Ten Years In: A Moment to Pause and Breathe
Ten Years In: A Moment to Pause and Breathe
Ten years ago, Ippodaro began as a small vision rooted in care, intention, and faith. Looking back now, I feel a deep sense of awe at how much we have grown—not in size, but in connection. I once thought having a large salon was the goal, but what I’ve come to love most is being a smaller, close-knit team. That intimacy has allowed us to stay connected, grow together, and focus on finding the right people who truly align with our mission. The journey hasn’t been easy—there were seasons of change, growing pains, construction challenges, and navigating uncertainty during COVID—but through every high and low, the support and patience we’ve received from one another and from our community has been a true gift. What fills my heart most is watching our team learn, grow, and pour into others—especially as we create space and opportunities for stylists who are just beginning their journey. This season is marked by humility, joy, and gratitude—humility from the lessons learned, joy in the people who walk alongside us, and deep gratitude for a mission we don’t carry alone.
Where We Started
In the early days, Ippodaro was built with faith, hard work, and a lot of resourcefulness. We furnished the salon with thrifted pieces turned into our first stations, and my husband and I spent nights demoing, painting, handling plumbing, and laying flooring while I was still working days at another salon. We opened with a small amount of product, a tiny team of two stylists and a nail technician, and a whole lot of determination. Because we were tucked away, I often worried if people would find us or if anyone would come at all. Some guests moved on, others found us—and that balance helped shape who we are today. Instead of focusing on fear, I stayed committed to keeping the salon running and trusting the process. From day one, our core values have remained the same: quality in our work and care for our guests and team, and a commitment to education, growth, and serving our community.
The Growth We’ve Witnessed
Over the years, Ippodaro has grown in ways that go far beyond the services we provide. The team we’ve built and the structure behind the scenes have helped our salon function with greater organization, professionalism, and intention. One of the changes I’m most proud of is our apprenticeship program, which allows new stylists to learn, grow, and build confidence in a supportive environment, along with recent guest experience upgrades like the new shampoo bowls we added this year. As more guests come to us seeking help with ongoing hair and scalp concerns, our understanding of hair healing and holistic care has deepened. We’ve learned how to navigate common scalp issues, sensitivities, irritations, and allergies with greater awareness and care, guiding each guest with education and intentional solutions. This growth has naturally led us
further into clean beauty, continued education, and deeper community involvement—always with the goal of creating a thoughtful, supportive experience for both our guests and our team.
The People Who Made It Possible
Ippodaro has never been about just hair—it’s always been about people. Over the past ten years, so many individuals have shaped this journey. Jessica, our salon manager, has been with us for over seven years, growing alongside the business with her organization, problem-solving skills, and genuine care for both the team and our guests. My husband, Vincent, has poured countless hours into the salon through construction and hands-on work, and I’m incredibly thankful for his skill, vision, and support. Shana, our operations manager, began as a longtime client and has believed in the Ippodaro mission from day one, helping bring structure, strategy, and clear training tools to our team. I’m also grateful for the mentors who have guided me through different seasons of business and growth, and especially for Nathalie, who has walked with me in my faith journey and helped shape how we lead with intention, truth, and the fruit of the Spirit.
To every apprentice who has been part of this journey, thank you—you have helped shape me into a better mentor. And to our loyal guests, your trust, feedback, and presence mean everything. Loyalty, to me, is about speaking truth and following through, and that value is at the heart of how we serve. Being a hairstylist has given me the gift of serving others every day, and learning from each person who walks through our doors.
Gratitude to Our Guests
To our guests, it means
more than we can put into words that you have chosen Ippodaro again and again. What keep
s you coming back goes beyond hair—it’s the consistency, the connection, the conversations, and the patience and care we share with one another. Your trust has shaped how we show up every day, reminding us to lead with honesty, transparency, and intention, never pushing or forcing anything out of selfish ambition.
Every person who walks through our doors matters deeply to us. We are honored to be part of your lives in both the joyful moments and the hard ones—the celebrations, the milestones, the travel stories, the children heading off to college, and even the seasons of grief. While making your hair look and feel its best is always a goal, what happens here goes deeper than that. Thank you for allowing us to serve you—it is a privilege we never take lightly.
Gratitude to Our Team
What makes our team special is the way we work together with openness, connection, and genuine care for one another. There is a shared willingness to communicate honestly, support each other, and grow together. Our team embodies Ippodaro’s mission of empowering and improving the quality of life—not only through the work they do for our guests, but by living those values in their own lives as well. Over the years, I’ve watched our team grow not just professionally, but personally and internally too. I’ve always believed that who we are at work should reflect who we are at home, and it’s been a gift to see our team bring that same integrity, heart, and intention into every part of what we do.
Lessons Learned Over 10 Years
This journey has taught me so much about service—especially the importance of being open to change and truly listening. It’s shown me that sustainability doesn’t always come from big, sweeping decisions, but from small, consistent steps taken with care and intention. In a culture that constantly pushes us to move faster, I’ve learned how meaningful it can be to slow down, and how powerful it is when the salon becomes a place where people are encouraged to breathe, pause, and be present. I’ve also learned how essential trust and community are. When we support one another, stay united, and continue to encourage each other, real growth happens. Unity truly is where it’s at.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, I’m excited to see the education side of Ippodaro continue to grow and to expand how we mentor and support stylists who are eager to learn and grow in their craft. I’m also passionate about finding meaningful ways to use our profits to give back—supporting mission-driven programs that uplift communities and work toward bettering humanity. What I hope never changes is the way we connect with people, because that connection is at the heart of everything we do. As we move forward, I want to continue serving with intention by encouraging unity, sharing resources, and reminding others that even small, thoughtful actions can lead to lasting change.
Closing: Thank You for Letting Us Serve
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for your loyalty, your trust, and your belief in what we do. Thank you for allowing us to serve you these past 10 years. We are honored to continue this journey together.
