About
Hi friends. My name is Melanie Guzzo and I am just a typical salon owner. I own two hair salons in Columbus, Ohio and I have been an owner for 15 years. I became a licensed hairdresser in 2003 and worked behind the chair for many years.
This journey as a business owner has been the most beautiful, daunting, exciting and painful endeavor of my life.
A couple of years ago I realized what I love to do…I love to connect with small business owners and share stories in order to help people feel less alone. I personally have wanted to give up so many times and felt so alone as an owner. If I can help one person with my story, that is a win for me.
The purpose of Salon Snacks is to give back to this beautiful industry. Salon Snacks exists to give you encouragement, community and connection through the great and the not so great moments of leading a team. Salon Snacks is for owners, managers and leaders. I am committed to be as vulnerable and real with you as I possibly can be even if it is a little scary for me!
Where have I been in this industry?
I started my career in cosmetology in June of 2003 when I graduated from cosmetology school. I attended a local trade school while I was in high school to earn my license to do hair behind the chair. I worked near my hometown for two years (Galion, Ohio is my hometown and I worked in Bucyrus, Ohio for those two years). Then I moved to Columbus to finish college…I had been attending The Ohio State University Mansfield Branch for the first two years post high school.
I finished college and I worked in salons the entire time. I was sure I would leave the industry once I finished college (I had planned to be an art teacher). However, once I graduated I realized that the salon world is where I belonged.
Next I landed a job at the Paul Mitchell School in Columbus and taught for two years while working at two salons in Columbus. Eventually I decided to open a salon in Columbus. I was 23 years old when I started planning the salon and Virtue Vegan Salon opened when I was 24.
The original salon location was 600 square feet and after two years we expanded into the neighboring space and added 1200 square feet. Fast forward three more years, we needed more space and moved to a 3000 square foot space across the street
Now we have two locations and a lot of stories and learning in between!
I have also been an educator for product companies and I am currently part of an independent education brand that is part of the salon called LevelHead Academy.