We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Miranda Goodman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Miranda below.

Hi Miranda, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope to be remembered as not only “the hair girl,” but as a friend, a listening ear when it was needed most, and the one that helped boost your confidence whether it be with your looks or in your life! It has always been my mission to make a difference somehow. With my job, I look at it as so much more than hair, and I truly hope all of my clients feel that from me.

Miranda, 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 am a licensed Cosmetologist and Instructor in Athens, Alabama. I rent my own room at Lemon Salon. I have wanted to do hair my whole life. I love the artistic side and not doing the same thing everyday. I do highlights, balayage, all over colors, so many different haircuts for men and women, and formal styling primarily for weddings. I strive to really listen to my clients. When they feel silly or as if they aren’t making sense with what they are saying I usually say, “no, keep going, I may find a way to help you with that.” Sometimes it’s the simplest style change or texturing technique to give them what they have been searching for. I hope that my personality sets me apart from others. You are my friend in my chair – I want to hear you brag about your career, about your kiddos birthday party, what you are having a hard time with, and I will be a safe space to share life things with – and hope that it helps you in whatever way that may be.

I have a sweet husband I’ve been married to for 6 years and the sweetest little boy that is 4. I hope to be an inspiration to my son to follow his passion whatever that may be, to show what good work ethic and kindness can do for you and others, and the pride that comes along with it all.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My husband was in the Army. We were stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. It was scary and bittersweet leaving all the clients and what business I had. I had built a pretty good clientele. I went back to Cosmetology School to achieve my instructor’s license with the plans to teach in Colorado. I was worried about building clients all the way across the country where nobody knew me so teaching felt like a steady way to work for our time there. I went to Paul Mitchell for my cosmetology license and back there for my instructor’s. That’s the school I wanted to be at in CO but they weren’t hiring… which ended up being great. So, then to the salon it was! I interviewed at so many places and finally found the place for me – that ended up being closest to our house. Illusions Salon was voted number one salon in Colorado Springs! I was so proud to be a part of that team when that happened! Then, in 2019 my husband was deployed, I was pregnant with our son, and I moved back to Alabama and lived with my parents during that time. I went to work back at the salon but wasn’t super busy. I had been gone for 2 years at this point so I wasn’t surprised. I decided to utilize my instructors license and teach as well. Then we moved back to Colorado, the three of us, when Clay got back home. I worked two Saturday’s a month to keep up my skill. I guess to say this all – I feel like what illustrates my resilience is having to start over so many times. I started in Madison, then moved my way to Athens, then to Colorado, back to Athens, back to Colorado, and back to Athens again (OFFICIALLY haha). I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I fell in love, moved across the country, saw so many places and things I never thought I would, and we got to have a year just the 3 of us that was so very special. God works in mysterious ways and he has definitely not let me down yet.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Connections and word of mouth. I totally believe in good Karma. When I left I suggested all of my clients go to a co worker. When I moved back officially I had a stylist friend that actually assisted me one summer that decided to use her degree and pursue a different path. She suggested the same but for her clients to come to me. I had quite a few people come to me when I got back but having those new clients from her was so nice to have right off the bat. I also told my Hubby before coming back that I was going to say yes to new opportunities and maybe get out of my comfort zone. The week we got back I had an old friend, Olivia Sparks, message me saying she needed a hair girl to work weddings with. I love doing formal hair and weddings so of course I said yes. Liv knows a totally different area of clientele than I and really hypes me up and shows off her hair after she leaves the salon with me. Word of mouth is incredible no matter where you are. Be good to everyone, and put out beautiful work and the rest will follow. I have brides from over a year ago that are my regulars in salon and drive over an hour to come see me. It truly is an honor to have such loyal and supportive clients like mine and to have people message me wanting me to do their hair , whether it’s their color or their wedding, without knowing me. It’s the ultimate compliment. It’s also so important to surround yourself with like minded people. The salon I am at is the definition of support and encouragement. One Lemon girl succeeds, it’s a win for us all! It’s not a competition of who goes where. It should be a celebration of one another’s growth! We can all hype one another up and be supportive. You never know what simple connections you make that come back to you. For example, one of my clients from Athens referred her sister in law to me because she happened to live in Colorado Springs like me.. small world! Always stay true to yourself, be kind to one another, trust the process, and have fun doing what you love. If you love your job it isn’t just a job.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @hairbymirandagoodman

Image Credits
Amandalynn photography