Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Hedge.
Hi Lindsey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our journey into business has been nothing short of personal. I actually started in this very building back in 2014, working as an assistant in the old salon. By 2016, I had built up a loyal clientele, and around that time, my husband Ryan took a genuine interest in the industry too. He made the bold decision to leave corporate America, and I apprenticed him myself. Within a year, we had both built full books and felt the natural next step was to open something of our own.
The timing was right — the previous owner and landlord gave us the opportunity to take over the space. We remodeled everything ourselves and officially opened the doors of Nicole Martin Salon in 2018. The name is actually a blend of our middle names, and it really represents what the business means to us — something we built together.
In 2020, we had our first baby — a little boy — right in the middle of quarantine. It was a wild time trying to keep our business running, support our staff, maintain client loyalty, and take care of a newborn with very little outside help due to social distancing. We made it through, but life threw another surprise our way just 16 months later — identical twin girls.
One of our daughters, Emery, developed a life-threatening condition during pregnancy, and I had to be hospitalized for over a month. During that time, Ryan stepped in and ran the entire business, all while caring for our toddler. When the girls were born prematurely at 33 weeks, I spent every day and night in the NICU while still managing social media, scheduling clients, and keeping the salon’s momentum going.
That same year, our building went up for sale — the very one where we had built our brand and community. Despite the chaos of having three kids under two years old, we knew we had to take the leap. We bought the 100-year-old building and truly made it ours.
Now, our babies are three, our son is heading to kindergarten, and business is thriving. We’re proud to be the highest-rated salon in our area, and we’re continuing to grow our team. It’s been a journey built on passion, partnership, and perseverance — and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
See previous answer!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We like to say we’re a modern-day mom and pop shop — because that’s exactly what we are. We built this business with our own hands and our whole hearts, and I think that personal investment shows in everything we do.
We specialize in blonde hair — all kinds. From brunettes who want just a touch of brightness, to blondes who want to go even lighter, and everything in between. Whether it’s soft, lived-in color or something bold and bright, we’re known for customizing each look to enhance the client’s natural beauty and lifestyle.
What really sets us apart, though, is the experience and the energy people feel when they walk through our doors. We genuinely believe in doing good hair and being good people. That simple philosophy has built a strong, loyal community around us — and it shows. We are incredibly proud of our Google reviews. Reading how much people love the space we’ve poured so much love into means everything to us.
At the end of the day, we’re just passionate about creating beautiful hair in a beautiful environment, where everyone feels welcome and cared for.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
If there’s one thing we’ve learned through this journey, it’s that small business ownership is not for the faint of heart — but it is incredibly rewarding. It’s taught us the true meaning of perseverance. There have been times when things felt overwhelming — whether it was starting from scratch, navigating a pandemic with a newborn, or running a business while caring for premature twins — but we just kept showing up and pushing forward.
We’ve also learned that hard work always matters. There’s no shortcut, especially when it comes to building something real and lasting. Every success we’ve had is because we were willing to put in the work — even when no one was watching.
Most importantly, we’ve learned how crucial it is to stay true to your brand and to yourself. We built this salon around the simple idea of doing great hair and treating people well, and we’ve never strayed from that. The minute you try to be something you’re not, people feel that. But when you stay grounded in who you are, your brand becomes something people trust — and that’s what creates real loyalty.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicolemartinsalon.com
- Instagram: @thenicolemartinsalon
