Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations

How Michelle Golden Opened a Salon for $35K—and Built a Waitlist in 90 Days


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Have a topic request or someone you think we should have on the pod?! Send us a text and let us know!

In this deeply inspiring episode, I’m joined by longtime Stylist Soul Tribe member and salon owner, Michelle Golden, for a powerful conversation about grit, growth, and building a beauty business with heart.

Michelle takes us behind the scenes of her journey—from being a shy, self-doubting booth renter to launching Salon Au in Ankeny, Iowa, with only $35K… and filling all five chairs within three months.

We go deep. Michelle opens up about:

  • The childhood trauma that shaped her resilience
  • What it really took to fund her salon (including a $10K client donation!)
  • Why she refuses to operate like a traditional landlord-style booth rental owner
  • Her unique “Golden Experience” brand philosophy
  • The launch of her Golden Ticket marketing campaign inspired by Taylor Swift
  • And how she’s leading with transparency, community, and pure gold-level service

Whether you're dreaming of salon ownership or reinventing your culture, this episode will light a fire in you.


📲 Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @michellegoldenhairstylist
Salon: Salon Au, Ankeny, IA
Want to reach out or ask questions? Slide into her DMs—she’s an open book!

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Share it with a stylist friend or tag us on Instagram @stylistsoultribe!

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Stylist Soul Tribe ConversationsBy Lisa Huff

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