Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Martin.
Hi Melissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been in the beauty industry for 14 years, and while I’ve always loved the creativity behind doing hair, what has kept me passionate about my career is so much deeper than that. For me, it has always been about the women in my chair.
Over the years, I’ve realized that sometimes a hair appointment becomes so much more than a hair appointment. Women sit in my chair during some of the happiest moments of their lives and some of the hardest. They’ve shared their stories, their heartbreaks, their new beginnings, and their victories with me. Being able to create a space where a woman can feel beautiful, heard, safe, and cared for is what truly drives my heart.
That purpose has recently grown beyond my career behind the chair. I wrote my first book, I Came Back to Myself, which tells my story of surviving domestic violence and finding my way back to myself afterward. As a survivor, domestic violence advocacy is incredibly important to me. For a long time, parts of my own story were difficult to speak about, but I eventually realized that sharing them could become a way to help someone else feel less alone.
My hope is that the women who read my book—whether they are currently going through an abusive relationship, have survived one, or are still trying to rebuild themselves afterward—feel seen and understood. I want them to know that there is life after what happened to them and that finding yourself again is possible.
When I look at everything I’m building today, it all connects. Whether someone is sitting in my chair or holding my book in her hands, I want women to walk away feeling a little stronger, a little more beautiful, and a little less alone than they did before.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road\. During the first three years of my career, I was in an abusive relationship, and when that chapter finally ended, I had to do the difficult work of healing and rebuilding myself through therapy\.
At the same time, I was building my career\. I worked long hours, missed holidays, baby showers, family events — you name it\. There were a lot of sacrifices behind the scenes that people didn’t always see\. I hustled because I knew the life and career I wanted wouldn’t just happen; I had to build them\.
Looking back, I’m proud of every version of myself that kept going\. I wouldn’t wish some of those struggles on anyone, but they shaped the woman and business owner I am today\. They taught me resilience, compassion, and how important it is to create a space where women feel safe, heard, and beautiful\. I’m standing where I am today because I refused to give up on myself\.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve been a hairstylist for 14 years, specializing in color and extensions, and I’m also a Goldwell Master Colorist. I’ve spent my entire career continuing to educate myself, grow my craft, and build a clientele that I’m incredibly proud of.
But for me, doing hair has never been just about hair. Some of my clients have been with me for more than a decade. I’ve been there through weddings, babies, new jobs, heartbreaks, divorces, fresh starts, and everything in between. My chair has become a place where women can come as they are, feel heard, and hopefully leave feeling a little more confident than when they walked in.
I’ve worked incredibly hard to build the career I have today. There were years of long days, missed holidays, weekends, and important moments because I was determined to create something for myself. Today, having my own private studio and a career that I built from the ground up is something I’m extremely proud of.
What sets me apart is the connection I have with my clients. Of course I want them to love their hair, but I also want them to feel comfortable, safe, beautiful, and cared for. I think people can feel when you genuinely love what you do—and after 14 years, I still do.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories aren’t really one specific moment. It’s the little things — being with my family, laughing, celebrating holidays, and having that sense of being carefree before you really understand how complicated life can become. Looking back now, I think I appreciate those simple moments more than I ever did then.
Pricing:
- I Came Back to Myself — Paperback: available on Amazon $22.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melissaannehair.glossgenius.com/?fbclid=PARlRTSAT5fcNwZG9mAmZkaWQWUNGMAiYB9BuiNqDlNHMgS-tZNYh9xGV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp13FiRoEaNvVGggxbD34U-LUOv5udXSP7615G3dlAd3rPn89gSI1SYqcB1Lg_aem_2hTQSmn3d7sbp717Q-1YlQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaanne.hair?igsi=MXZjcGx6YXNydzM1aA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19GeqNrtit/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaanne.hair?_r=1&_t=ZP-999siEhRAvG
