Studio Mae

Staying comfortable in a salon is costing you more than you think.

It can look like being busy all week but still feeling capped on income. It can look like having clients you love but not being able to give them the experience you wish you could in your own space. It can look like a schedule that is “fine” but never actually yours. And it can look like working in an environment you have simply gotten used to, but that no longer matches the level of your work.

The longer you stay, the more normal it all starts to feel.

But comfort in this industry is not just emotional, it is financial too.

It is the difference between raising your prices or staying where it feels safe. It is the difference between building real flexibility or working around someone else’s system. It is the difference between creating a client experience that just gets by or one that allows you to confidently charge more because the environment supports it.

And slowly, without noticing it, comfort becomes the reason growth stops.

Not because you are not capable. But because it feels easier to stay than to make a change.

At some point, you have to ask what that comfort is actually costing you.

Did you know most salon suite buildings are developed by real estate investors, not beauty professionals?

There is nothing wrong with that, but it does shape what gets prioritized.

When the focus is filling studios, layout, and maximizing square footage, the service side of the experience often gets overlooked. Things like how a client feels walking in or how a stylist moves through a full day behind the chair do not always make it into the design.

When you have worked in the industry, you cannot ignore those things because they are the day-to-day reality of the business.

A lot of spaces are built as investments first, not from a deep understanding of the beauty industry or a focus on elevating the experience inside of it.

That difference is what you feel even if you cannot always explain it.

The beauty industry is moving toward more intentional spaces and it makes sense. Life already feels loud, busy, and overstimulating. People are craving connection, calm environments, and experiences that actually make them feel taken care of.

Clients don’t just want a service anymore. They want privacy, peace, and genuine connection in the chair. The environment matters more than ever.

Behind the chair vs behind your own door.

One day you’re working within someone else’s space working behind the chair… and the next, you’re deciding what happens behind your own door.

A rare opening is currently available at Studio Mae for the right hairstylist. DM to learn more!

I still think about the version of me working as a commission stylist.

I was proud of her. I worked hard, built a clientele, did everything I was “supposed” to do.

But deep down, I knew I wasn’t meant to stay there.

So I took the risk and went out on my own to become an independent stylist and that decision changed everything.

It taught me that risks are scary, but they’re so worth it. They stretch you and they change you.

Even as an independent stylist renting a chair, I still felt it… that pull toward something bigger. I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart. I genuinely get excited when I hear someone is starting their own business.

Then came the biggest leap yet.

My husband Egli and I created Studio Mae. We invested everything into building a space for independent beauty professionals to have something of their own. It was a real risk, with no guarantees it would work.

Now I get to watch women take that same leap, betting on themselves and building successful businesses inside these walls.

And if you’re feeling that pull too… that sense that you’re ready for something more in your business, don’t ignore it. Studio Mae was built for that next step.

There are a very limited number of studios available right now. If you’re ready to explore what your next chapter could look like, DM me “Studio” and I’ll send you the details.

Some of the women who make Studio Mae so special!
We make it a point to connect outside of work when we can, and dinner last night was such a nice way to do that. Not everyone was able to make it, but it was a great night together!

Your studio isn’t just where you work. It’s part of your client experience.

And when you’re working with a smaller space, every choice matters.

• Window treatments
They can make your space feel finished instead of bare. It’s one of the easiest ways to elevate your studio without a big investment.

• Use your vertical space intentionally
You don’t have a ton of square footage, so your walls matter. Adding shelves, decor, or mounted storage helps draw the eye up and keeps your space feeling open instead of cluttered.

• Create a drop zone for your clients
A hook, chair, or small bench gives your client a clear place to put their things. It seems small, but it makes the whole experience feel more thoughtful and comfortable right away.

At the end of the day, it’s not about having more in your space. It’s about making smart, intentional decisions with the studio you have.

Shoutout to for designing her studio so beautifully!

Not every space is designed with your brand in mind.

What most people overlook is this:
your client is experiencing your brand before they ever sit in your chair.

From the moment they walk in, they’re noticing everything.

The environment. The energy. The details.

And whether it’s conscious or not, they’re already deciding how your service feels and what it’s worth.

When your space feels intentional, your work feels more valuable.

When the experience is elevated, clients trust you more, rebook more, and talk about you.

This is the difference between simply providing a service and building a brand people remember.

At Studio Mae, every detail is designed to support that kind of experience.

If you’re ready for a space that aligns with the level you’re building, send me a DM to start the conversation.