We recently connected with Molly Black and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Molly, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Perseverance. You have to keep going. The vision you have in your mind that is so difficult to articulate will arrive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been a hairstylist for over three decades and an owner for most of that time, but Gem is different. I didn’t just start it, I reclaimed it. When I bought the business, I uncovered a lot of darkness tied to its past. So I renamed it, rebuilt it, and poured everything I had into creating something better. Gem is now a salon built on integrity, creativity, and the kind of energy you actually want to walk into. That took a lot of time, intention, and money and it was worth every bit of it.

At Gem, we offer high-end hair services with a down to earth vibe. Our stylists are treated as independent, each bringing their own flavor and expertise to the table. What connects us is our shared respect for people, their time, their identity, their autonomy. We believe in honest communication, personalized artistry, and in holding space for clients to feel like themselves, not just look like themselves.

What sets us apart is the vibe. It’s not just about hair. It’s about feeling like you’re in a place that gets you. We work with people going through real life things, transitions, glow-ups, identity shifts and we see it as a privilege to be trusted with that.

What I’m most proud of is the resilience it took to keep this place thriving. Between staff changes, a global pandemic, and landlord drama, Gem has had its share of plot twists. But we’re still here, still evolving, still full of heart, still serving up great hair and real talk in equal measure.

If you’re looking for a salon that’s cool without being cold, skilled without being snobby, and grounded in real-life connection, Gem might be your place.

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

Owning a salon isn’t for the faint of heart and Gem has been through it all. We made it through the pandemic shutdowns, rebuilt from scratch more than once, and weathered major staff changes that could’ve knocked the whole thing sideways. I’ve had landlords switch up deals mid-lease, stylists come and go, and entire seasons where it felt like every part of the business was in flux. But we didn’t fold. We evolved. Every time the industry shifted, every time the world threw something new at us, I made the choice to stay rooted and move forward. We adjusted our structure, refined our team, reimagined what success could look like and we kept showing up. Resilience isn’t always glamorous, but it’s why Gem is still standing, still thriving, and still doing damn good hair in a city that keeps changing.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

Yes, I bought the business that’s now Gem Salon. After taking it over, I quickly realized the previous owner had left behind more than just bad energy, there were serious issues I couldn’t ignore. So I changed the name, rebuilt the brand, and reimagined everything from the ground up. It took time, money, and a lot of tough decisions, but it was worth it. Today, Gem reflects my values, my vision, and the kind of space I believe this industry needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www..gemsalonspa.com
• Instagram: @gem_salon_spa
• Other: @mollyblackstyle (personal Instagram)

Image Credits

@jerad.christopher
@moco.visuals