Exploring Life & Business with Marissa Means of The Hair Force

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Means.

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?
I always knew I wanted to do something creative and loved helping others. Growing up, I had a strong passion for music and art. Those two things got me through high school and a lot of other things. I found how to express myself and wanted to help others do that too, I graduated high school and wanted to start a career path as soon as possible. Singing was always my first love but I knew it would take time before I could make that a reliable career. So I chose to attend Paul Mitchell since I always loved doing my own hair as well as friends and family.

Also, every time I got my hair colored in a salon I felt really good about myself and wanted to give others that same feeling. After graduating, I shadowed and apprenticed at two very high-end salons where I mainly shampooed and assisted with basic color applications. I loved working in the luxurious environment but after so long I felt my creativity and access to clients were limited so it was hard to make an income in those positions just starting out. At the end of my last apprenticeship, I found out I was pregnant.

That alone set a fire in my soul to follow my heart and not give up on my dreams. I then decided to try out a stylist position at a walk-in-only salon where I could take as many haircuts and color appointments as I wanted. I built a strong clientele and began to make a living where I could quit my side job of waitressing and even bought my own house that my daughter could grow up in. I worked there up until the day I was due. My daughter was born in February of 2020, right before Covid-19 and all of its madness. The salon world changed and I had to make a change as well. I chose to accept a more reliable job at the time as a service receptionist at a car dealership.

Once the pandemic settled down a little, I began doing bridal/event hair and got certified in lash extensions and lash lifts/tints. Eventually, I was able to leave my customer service job and get back to doing what I love to do. Later down the road, I was given the opportunity to buy a salon right next door to my house. I automatically thought it would be stupid for me to turn that down. I felt so blessed to be given this chance even though it came with great responsibility.

I knew I had enough clientele and experience to do this. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I knew this had always been a dream of mine so I had to make it happen and I’m so blessed to say I have. I am so proud to say I am now a successful salon owner at the age of 23.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Although I wouldn’t change a thing, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. It was a struggle at the beginning of my career to find the right environment and fit for me. During that time I unexpectedly lost a very important person to me, my grandma. We were super close and I went through a dark time after losing her. Over time I used that pain to channel all my strength and finally got back to being myself and doing what I love to do. There were times when I felt discouraged and wasn’t sure if I chose the right path for myself but that changed when I was able to have more freedom and gain a clientele that saw my worth.

After having my daughter and going through the pandemic, I was working four jobs while nursing and trying to spend as much time as I could with my newborn baby girl. I was working so much because at the time everything was so unpredictable and I had a mortgage and child to take care of. I just wasn’t going to let myself fail. My parents have always been my biggest supporters and always taught me to never give up so I never did. Now I can create my own schedule and have so much more time to spend with my precious family while also running a successful business.

I’ve created my own salon where I can be myself and provide a space for others to also be themselves. Although it might not always make sense at the time, I’ve learned that everything happens for a reason and you just have to keep going. Things will always eventually align as long as you put in the work, never lose sight of what’s important, and always have passion for what you do.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Hair Force is a beauty salon under the new ownership of myself and my mother. You won’t see my momma behind the chair because she does much more behind the scenes but you will see me along with our amazing rental stylists & lash technicians! We currently offer Hair Color, Hair Extensions, Haircuts, Lash extensions/Lash lifts/tints, Keratin Treatments & more.

We are also in the process of expanding our services to micro blading and possibly mani-pedis. I am personally known for my vivid/dimensional hair color, NBR extensions, bridal hair, and lashes. Offering so many services has expanded our clientele from toddlers to senior citizens and everyone in between. No matter your age, race, or gender you will find value & trust within our doors.

Being well versed in different hair textures and up to date with current/old trends is so important. Everybody has different needs and my goal is to make you feel beautiful in a fun environment where everybody uplifts each other.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love being centrally located near so many fun things to do like Cardinals baseball, concerts, parades, cocktail bars, and family-friendly places like the zoo, science center, and magic house. Not to mention the beautiful parks and scenery that surround us. I really wish there was less crime here.

But it’s important to remember that is going to happen anywhere and you just have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. I believe there’s always room for growth and the good outweighs the bad. There are so many hidden gems in St. Louis and many more to come.

I love that local businesses are always supporting one another and spreading the good word just like Voyage STL!

Pricing:

• Haircuts $25-$40
• Hair Color $45-$200
• NBR Hand Tied Extensions $625-$1,137
• Eyelash Extensions & Lash lifts/tints $45-$100
• Bridal Hair $60-$80

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fresha.com/a/the-hair-force-marissa-means-beauty-saint-ann-3455-ashby-road-uq45qo4u/booking?menu=true&utm_source=facebook
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/marissameansbeauty?r=nametag
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067211734820