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

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 resilienceWhat it really took to fund her salon (including a $10K client donation!)Why she refuses to operate like a traditional landlord-style booth rental ownerHer unique “Golden Experience” brand philosophyThe launch of her Golden Ticket marketing campaign inspired by Taylor SwiftAnd how she’s leading with transparency, community, and pure gold-level serviceWhether 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.This summer I'm hosting the Summer Specialization Series: three live virtual panels on the specialties that are really taking off in the industry right now.June 29 — Hair Loss, Extensions, and Enhancements July 27 — Curly Hair August 31 — Scalp Health and Head SpasEach panel is $55, or grab all three for $111 and save.Grab your spot here: https://stylistsoultribe.mykajabi.com/2026-summer-seriesConnect with Lisa HuffInstagramFacebookYouTube