Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Pesys.
Hi Nina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey in the beauty industry as a Front Desk Receptionist at Gerald’s Salon in Northville, Michigan. I don’t know that my life path would have led me to hairdressing had I had not found myself in the right place at the right time with the best mentor there was- Gerald Haynes. In hindsight, I was destined to be a hairdresser. With Gerald’s guidance and encouragement, I enrolled in the Cosmetology Apprenticeship and over time, became an educator within his salon. Gerald was excellent at discovering what lit the spark for each of his staff members, and for me it was being involved in the business-side of things, as well as having the opportunity to mentor and lead others. Nurturing and supporting other hairdressers and team members to be the best they can be and to find their niche is what truly fills my cup, so when Gerald’s closed after his passing, what had once been a dream became a possibility and Nina’s Salon was born! After a lot of hard work, and with the support of my friends, family, and the Nina’s Salon team, we opened on April 7th of 2025. This past year has been one of growth, overwhelming joy and a LOT of gratitude. The team at Nina’s is a remarkable group of women that build each other up, support each other both in and outside of the salon, and they inspire me every day. Our story as a salon is just getting started and I cannot wait to see what’s to come!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We are fortunate to have had a pretty smooth road in our first year of business! The majority of our clientele have been with us for years, some for decades, and they have been kind enough to follow us during our journey.
What has helped me to avoid struggles is to follow the advice of Gerald- to ALWAYS be open to learning, to be humble, and to make every decision with integrity. Through the connections that I developed at Gerald’s Salon, I was able to find support in areas that my knowledge was lacking.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Nina’s Salon?
Nina’s is a full service salon- we offer cutting, styling, coloring, bridal/special event hair (in-salon or on-site) and nails. Our colorists specialize in a wide range of services from Balayage to Foilayage, Fashion colors, to spot-on root coverage, corrective colors and more! Our stylists are all trained in the French Technique of Haircutting, which takes into account the client’s whole silhouette to shape their haircut around who they are and the unique lifestyle they lead. We are known for our continued education and never-ending commitment to staying up to date on new techniques and expanding our skillset.
I am proud to say that Nina’s Salon is known for our positive, welcoming and collaborative environment. One thing I have learned in this industry is that you can teach someone technical skills, but you cannot teach an attitude. The energy clients feel at Nina’s is a testament to the impact that positive and open attitudes have on a space. I am fortunate to be able to say that everyone in our salon wants to continue to learn and to grow, not just as hairdressers, but as people.
We find that a common complaint about the beauty industry as a whole is that clients don’t always feel heard or listened to. I believe that our approach in this area sets us apart from other salons. A big part of why, I think, comes from our team mentality that we embrace with each other. We work as a collaborative group, and feel that approach is most beneficial to our clients. We lean on each other and share ideas every day to deliver the best possible results.
I think in any line of work, choosing the right people will determine the success of the business, but especially in an industry like ours- one that is centered around intimate relationships. One thing I know I did exactly right is choosing an incredible team.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to any new entrepreneur would be to always listen with the intention to understand and to always learn- whether that be learning from a mentor, a competitor or your team. A quote that has stuck with me since I was an Apprentice is this: “When you’re green, you grow. When you’re ripe, you rot.” Always be green!
And, if you are a business owner looking to bring on a team, communicate frequently and thoughtfully, follow through with what you say, and always set the example of what you expect. Don’t be afraid of being wrong- that will happen. My biggest role models in my industry and others are those that are always open to changing and molding. No business or reward comes without challenges or bumps in the path- it’s the way we respond to a challenge that sets us apart. When you are wrong, admit it and learn from it. Don’t forget what it felt like before you were a business owner or a leader. If you remain humble and open, these experiences can help shape you into the type of leader you either were lucky enough to have or wished you had.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $35-70
- Base Color $55+
- Highlighting/Lowlighting $100+
- Formal Styling $85+
- Shellac Manicure $50, Regular Manicure $30, Pedicure $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ninas-salon.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ninassalon_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575064856874
