We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Miki Solot. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Miki below.
Miki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
When I moved to the United States from Japan about 20 years ago, it was my sister-in-law who gave me the opportunity to work in an American beauty salon. At that time, my husband’s family went around asking various beauty salons if I could work there, and I remember how my heart was really warmed when I heard that, and it eased some of my anxiety about moving to this country.
At that time, my English conversation skills were really poor and I wasn’t confident in speaking, so my husband accompanied me to the interview.
Of course, there was no way that my interviews would go well in that state. Except for one beauty salon.
The salon owner was a very pleasant and friendly person. I came to the interview with my husband (as an interpreter), and he listened seriously to what I had to say and said the following to me: This country was founded by immigrants. It’s not a big deal if you can’t speak English now. The most important thing is to use what you learned in your home country here. If you’re not confident in your English, you can start by working as my assistant, and once you get used to English, you can make your own customers and start working.
Now, as a salon owner, I am not sure if I would hire someone who does not speak the language well, but thanks to my husband’s family and the salon owner, I was able to take the first step in my career in a new country.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Before becoming a hairstylist, I studied graphic design and illustration for several years at an art school in Nagoya.
I made my hairstylist debut in my hometown of Hamamatsu City in 1999.
After moving to the U.S. in 2003, I worked at several hair salons in Philadelphia, including one of the city’s first organic hair salons—although there are quite a few now.
Working at that organic salon, along with the fact that my family’s salon in Japan was also a natural and organic hair salon, influenced me deeply. I became increasingly interested in a more natural approach to achieving healthy hair with minimal damage.
Currently, I run a private hair salon called Atelier M, where I value the concept of “individual design.”
If needed, I spend 30 minutes or more on consultation to ensure that clients leave the salon with a smile.
I believe one of the most important skills for a hairstylist is the ability to truly understand what a client is looking for.
Many of my clients lately have shared concerns about increasing gray hair, changes in hair texture due to age or stress, and thinning hair.
That’s why I focus not only on the “now” but also help clients move toward their ideal hairstyle in the near future through personalized care.
This includes recommending proper hair and scalp care routines and suggesting chemical services when appropriate.
I constantly strive to keep up with techniques in hair cutting, coloring and perming to meet the needs of a wide range of clients.
I also participate in training sessions to refresh my skills and knowledge when necessary.
Every year when I return to Japan, I attend seminars and classes to update my tools and techniques for running my business effectively.
To remain a sought-after hairstylist, I make it a priority to stay curious and never stop learning.
One of the popular trends in the U.S. recently is scalp care, and I offer a Japanese Head Spa as part of my salon services.
Unlike the high-pressure swinging shower massages you often see in social media videos, my treatment involves direct acupressure massage on the scalp using products I’ve personally experienced effective results with.
I use a selection of products—including scalp lotions infused with dozens of minerals—to deeply cleanse the scalp, removing sebum and styling residue from the pores and improving the environment around the hair roots.
To help nutrients reach the follicles, I perform a circulation-boosting massage that addresses various hair concerns.
In addition to scalp care, I also apply treatments to the hair itself to enhance its beauty and overall condition.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
When I feel that the hairstyle I’ve created perfectly matches what the client was hoping for, it’s an electrifying moment—like a surge of energy running from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
What also makes this job so exciting is that no two people have the exact same hair texture or bone structure.
Even if two clients happen to ask for the same hairstyle, the process is never the same. Every experience is unique, and that makes my work truly enjoyable.
And when the client leaves with a smile—that’s the best feeling in the world.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I’ve never really thought about how people who aren’t creative might perceive my journey as a creator.
However, I have had thoughts about fellow stylists who have, in a sense, stopped moving forward.
For example, those who provide the same hairstyle to returning clients every time, or those who haven’t updated their techniques or knowledge in years and simply go to the salon to do the bare minimum.
Just like fashion, trends exist in hair and makeup as well.
For me, learning about these trends and thinking about how to suggest them to my clients is something I genuinely enjoy.
So, I sometimes find it hard to understand stylists who approach their work like a mechanical routine, without passion or growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atelierm.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miki_atelierm?igsh=bjF4aXdpNm5uMjE2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16xysWCSyE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miki-solot-2472a2251?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=atelier+m+private+hair+salon&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS1027US1037&oq=&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBECMYJxjqAjIHCAAQRRixATIJCAEQIxgnGOoCMgkIAhAjGCcY6gIyDAgDECMYJxjqAhiLAzIJCAQQIxgnGOoCMgwIBRAjGCcY6gIYiwMyDAgGECMYJxjqAhiLAzIMCAcQIxgnGOoCGIsDMgwICBAjGCcY6gIYiwMyDAgJECMYJxjqAhiLAzIMCAoQIxgnGOoCGIsDMgwICxAjGCcY6gIYiwMyDAgMECMYJxjqAhiLAzIMCA0QIxgnGOoCGIsDMgkIDhAjGCcY6gIyCQgPECMYJxjqAjIJCBAQIxgnGOoCMgkIERAjGCcY6gIyCQgSEEUYOxjCA9IBDTExNzg1OTEzOWoxajeoAhOwAgHiAwQYASBf8QWveZnaT7fjkPEFr3mZ2k-345A&hl=ja&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#ebo=0&mpd=editprofile/info
