Michelle McGoun is a hero to both her clients and her staff. She supplies her clients with some of the best trained stylists in the area while giving her stylists the opportunity to be their own boss while they remain a member of a team-oriented company. After doing research in Chicago and New York, Michelle opened Studio M Salon in December, 2002, giving top stylists the support of a large business as they remain independent and work for themselves. The result has been nothing short of remarkable for the stylists and their clients. Here's an inside view of Studio M Salon provided by stylist and local resident Jennifer Rae:

All I've ever wanted to do since childhood was be a hair stylist and I have been now for five years. I went to cosmetology school in Columbus and the salons down there are simply phenomenal. When it came time to move back home, I wanted to find a salon that provided a lot of training. I knew that when you're fresh out of college, you only know the basics so I found a salon in Mayfield Heights that has an intense apprenticeship program. You spend three months learning everything from how to blow dry someone's hair to learning all of the cuts. I signed up there and it took me a year to get through their training program. In addition to their in-house training program, they sent me to learn at Vidal Sasson and Aveda Concept Salons. I attended shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. They sent me absolutely everywhere and the training was incredible. Without their in-depth training, I don't think I could be an independent contractor today.

When you work for yourself, you use the supplies you want to use and make your own hours. We all have our own accountants and each one of us has our own business within this wonderful facility. After working for someone for my first four years, the idea of being my own boss was scary but it's definitely the best thing I've ever done. I actually want to work more and do a better job because it's my own business.

I specialize in cutting hair and coloring hair. These are the areas where I've received the most intense training. While I offer all types of hair services, cutting and coloring are definitely my specialties.

We have between eleven and twelve hair stylists at Studio M in addition to a nail technician and a massage therapist. All of our hairdressers and our nail tech are very well educated and are constantly expanding their education by taking thirty hours of continuing education each year. After each of us attends a beauty show or seminar, we come back and teach the entire salon what we've learned. We're very team oriented and we work together to promote the entire salon. We're always looking for new people to join our team but we have high standards for workmanship and service and expect newcomers to offer the same professional service as we do.

We do haircutting for men and women and offer coloring, highlighting, waves, perms, straightening, and up-dos. Our licensed massage therapist gives massages on Saturdays by appointment and we offer a variety of manicures and pedicures in addition to lip, eyebrow, and facial waxing. We do bridal makeup and special occasion makeup and we're going to start offering makeup touch-ups at the end of our services. After your hair cut and blow dry, we'll touch up your powder, blush, or lipstick. If your hands are dry, especially in the winter, you can get a complimentary paraffin dip while we're cutting your hair.

At Studio M Salon, everyone is an owner and dedicated to helping you look and feel your very best. For beautiful hair and nails that will turn heads wherever you go, call for an appointment today and don't forget to tell them that The Advocate sent you!

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