We recently connected with Megan Carlisle and have shared our conversation below.

Megan , appreciate you joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

A Hard Lesson in Business: How a $65,000 Mistake Nearly Broke Us

When we started our company, we were determined to build something sustainable, even if it meant starting small. Every order came from our savings, and we focused on creating beautiful hair colors, textures, and extensions while staying out of debt. Slowly but surely, we began gaining traction.

About nine months to a year in, we hit what felt like a breakthrough moment. We saved every penny we made, and with excitement—and admittedly, a little fear—we placed our first big order: $65,000 worth of inventory. It felt like a turning point for our business. What we didn’t know was that it would also become one of the most difficult moments in our journey.

The manufacturer we’d been working with bait-and-switched us. They delivered hair of significantly lower quality than what we’d previously received. We didn’t realize this at first. It took 4-6 months for the problem to surface when stylists started installing the hair, and their clients experienced matting and bunching after just one or two washes. Our phones were ringing with complaints. Stylists were furious. I remember sitting in my office, heart pounding, thinking, What are we going to do?

We had two options: fold the company or confront the issue head-on. The stress was overwhelming—I cried more than I’d like to admit—but we weren’t ready to give up. We decided to fly to Asia, meet with the manufacturers face-to-face, and try to make things right.

The trip was grueling. Days of confrontational conversations led nowhere. The manufacturer refused to take responsibility, and we realized we weren’t going to see a dime of that $65,000 again. It was devastating. But instead of giving up, we got to work. Over the next few weeks, we interviewed and toured multiple manufacturers. Finally, we found one that aligned with our values: ethically sourced hair, fair treatment of employees, and a guarantee of quality. They even committed to remaking any hair that didn’t meet our standards.

Rebuilding our company wasn’t easy. We had to regain the trust of stylists who had lost faith in us, and some clients never came back. But we stood firm in our commitment to quality, and slowly, our reputation grew. Today, we’ve built a multi-million-dollar company that proudly stands by the quality of our hair.

And what about all that low-quality hair sitting in our garage? We couldn’t afford to throw it away, but we also refused to sell it. Instead, we used it as practice hair in our education programs. Stylists learned our methods on it, and we were upfront about its quality, ensuring it was only used for skill-building.

This experience taught me some of the hardest but most valuable lessons in business: never compromise on quality, always stand by your values, and no matter how tough things get, there’s always a way forward if you’re willing to fight for it.

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

About Me and My Journey
Hello! My name is [Your Name], and I’ve spent nearly two decades in the beauty industry, evolving from a hairstylist behind the chair to a speaker, coach, and business strategist. My career began with a passion for creativity and helping people feel confident and beautiful, which quickly grew into a mission to empower others to succeed both personally and professionally. Over the years, I’ve built a multi-million dollar brand, Platform Hair Co., which combines luxury hair extensions, top-tier education, and coaching programs to help hairstylists nationwide scale their businesses and thrive.

My journey has been one of constant evolution. As I transitioned from working behind the chair to coaching and educating others, I realized my true calling was in leadership and strategy. Beyond hairstyling, I’ve expanded my expertise to help businesses improve their training, culture, and profitability through tailored leadership development and strengths-based coaching.

What We Offer and the Problems We Solve
At Platform Hair Co., our offerings include:

Luxury Hair Extensions: High-quality extensions that meet the needs of stylists and clients seeking transformative results.
Comprehensive Education: Courses and programs that combine technical excellence with business mastery, such as our online course designed to help stylists implement proven sales strategies during consultations.
Coaching for Growth: Business coaching programs for hairstylists and small businesses, helping them reclaim their time, grow their income, and build sustainable systems.
Leadership and Business Strategy Training: I now work with businesses beyond the beauty industry, providing insights into leadership development, employee training, and multiple intelligences to align teams and improve workplace culture.
I’ve also stepped into public speaking, sharing my journey and strategies at events and conferences. My talks focus on unlocking strengths, scaling businesses, and building empowered teams. Whether addressing hairstylists, small businesses, or major corporations, my goal is to inspire transformative change.

