Meet Megan Albert of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Albert.

Hi Megan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I bought my salon, The Studio Collective back in 2023. I worked under the leadership of Marcy Cona (MC Hair Salon) for 13 years, and she came to me in 2021 and offered to sell me the studio location. I was beyond flattered as I looked up to her so much as a leader and business woman who has created these two amazing salons. I had been behind the chair since 2005, and absolutely loved every aspect of this industry, being an artist, and educator for Sunlights Balayage, GHD and k18 Hair, but never did I ever think I’d one day own my own salon. When she approached me, I was flattered, terrified, and intrigued. I knew I didn’t want to work for anyone else but her… so I took the leap of faith and started using what she had mentored me and taught me and then put my own modern twist on our salon.

We had a solid team already, some of the most talented artists I’d ever worked with, but I knew we needed a little shake up. We changed some of our policies to make our stylists feel like they had voice in our business as well, after all they are the heart of our space, the creators, the thinkers. We created a space of education, freedom, and creativity, while letting all know that they are welcome, with that being said, we wanted to create the right team that all work and exist together with a common goal in mind. We want young stylists to grow, flourish and one day if they want to become an owner, and educator, or anything they want, we want them to have that opportunity. This year in 2026, we just opened our second location in Akron, Ohio. “The Society Salon and Spa” is a fully booth rental sister salon to ur commission based “The Studio Collective.” Our new location was thoughtfully designed to give the opportunity to our commission stylists to easily transition to their own business if they so desire. We think, why not let them have the freedom to make their own choices and do it how they want to do it in a beautiful space. I believe that there is a business model for everyone and I want them to make that decision, whether it be owning your own or having the ability to do your guests and go home at the end of the day, knowing the business aspect is being taken care of. We are always looking for new talented, driven individuals, who want a different approach to the beauty industry.

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?
Of course there are always ups and downs, the highs feel amazing and you feel like you could do anything in that moment. The challenges that are the hardest are the ones that make us grow the most and learn about ourselves. I try my hardest to be self aware and vulnerable with my staff. Sometimes there are stylists that leave, and that’s ok, but I think that’s definitely one of the hardest personally because no matter what it feels personal. It just means it wasn’t the right fit anyways, but seeing the stylist grow, flourish, get better with every client is where I get excited! I want everyone to be successful, it’s what makes this all worth it to me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years and I’ve seen many immense changes. I started out loving fantasy colors and wild changes, and now in my career, I love to make my guests feel beautiful, more confident, and I tend to specialize more in natural coloring, that’s complimentary to skin tone, face shape, really listening to their struggles and coming to a solution together of what can make doing their hair easier and compliment them. Listening to your guest and really explaining and educating them is where I’ve had the most success behind the chair.

Creating fullness with extensions, creating a cut that make fine hair plump, custom cutting softer layers from the inside to save a shape but create lift where it’s needed and being able to talk that through the why with my clients is what helps me build that trust and relationship with them.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When I was little, I’d take my moms make up and all of my barrettes and my grandparents and parents would let me put all of them in their hair, do their makeup (terribly) and do it over and over again. I was training for this industry before I knew it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studiomccollective.com
• Instagram: @_thestudiocollective_