In this episode, Alan talks with Marissa Martin, Nashville-based colorist and co-founder of House of Tone, a boutique salon in the Wedgwood-Houston neighborhood. After three years of college, Marissa followed her instincts into cosmetology, building a loyal clientele and a decade-long career that included high-profile clients and a front-row seat to how salons scale, and bloat.

In 2025, Marissa and her partner Gabby opened House of Tone in a clever live–work space rather than taking on a seven-figure buildout. They invested ~$50K of their own cash, paid it back in about two months, and have been profitable since. They've done this all while preserving a Monday–Thursday schedule and a clear boundary on work-life balance.

We cover:

• Why Marissa walked away from a $1M buildout to open in a live–work space
• How House of Tone recouped its $50K startup cost in just two months
• What she learned from Summit-style salons versus creative freedom
• The role of Instagram, sidewalk signs, and community in building clientele
• Monetizing constraints: four chairs, Mon–Thu founder schedules, and using Fri/Sat for classes/events/rentals
• Why they rejected investors, used light bank exposure, and kept full control
• How she balances growth with lifestyle and work-life priorities

If you're interested in building a brick and mortar beauty store, this episode will help you evaluate salon models, deciding between “showpiece” buildouts and scrappy profit-first openings, and how to protect your lifestyle while you grow.

Resources & Links
House of Tone (IG): https://www.instagram.com/officialhouseoftone
Marissa Martin (IG): https://www.instagram.com/marissamartinhair

Opening Soon Links & Resources
→ Signs and furniture for retail stores: https://signsandmirrors.com
→ NYC and Houston’s first self-portrait studio: https://fotolab.studio
→ Follow us on Instagram: @openingsoonpodcast
→ More episodes and guest info: https://www.openingsoonpodcast.com
→ Your Host Alan Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-li-711a8629/