That scrappy beginning made the wins feel so much sweeter.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For me, the most effective strategy I’ve used to grow my clientele has been taking the time to have really thorough, intentional consultations.

I know that might sound simple, but it’s truly the foundation of everything. It’s what builds instant trust and sets the tone for the entire experience. When someone feels heard and understood, and like their stylist actually gets what they want, they’re not only more likely to come back, they’re also way more likely to refer their friends. It’s how I built my books from the ground up.

The services that go the smoothest and leave everyone feeling good always begin with a strong consultation. I make space to ask about their hair history, lifestyle, how they style (or don’t style) their hair, how often they wash it, and what kind of maintenance they’re realistically up for. Because if I don’t understand the way they live, I can’t recommend hair that will actually work for them.

One thing I will never skip is asking for inspo pictures. Visuals are everything. If they don’t have any, I’ll pull up my phone and we’ll scroll together. Because what someone describes and what they actually mean can be two different things, and I’d rather take the extra 3–5 minutes to align now than spend 3 hours stressing if we’re on the same page.

A perfect example is when someone shows me a haircut pic of perfectly styled, flippy, bouncy blowout layers—but then says they never heat style or even own a round brush. I use that moment to gently clarify: “This haircut will only look like this if it’s styled this way. If you love the style more than the cut itself, let’s find something that suits how you actually wear your hair.” It’s not about shaming their habits. It’s about being real and helping them get the best results for their life.

The truth is: the questions you skip in the beginning are the ones you’ll be asking yourself mid-service when your stomach’s in knots and you’re hoping they don’t hate it. That’s why I say: Ask it all up front. Even if it feels repetitive or obvious. A clear consultation doesn’t just protect the result—it protects your energy, your confidence, and your reputation.

I’ve been behind the chair for 5 years now, and I can say with confidence that this is why I haven’t had any horror story client experiences. That’s not luck. That’s the result of leading with communication, honesty, and intention. Clients can feel when you’re confident and grounded in your process, and they can definitely feel when you’re anxious. And when you’re calm and clear, they feel safe and taken care of.

So no, it’s not a fancy marketing strategy or an Instagram hack. It’s human connection. It’s doing the groundwork in the first 10 minutes so that the next few hours can flow smoothly. Under-promise, over-deliver, and earn the kind of trust that turns first-timers into lifers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marleefloreshair.comb.works
• Instagram: marleeflores.hair
• Other: Tiktok: marleefloreshair

Image Credits

Isabella Raquel