What Sets Me Apart
What truly sets me apart is the fusion of creativity, business acumen, and leadership expertise. I approach every project—whether it’s coaching an individual hairstylist or consulting with a company—through the lens of alignment. By leveraging multiple intelligences and strengths-based strategies, I help clients uncover their unique potential and align their work with their natural abilities.

I’m also deeply passionate about training and leadership development. My experience as a speaker and strategist has taught me that businesses thrive when their teams are empowered to excel. Through customized training programs, I help leaders create environments that foster collaboration, innovation, and growth.

Additionally, my sales process is world-renowned and adaptable to any industry, making it a cornerstone of my coaching and consulting work. It’s not just about closing sales—it’s about creating meaningful connections and delivering value.

What I’m Most Proud Of
One of my proudest achievements is the impact I’ve had on individuals and businesses. Seeing a stylist or entrepreneur transform their mindset, break through plateaus, and achieve financial and personal success is deeply fulfilling. For example, one of my hairstylist clients grossed $300,000 last year, far exceeding the industry average.

I’m also proud of my evolution as a speaker and strategist. Being able to share my story and insights with larger audiences—whether through keynotes, workshops, or consulting engagements—has been a rewarding way to extend my impact. I’ve worked with teams to implement leadership strategies that improve communication, alignment, and profitability, helping businesses of all sizes achieve their goals.

What I Want People to Know About Us
Platform Hair Co. is more than a business—it’s a movement built on empowerment and alignment. For hairstylists, we provide the tools and support to dream bigger, achieve more, and work smarter. For businesses, we offer leadership and training programs that unlock the potential of their teams and create sustainable growth.

For those considering working with us, know that everything we do is rooted in authenticity and a genuine desire to help you succeed. Whether you’re a hairstylist looking to scale, a business leader seeking stronger teams, or someone in need of coaching to unlock your strengths, you’ll find a partner in us who is committed to your transformation.

Any advice for managing a team?

For me, managing a team and keeping morale high starts with understanding people on a deeper level. At our company, we have everyone take a Multiple Intelligences Test to identify their dominant strengths. This helps us tailor how we teach, communicate, and support their growth based on how their brain operates. When people feel seen and valued for their unique strengths, they thrive.

We’re also big believers in creating a positive culture. Feedback is always delivered using the sandwich technique: a compliment, the improvement needed, and another compliment. This keeps communication constructive and encouraging. We set clear goals, offer consistent education and training, and even have a book club to promote personal and professional growth.

At the heart of it all is making sure every team member feels empowered, supported, and aligned with their role. When you invest in your team’s success and well-being, they’re not just more productive—they’re genuinely happy to be part of what you’re building.

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

Absolutely! A few resources have profoundly influenced my management style and entrepreneurial mindset:

Books:
-Atomic Habits by James Clear: This book helped me understand the power of small, consistent actions and how they compound over time, both in personal growth and team management.
-Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: A raw and inspiring story about resilience and the relentless pursuit of a dream—this book reminds me of the grit and vision required to build something meaningful.
-Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: This reinforced the idea that leaders are accountable for everything within their organization, and it’s been a cornerstone of how I lead my team.
-The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday: This book shifted my perspective on challenges, teaching me to see obstacles as opportunities for growth.
-Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: Her focus on vulnerability and courage in leadership has deeply impacted how I foster trust and connection within my team.

Podcast:
How I Built This by Guy Raz: Hearing the real-life stories of entrepreneurs and their journeys is incredibly motivating and full of valuable insights.

Personal Practices:
Our company’s Multiple Intelligences Test and alignment process have been instrumental in how I approach leadership and team growth. By understanding each team member’s dominant strengths and how their brain operates, I can better communicate, teach, and support them.
We also prioritize education and training, goal-setting, and even have a book club to foster both personal and professional growth within our team.
These resources and practices have shaped my philosophy of leadership, emphasizing resilience, accountability, and the power of aligning with one’s strengths.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://platformhairextensions.com
• Instagram: Megmeghair, Platformhairco, Platformhairsalon
• Facebook: Platform Hair Co
• Youtube: PlatformHairCo
• Other: Tik tok- Platformhairco