Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations

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


Listen Later

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!

💛 Loved this episode?

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

Your reviews and shares help this show reach more incredible beauty pros like you.

Connect with Lisa Huff

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Stylist Soul Tribe ConversationsBy Lisa Huff

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

38 ratings


More shows like Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations

View all
Destroy The Hairdresser by Destroy The Hairdresser

Destroy The Hairdresser

141 Listeners

Breaking Beauty Podcast by Dear Media, Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins

Breaking Beauty Podcast

915 Listeners

Thriving Stylist Podcast by Britt Seva

Thriving Stylist Podcast

2,110 Listeners

No Stylist Left Behind by Nina Tulio and J Ladner

No Stylist Left Behind

109 Listeners

Gina Bianca Podcast by Gina Bianca

Gina Bianca Podcast

241 Listeners

Beauty Business Game-Changer by Jennifer Jade Alvarez

Beauty Business Game-Changer

26 Listeners

The Starting Messy Podcast by Misty Jayne

The Starting Messy Podcast

41 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

14,680 Listeners

Financial Feminist by Her First $100K

Financial Feminist

6,393 Listeners

The Modern Hairstylist ™ Podcast by Hunter Donia

The Modern Hairstylist ™ Podcast

133 Listeners

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce by Wondery

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

18,010 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,203 Listeners

Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari by Dear Media

Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari

3,465 Listeners

Level Up with Lacey by Lacey Gebo

Level Up with Lacey

25 Listeners

The Hair Hustle Podcast by Heather Podlesney

The Hair Hustle Podcast

5 Listeners