We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Dianne Rodriguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Michelle Dianne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I decided to become a hairstylist to be in control of my own career, little did I know, it turned into much more. After 15 years in the industry I have come to understand that it’s not always about the money. Making people feel beautiful and confident in their own bodies is much more rewarding! Making people feel accepted! I have a friend that for two years was contemplating cutting her hair short. She was afraid and ashamed because her family had always said that she would not be beautiful if she did. You do not have to have the perfect face or weight to have a fire haircut!!! She finally did it and never looked back!! I too suffered from the same thing as a child artist and now I have been blessed to help others overcome those negative thought and doubts about theirselves that were placed upon them!!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As a child, I was always artistic but never really thought I would have the opportunity to thrive as an artist. Growing up in a rough area with strict factory working parents was not always easy. I was always told art is not a job, not a real job. Unfortunately, I believed my parents. I worked 2 jobs at the age of 15 and was the first in my immediate family to graduate high school. I immediately took a job at a well known factory that paid pretty good money for no college education. After working there and a couple other places I ended up at a German company that made transmission components and I was thriving at least I thought I was. Then the car economy crashed! I was devastated! That was the first time in my life I did not have a job. As a single mother with two kids, I panicked! After coffee with a good friend, he gave me the advice that would change my life forever. He said Michelle, you need a job that no one can fire you from. There was a hair school across the street from my apartment complex and that is where it all started. I never imagined I would do hair for a living, but after attending Paul Mitchell my life had completely changed. My outlook on money had completely changed. It was really hard at first. After all, I was a kid from the ghetto who would hire her. While attending Paul Mitchell I met a lady named Davita Galloway that would forever change my life. The day of my graduation from Hair school she invited me to do African fashion week in New York!!! We work together on many projects for different photographers. She introduced me to many Charlotte artist and a whole family of people that I still love and respect to this day. I was then offered a job to work for Beauty Asylum Charlotte, which was huge for my career! And just like that after a big snowball effect 15 years later, 40+ publications, exhibits, and who knows how many weddings I am still going strong. I have worked in many different types of salons and felt that I never really fit in! I was too white, too “ghetto” too fat, too load! I now have my own space in a Sola Salon Suite. My goal is to make everyone, every style, every color and every human being feel welcome and beautiful!!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
My first salon suite unfortunately did not leave the door unlocked for walkin clients. I had to actually convince the owner to let me sign a lease due to the lack of clients I had. I was determined! I rolled the red carpet out for every client every time!!! I asked if they knew anyone else that needed services. I did a referral program. I also handed out free haircut coupons. I just knew if I could get them in, they would stay!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I really thought I was going to lose my mind during COVID. I thought my career would end! That is when I turned to my inner artist! Even though I couldn’t work, I wanted to pour my all into my space. I decided to paint a mural in my studio! I have always wanted one but never had the time or space to do so! I focused on learning more about ingredients. I also got an Intergrated nutrition certification so that I can start making my own products!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @themichellediannesalon
