We recently connected with Merlande Petithomme and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Merlande, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

As a first generation Haitian-American and Master Hairstylist, my mission is two-fold: 1) Affirm that you can be successful in a career that’s not the Caribbean cultural norm and 2) Show women who are dealing with hair loss that all hope is not lost and that they can still be the most beautiful version of themselves.

Coming from a Caribbean household, a career as a hairstylist was not a respected profession. You were expected to be a doctor, lawyer, or nurse. I still remember telling my parents when I was a child that I wasn’t going to college and instead wanted to become a hairstylist (that did not go over well at all). However, hair is not only my passion but truly a gift from God. So even after completing my bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University, I still went back and obtained my cosmetology license.

This gift has enabled me to showcase my hair skills and hair art on a global platform like Netflix, win countless awards, and be featured in publications like Essence, Allure, Variety, Marie Claire, and more.

It’s also given me the opportunity to transform and uplift women across the world through hair. As someone who has dealt with hair loss issues stemming from childhood, I understand first hand when my hair loss clients come to me not sure of what can be done.

This compelled me to get my certification as a Hair Loss Practitioner. Seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces when I’m able to create a custom wig unit or provide some treatment alternatives, lets me know I’m fulfilling my mission and purpose.

Merlande, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As an award-winning Master Hairstylist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, wig maker, educator, and competing stylist—I knew from a very young age that I was destined to be a hairstylist. I’m a first generation Haitian-American raised in Lakeland, FL who would spend my summers as a child coming up with new hairstyles for my dolls. By the time I turned 15, I was running a “salon” out of my parents’ garage where I offered services like box braids, finger waves and the oh so popular microwave ponytails.

Fast forward to adulthood, my continued passion for all things hair has led me to competing in hair shows across the country which is where I experienced one of my biggest career highs thus far—being featured on the hit Netflix docuseries, We Are the Champions. I’m spotlighted in episode 3, Fantasy Hairstyling. Not only was I able to showcase my hair art on a global platform but viewers also got to see me showcase my heritage and speak on how it has impacted me on becoming who I am today. From my model’s vibrant and colorful costume to the larger than life fleur-de-lis hair sculpture—all of it told my story. Needless to say, this “Haitian-American girl” showed up, showed out and won the competition!

I’m also the proud owner of Platinum Salon by Merlande® in Sandy Springs, GA. It’s a full-service salon catering to all hair types and textures. At the salon, I offer a range of hair care services including hair extensions, sew-ins, silk presses, natural hairstyling, coloring, bridal services, and more.

However, I’m best known for my custom wig units. These wigs are crafted using my Cheve Platinum® line of luxury hair extensions. I fulfill client requests from all over the country and internationally for my wigs.

Most of my wig clients are women who currently suffer from hair loss—whether it be from alopecia or cancer. They are seeking my services because they have not found anyone who is able to create a custom and realistic wig unit, leaving them feeling hopeless and defeated at times.

When my clients try on their custom wig unit for the first time, most if not all of them get very emotional. They tell me how the wig looks like it grew out of their scalp or how they finally feel like themselves (and sometimes an even better version)!

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

The biggest story on my journey so far that shows my resilience is me choosing to take a risk and bet on myself. Prior to opening my salon in 2016, I was the top performing Master Stylist at The Salon by InStyle inside of JCPenney in Tallahassee, FL. I would be booked months in advance. However, I knew I wanted more. So left, and moved to Atlanta with no salon, no clients, no nothin! I faced so many challenges along the way. There were plenty of times where I wanted to give up and go back to what was familiar.

It took some time but I was able to slowly make a name for myself by networking and executing the marketing strategy my marketing team had developed for me. I started landing projects for magazine spreads, corporate campaigns, films, celebrity hair, and more. I’m just so glad I didn’t give up on myself and instead chose to fight and turn my dreams into a reality.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest pivot I’ve ever had to do was shift my business model due to the pandemic. Like so many others in the beauty industry, we were severely impacted by the pandemic. Having to close my salon meant needing to find other ways to increase revenue for the business.

For me it was increasing the promotion and awareness of my custom wig units I was creating for those who were now working from home. I was able to quickly set up a fully virtual online wig consultation process and would have the wigs delivered to clients in a matter of weeks. I’d then have them mail the wig units to me to perform any maintenance needed, same as if they were coming to the salon for a shampoo and styling service. Baby I would mail those wigs with curls clipped up in a bonnet…lol. Being able to make that pivot gave me the ability to keep my business afloat through some unprecedented times.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.merlande.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themerlande/
• Other: TikTok: @themerlande

Image Credits
LaJoy Photography Antoine Stephenson Photography Kareem Quow Photography Velma Joseph