Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Mitchell-Reynolds
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Melissa Mitchell-Reynolds of Fairfield, Ohio. I live with my Husband, Eric, my 2-bonus children, Carter and
Klaire, and our youngest daughter, Gracelynn. For over 16 years, I have been a professional hairdresser, and this is my story.
I graduated from high school in January, 2005, and overall, I was a pretty good student. Some of my hobbies included
playing volleyball and singing. Anything that allowed me to express myself, I was all in! Wanting to begin my passion for
design, I enrolled into the International Academy of Hair Design in July of that year. Regrettably, that road led me to the
point of falling victim to drug addiction, and that lasted for the next three years. This is where my true journey began.
Cosmetology school was a real challenge for me, due to being actively addicted to drugs. It became more difficult each day to show up and be productive; always late or being a no-show. It was so bad, that one of my instructors even told me to
quit school altogether. While it was a tough road, I fought with everything I had in me! Finally, after getting my life together, I graduated in early 2009!
The defining moment for me was the day I made the decision to get clean. After three months of sobriety, and the
encouragement of my family, I decided to get help. I went to rehab! Only one week into rehab I received a call. A call that later would become the turning point of my life. The state board of cosmetology called to let me know that I could officially take the test for my hair license! After some discussion, the rehab facilitators at Sojourner ( Hamilton, Ohio) agreed to let my mom take me for one night to take the test. I was determined to get my life back! Typically, you stay for a strict 90 days in rehab. I was anxious to get my passion off the ground, so I stayed for six months. To accomplish the goal of graduating from the program, I made the
decision to stay in an assisted-living program for those additional three months. I wanted to ensure I gained the tools I needed to continue in my sobriety journey.
For the first 8 years of my career, I worked anywhere I could find. I started at a commission-based salon, then worked to open my own Salon Lofts business. I was creating my dream and building my clientele!
After 3 years of learning how to manage a business, I received a call from Nancy Nichting, the owner of Unique Designs.
Located in my hometown of Fairfield, Ohio, Nancy has taken care of my hair needs since I was in high school. She is
someone I drew very close to through the years, and now, she was calling with an offer to open my own booth at her salon! This was just the change I needed! I am grateful for that call, and Nancy will never know the impact she made on me and
my career.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Fast-forwarding to year 2020, the year of the pandemic, the entire world quickly changed. Little did I know, my life was
about to once again change.
Some of my biggest struggles during that time, was when I found out I was pregnant. Salon shut down, no income coming in, besides my husbands who worked at the Hamilton County 911 dispatching center. On top of everything we lost one of the greatest people in our lives, My husband’s Mom.
Our first child together and getting hit from every angle. My husband, Eric,
wasn’t able to be by my side for doctor appointments and ultrasounds. It was heartbreaking. Still, we were so excited to welcome our baby girl into the world in November of 2020. We went from our little family of four to a happy family of five. I am a mother, a bonus mom, and a wife. Some said I would never make it to this point, but here I am!
I owe my success to so many people. Not only my family, Nancy, my friends who believed in me, but especially, my clients. My clients not only helped me overcome my past, but they encouraged me to come to realize my purpose. Some can even relate to my life story. Some of the things I’ve been through! Some of what they’ve been through! It’s a lot! As they say in the business, your hairdresser is your confidant!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my life, and in my career, I would say I am not only an artist, but a creative designer, too. I love playing volleyball
at Spooky Nook, The local athletic facility in Hamilton, Ohio, and I love singing Karaoke! These are the ways I can express myself and relieve any unwanted stress.
I would say I’m definitely a color specialist, which I absolutely love doing. I feel that my clients sit in my chair and trust my talent. Also I love being apart of clients special occasions, like weddings, homecoming/prom and other events.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love about the City of Fairfield is that the opportunities are endless. With so many salons, competition can be fierce! Even so, we are a tight community. My clientele includes people from not only all over the greater Cincinnati area, but the tri-state, and even from different parts of the country. My dislikes of Fairfield? How could I dislike anything about the city
that gave me a second chance at life! I am proud to be from Fairfield, Ohio.
I would say my main source for new clients is by word-of-mouth and social media. 94% of my business is recommendations alone, and I am so grateful for their endorsement. If you’d like to take a look at some of my work, you can find me on social media, like Facebook and Instagram. I share what I do and gauge the community for what they want to see next.
To sum up my life, I went from drug addiction with no future or life purpose, to doing what I love! I am passionate about my clients every single day. With pride, I can say that not only have I been doing hair for over 16 years, but in March 2025, I will celebrate 16 years clean from drugs!
To the love of my life, Eric, thank you for being there and pushing me to new heights. To my family and friends, their love and encouragement means more to me than they will ever know. To my amazing kids, Carter, Klaire, and Gracelynn, you remind me why I am here each day. I do what I do for all of you. Lastly, if I could offer advice to anyone going down a beaten path, try starting over. Follow your dreams. Your passions. And, please, ask for help when you need it. Believe in yourself. I am living proof that anything is possible.
“ I defeated what once defeated me “
Pricing:
- $35.00-Haircut
- $60.00-Partial Highlight or Lowlights
- $70.00-Full Highlight or Lowlights
- $90.00-2 Color + $10.00 each additional color
- Consultation- Vivid Colors
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Melissa Reynolds at Unique Designs
- Other: Unique Designs Hair Salon- Facebook
