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

Hi Michele, thanks for joining 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.

For over 20 years, I had built a career in corporate sales within the professional beauty industry. It was safe, stable, and predictable—but I realized that stability was also limiting my ability to truly make an impact.

I took a leap of faith, walking away from the security of a large corporate role to join a startup, Alinea Hair USA, because I believed in its mission to innovate and empower stylists—not just creatively, but financially. It was risky. Startups don’t come with guarantees. But that risk opened doors I never imagined.

Now, that leap has evolved into so much more. With Alinea and my venture Ledger & Land, we’re just starting to help stylists take their hard-earned income and turn it into real opportunities for financial freedom. And I’m excited to collaborate with innovative thinkers like Lauren at Tap This Money, because together, we’re showing stylists that their craft can open doors to long-term wealth and stability.

Michele, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve spent over two decades in professional salon and cosmetic sales, and while I’ve loved every part of this industry, I’ve also seen its challenges up close. Stylists are some of the hardest-working, most talented professionals I know, yet many struggle with pricing, profitability, and building true financial security for themselves and their families.

After years in a large corporate role, I made the bold decision to step away from the safety of that structure to join Alinea Hair USA, a startup with a vision that aligned perfectly with mine—empowering stylists not just creatively, but financially. As Vice President of Sales, I lead national and international initiatives focused on innovation, sustainability, and education. We offer high-quality, ethically sourced hair extension solutions that help salon owners elevate their craft while boosting revenue. But more importantly, we give them the tools and strategies to build stronger, more profitable businesses.

That leap of faith into a startup has now evolved into a bigger mission for me personally. Alongside my fiancé, I co-founded Ledger & Land, where we’re just beginning to help stylists and other service professionals turn their hard-earned income into real estate investments and long-term wealth opportunities. As a licensed Realtor with MLS Premier Properties and a Crypto Certified Agent through Propy, I’m bridging beauty, real estate, and even cryptocurrency to open new doors that many stylists never thought possible.

What sets me apart is that I’ve been on the front lines of this industry for 20+ years—I know the struggles stylists face because I’ve seen them firsthand. My work isn’t just about selling products; it’s about creating pathways for stylists to transform their financial futures while doing what they love.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built my career around helping others succeed. Whether it’s through innovative extension solutions with Alinea, education that empowers stylists to charge what they’re worth, or helping them take their first step toward homeownership, my message is the same: your talent and time are valuable, and your financial future matters just as much as your craft.

I’m also incredibly excited about partnerships with innovative thinkers like Lauren at Tap This Money, where we’re working to bring stylists the financial tools and guidance they’ve been missing for too long. My goal is to show every stylist that wealth and stability aren’t out of reach—it just takes the right education, resources, and someone in your corner who truly believes in your potential.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Resources That Shaped My Leadership & Entrepreneurial Philosophy
My leadership style has been deeply influenced by my upbringing, rooted in biblical teachings about humility, service, and stewardship. I believe leadership is about lifting others up and creating space for them to succeed—a principle that has guided every decision I make as a leader and entrepreneur.

Over the years, I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from thought leaders who challenge traditional views of leadership and purpose:

Simon Sinek’s work on “Start With Why” and servant leadership has shaped how I lead teams with vision and purpose rather than authority and control.

Jordan Peterson’s teachings on responsibility and personal growth have reminded me that leadership starts with self-mastery and setting a strong example for others.

Les Brown’s “How Much Time Do You Have Left?” video is a constant reminder to take bold action, not waste opportunities, and lead with urgency and passion.

Matthew Kelly’s “How Do You See the World” encourages me to see the best in people, focus on potential over limitations, and build teams where every individual feels valued and capable of greatness.

These influences have given me a leadership philosophy rooted in service, accountability, and vision—one where success isn’t just measured in metrics, but in how many people you help grow and thrive along the way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A Story of Resilience – Michele Stokes
There was a pivotal moment in my corporate career that, at the time, felt like one of the hardest professional challenges I’d ever faced. I had delivered strong results, exceeded expectations, and poured my energy into growing the business. Yet, due to internal politics and personality conflicts with a leader who, frankly, felt threatened by my success, the decision was made to “move in another direction.”

In that moment, it felt unfair and deeply personal. But what I see now, looking back, is that it was a necessary redirection. What seemed like a setback actually opened the door for everything I’m doing today. Had that chapter not closed, I may never have taken the leap to join Alinea Hair, where I’ve been able to make a real difference for stylists. I may never have started Ledger & Land or stepped into real estate, helping service providers build wealth and security for their future.

That experience taught me resilience isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about using it as fuel to create a better path forward. What felt like a loss then turned out to be the biggest win of my life, because it pushed me toward my true purpose. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alineahair.com /www.mlspremierproperties.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-stokes-907670160/