We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Mallam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission the drives your brand?
I’ve always had the natural talent to do hair. I really didn’t think that when I switched from an accounting major to business management & marketing that I’d be where I am today. I believe my college education has really helped my career as a hair stylist. I believe there is room for every one and my mission is to teach as many beauty professionals as I can, how to run a successful business. In 13 years, I’ve been able to build a successful business. I have an amble clientele, own a salon and lease suites to other beauty professionals, launched a product line and an educator and mentor to beauty professionals. In the beauty industry, there are so many skilled and gifted individuals in their craft, but not knowledgeable about what it takes to run a profitable salon. It’s my mission to educate and mentor to build more thriving beauty businesses.

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 started doing hair as a little girl. I’d go to the braid shop across the street and watch, then I’d go home and practice on my grandmother’s hair. I started charging people for my hair care services when I was in high school. When I graduated college, I fell into retail management but didn’t like it and decided to enroll in cosmetology school. I offer hair care services and sell my own quality hair care products. I teach my clients how to care for their hair in between salon visits. I provide an upscale, boutique salon studio environment for beauty professionals to lease. I also teach and mentor beauty professionals how to achieve success and financial freedom. I believe what sets me apart is my genuine passion to help others and kind heart. I believe my clients love how I do their hair and they like who I am as a person. I am most proud of having my business affairs in order to purchase an office condo and build it out as a salon. I am also proud of having a business that has thrived through this pandemic and grown in revenue and profits. I am a woman of my word and truly treat others how I’d want to be treated. I have a strong work ethic that truly keeps me ambitious.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
With my crazy work ethic, before I got married, I literally worked 16 hour days. I was making great money so I was very responsible with my money. My credit was excellent. That really helped me when I started my business because I had margin in my finances and I was able to use the extra towards my business. I had also built my business credit and so when it was time to get funding for my salon studios, it was pretty easy. I was able to get several loans and lines of credit on the personal side and in my business name.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I closed on the purchase of my office condo, I went to the city to obtain my certificate of occupancy and was told that I would not be able to use the property as a salon. This came as a total shock because it was no secret what I was using the space for and there were holes the builders had to add to the ground to accommodate plumbing for salon equipment. I learned that I would have to petition a change in the zoning of the area that my property was in. Keep in mind, I was already preparing to open as equipment was being installed, furnishings were arriving, the whole nine yards. It took about 3 months to get the issue resolved. During that time, I had to take care of my clients at my home because I couldn’t afford to pay rent where I was leasing at and the mortgage to my new space. I had to attend city council meetings and speak on why I should be able to keep my property and use it for what my initial intention was. I even had investors calling me to see if I wanted to sell it as they “heard” I would not be able to use it as a salon. It was a nightmare. I created a crowd funding campaign, made t shirts to sell all to help raise money to help through this issue I did not see coming. With the support of my family, friends, and clients, I was able to get the zoning of the area changed to accommodate the use of my office condo as salon studios.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pamperedtresses.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pamperedtressesbymelissa www.instagram.com/melissamallam www.instagram.com/pampermesalonstudios
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/pamperedtressesbymelissa
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/melissandubilo
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/pampermestudios

Image Credits
Product Photos- Rachel Bell Creative Professional head shots – Kauwaune Burton Studios Salon Photos – Tymage Photography