We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Martin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my salon wasn’t something that hit me all at once—it grew from years of working behind the chair and realizing that something was missing, both for myself and for my clients. I’d spent years pouring myself into my craft, working in salons that were fine on the surface, but never quite aligned with the kind of experience I wanted to create. I started to notice how transactional things felt—how rushed clients were, how stressed stylists were, and how beauty sometimes came at the cost of well-being. It didn’t sit right with me.
Funny enough, I came up with the name Hair Nirvana back in beauty school when I was still in high school. It was just a dream then—a playful, idealistic vision. But once I actually started working in salons, I convinced myself I didn’t want to be an owner. I thought it would be too much pressure, too risky. So for eight years, I followed other people’s rules. I did things their way. And over time, I realized that as much as I loved the work itself, I was outgrowing the environments I was in.
Eventually, it just became clear: if I wanted to offer the kind of experience I believed in, I had to create it myself. Starting my own business was scary, but it also felt like coming home to an old part of myself. I wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but I knew my approach—being values-driven, truly client-focused, and uncompromising in the details—was rare. I believed there were people craving something more thoughtful and human, and I was finally ready to give it to them
Natalie, 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’m Natalie, the founder and stylist behind Hair Nirvana/ Natalie Martin Hair. I’ve been in the hair industry for almost a decade, but my love for this craft started much earlier as a middle schooler cutting my own emo bangs and learning to braid my hair!!—Back in high school, when I was in beauty school dreaming up what my future might look like, I knew I wanted to create something meaningful with hair. I just didn’t know it would one day become my own salon.
For the first eight years of my career, I worked in a variety of fast paced, double booking, high end salon environments, honing my technical skills, learning what I loved, and also learning what didn’t sit right with me. I saw how often beauty services became rushed, impersonal, or stressful—for both clients and stylists. And I realized I wanted to do things differently. That’s what led me to start Hair Nirvana—a space built with intention, care, and a deep respect for both the art of hair and the people in my chair.
At Hair Nirvana, I offer customized hair services that go beyond surface-level beauty. I specialize in modern color work, low-maintenance lived-in styles, and cuts that are tailored to each individual’s lifestyle and personality. But what really sets my salon apart is the experience: it’s calm, one-on-one, and designed to help clients feel safe, seen, and celebrated. I’m not interested in rushing people in and out the door. I want them to leave feeling lighter—not just because they love their hair, but because they had a moment to breathe and feel taken care of.
My brand is built on authenticity, connection, and trust. I believe in creating a relationship with each client, in listening deeply, and in always continuing to grow my craft. I also take pride in running a space that reflects my values—where rest is respected, boundaries are honored, and no one has to perform or shrink themselves to feel beautiful.
What I’m most proud of is the community that’s formed around Hair Nirvana. It’s not just about hair—it’s about healing, self-expression, and reclaiming space in a world that often asks us to rush or conform. This salon is my love letter to everyone who’s ever felt overlooked in traditional beauty spaces. It’s a place to come home to yourself.
How’d you meet your business partner?
I met my business partner, Blakley, back in 2016 when we were both working at different ‘Blo’ locations, but ended up paired together for a braid bar gig in the VIP section at ACL. I had just moved to the area a few months before and didn’t know many people yet, but during our four-hour shift, we immediately clicked—vibing over braids, music, and just having a great time. After our shift ended, we ended up hanging out the rest of the night and stayed connected from there.
Blakley eventually moved to Houston for several years, but we reconnected in the summer of 2024 and picked up right where we left off—this time, meeting up to talk about the hair industry, branding, salon experiences, and all the things we were passionate about. At the time, he was already working out of his own suite, and I was feeling stuck, still looking for a better salon fit. I honestly still had no intention of opening my own space—it just felt like too much pressure and responsibility. But Blakley saw something in me and kept encouraging me, saying we could create something special if we did it together.
Our values around client care, creativity, and salon culture aligned so well that I finally said yes. We opened our shared suite in January 2025, and it’s been a blast ever since. We balance each other out, support each other, and have built a space that feels so true to who we both are—not just as stylists, but as people
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I think what’s really helped build my reputation is how much I genuinely care—not just about how people look when they leave my chair, but how they feel while they’re in it. I listen deeply. I remember their stories. I take thorough notes on their formulas, haircuts, and even little details they mention, so we can build on that history together. It creates continuity and trust.
Many of my longest-term clients feel like family now. We’ve been through so much together—laughing, crying, celebrating, grieving. I’ve attended their weddings and funerals. I’ve held space for them in hard moments and shared joy in the good ones. Those bonds mean everything to me, and I think people can feel that.
At the end of the day, people remember how you made them feel. And I hope everyone who sits in my chair walks away feeling cared for, understood, and valued—not just as a client, but as a whole person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Stylingnat.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: Stylingnat
- Facebook: Natalie martin
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Stylingnat?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=ef893ba2-6eaf-4805-9b39-494bfecfab3a
Image Credits
@paigenphoto
@lewis_and_line