Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole LaFontaine.
Hi Nicole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Graduating from the Ohio Paul Mitchell Academy in 2006, I started my journey as a hairstylist where I spent the majority of my career with the same salon where I started to build my business into what it is today. This year I’ll be celebrating 15 years in the beauty industry. Most recently, as of 2020, I’ve become an independent stylist and started my own small business Mia Nicole Beauty, named after my 4-year-old daughter. Mia Nicole Beauty is Located at Wave Salon + Co in downtown Kent, Ohio. I have always had a passion for hair design and an eye for precision. When it comes to sitting in my chair, my number one priority is YOU! Before I get started, I walk my clients through a thorough consultation focusing my attention to detail on their hair goals to ensure we achieve the results they’re looking for. I specialize in color and color corrections, short women’s cuts, men’s cuts, gel polish manicures, and eyebrow shaping.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Through hard work and determination, I left the salon I was most comfortable at for over a decade to take my career to the next level. Starting a small business during a global pandemic was not how I envisioned it happening but when you’re given a great opportunity, you take it! The Beauty industry took an enormous hit when covid shut us down at the beginning of 2020. During the nearly 12-week lockdown, I had a lot of time to think about where I was in my career and where I wanted to be. Once Salons were given the Ok to reopen, I started weighing my options and realized that being an independent hairstylist was going to be the next step for me. In early July 2020, I broke the news to clients that I’d be moving my business to the Kent, Ohio area. Clients were very excited to see my business flourish as many had been with me from the start. Getting up and running wasn’t nearly as difficult as I had anticipated. The only threat that stood in my way was Covid and the worry of another shutdown that could potentially put a small business under. Thankfully, that never happened.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As an Independent Hairstylist, I carry an exclusive line of hair care products by a company named Milkshake. I stand behind their products 100% as they include many natural plant/food-based ingredients and smell absolutely heavenly to top it off. I specialize in hair color and corrective color techniques as well as short women’s cuts, men’s cuts, facial waxing, and gel polish manicures! You’ll find that your experience with me differs from the rest from the moment you lay back in the shampoo bowl with my invigorating scalp massage to the deliciously scented hair care products used to accommodate any hair type. My attention to detail ensures precision in my services so my clients know they’re receiving the best experience possible.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
Going from working in an hourly/commission salon as an employee with a guaranteed paycheck to opening your own small business and not knowing how well you will do can be quite scary. As a single mom of two young children, it was really quite risky not knowing exactly how much income I’d be generating on my own, especially in the beginning. But, two years later I can honestly say this is the best decision I’ve ever made!
Pricing:
- Women’s Cut $45
- Men’s cut $35
- Balayage $180 (starting price)
- Full highlight $135 (starting price)
- Full color $90 (starting price)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mianicolebeauty.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/mia_nicole_beauty
- Facebook: Facebook.com/mianicolebeauty1
