Rising Stars: Meet Donna Ironwing of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Ironwing.

Hi Donna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been a hairstylist for 16 years now, starting right out of high school. Before opening my own business, I worked at a salon in Parma for 11 years, where I really grew into the stylist I am today and built such a loyal client base.

In 2023, I finally decided to take the leap and open my own space, The Moth Room. Literally right after I signed my lease, I found out I was pregnant with my third baby, so life got very real, very fast. But honestly, that pushed me even harder to build something that was fully mine.

The Moth Room has become such a reflection of me — creative, cozy, a little edgy, and really focused on making people feel comfortable and confident when they sit in my chair. I’ve poured so much of myself into creating not just a hair appointment, but an experience and a safe space for my clients.

Now I’m in a season of growing the business, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and continuing to build the kind of career and environment I always dreamed of having.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but honestly I think that’s what’s shaped both me and The Moth Room into what it is today.

I opened my business in 2023, and almost immediately after signing my lease, I found out I was pregnant with my third child. Becoming fully independent while pregnant and raising a family was a huge adjustment. When you own your own business, there’s no clocking out — you’re balancing clients, finances, social media, scheduling, motherhood, and real life all at once.

On top of that, I was also pursuing becoming a Matrix educator because education and creativity are such a big passion of mine. But through the process, I realized it just wasn’t the right fit for me or the right timing in my life. That was hard because sometimes walking away from something is just as difficult as chasing it.

I’ve also dealt with a lot of personal challenges behind the scenes, including health issues with a herniated disc and ongoing stress with major house and insurance problems. There were definitely moments where it felt like everything was hitting at once. But if anything, those experiences made me more resilient and gave me an even deeper appreciation for what I’m building.

So no, it hasn’t been smooth — but I’m proud of the fact that even through all the chaos, I kept showing up, kept growing, and kept building a business and environment that feels authentic to me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in major hair transformations and vivid colors — everything from bold fashion shades to dramatic changes that help people fully express themselves and feel confident in their own skin. I love creative color work and pushing outside the box while still making sure the hair stays healthy and customized to each client.

What I’m most proud of is building this business completely on my own during one of the hardest and busiest seasons of my life. There were definitely moments where it would’ve been easier to give up, but I kept pushing because this business means so much to me.

I think what sets me apart is that everything about my business feels very authentic to who I am. I’m not trying to fit into a perfect or traditional version of the beauty industry. I want my work and my space to feel artistic, welcoming, a little edgy, and deeply personal. My clients aren’t just coming for hair — they’re coming for the connection, trust, creativity, and experience they get when they’re here.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is being able to help people feel confident and truly like themselves. There’s something really rewarding about watching someone look in the mirror after a transformation and seeing their whole energy change. I love giving people a space where they feel safe to express themselves, whether that’s through vivid color, a huge hair change, or just having a place where they can relax and be themselves for a few hours.

I’m also really fulfilled by creating something that’s fully mine. Building The Moth Room from the ground up while balancing motherhood and real-life challenges has made me appreciate every little milestone so much more. It’s not just a business to me — it’s something I poured my heart into.

Outside of work, my kids are a huge part of what keeps me motivated and grounded. They’re a big reason why I pushed myself to take risks and build a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling. Overall, what makes me happiest is creativity, connection, and knowing I’m building a life and career that genuinely reflects who I am.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themothroom.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothroomhair_