Meet Mollie Etienne | Salon Owner-Beauty Creator-Master Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mollie Etienne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mollie, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
I started my business while on maternity leave 3 and a half years ago, in the past for 13 years I had worked as a commission stylist for 2 different salons. Never in my dreams would I ever think becoming a mother for the first time I would be building a business while navigating motherhood with a new born, but it was seriously the best decision I have made. Since then, for 2.5 years now I have thrived as a solo working momma becoming the primary parent and provider. I am so blessed to have the best clientele some that have been with me since beauty school even. Life has a wild way of sending strength and growth my way and sometimes I look back and think to myself how did I do that? Leaning into your people who support you and want to see you shine has definitely become the most important part of balancing motherhood and working momma life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m so fortunate to say before going to beauty school, I always wanted to do hair and have my own salon. And luckily I love what I do so so much, I don’t ever feel like I “work” a day in my life. I’m so blessed to have the best education throughout all these years and also being in an art industry where you never stop gaining knowledge. I’m obsessed with beauty, and would have to say working in front of a mirror for a living you really truly learn a lot, not only about yourself but the person who has the privilege to spend time with me in my chair.

Most of my clients book between 4-8 weeks at a time and I must say that time flies by!!! I get so excited to see them each turn and it fills my cup letting them be themselves and getting pampered even if it’s for a few hours together.

To look back on where I am today, I will say it hasn’t been easy, before I became a mom, I worked my butt off, 12 hour days three days a week, rising to the top taking extra classes outside of the norm, teaching classes, prepping for them creating all new material to provide the most fun in the Mollie sorta way. Now having my own business, and being a solo momma, balancing mom life and business life has been one of the most challenging things. Having to arrange my scheduled days around daycare schedule is tough, but i’m grateful for my small village over here to help this momma out.

I couldn’t have came this far without the continued support of my amazing clients. I would say 70% of my clients have done life with me. This encompasses going through the scale of growing my clientele working in a training based salon, through all the promotions, single life before I met a husband and became a stepmother, Then challenges of: trying to start our own family, COVID haha, moving salons, pregnancy, more salon changes and now owning my own business. I have learned a lot from them all. They are really my rocks and livelihood thank you to single one of you for all the love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well first things first is always Champagne to pop off the week!! I always make my guest at home when they visit, welcome gift bag full of all the necessities but also all the girly things one of my besties could ever dream of, they are in the right place.

Brunch is a must every day in old town Fort Collins one of my favorite spots is Ginger and Baker. Shopping, drinks, and the best pies in town hands down, oh and can’t forget about a latte made with love. Always love a good trip to Top Golf so much fun is had there.

Next favorite spot would have to be Breckenridge we don’t ski or snowboard but you may certainly find us sipping on something yummy and warm at the lodge greeting all the people making new friends.

Events are always a thing being a business owner especially in northern colorado supporting local charities. Getting ready together for events is a favorite. Dressing up you know.

Maybe even a trip up to Estes park for the day walking around and stopping at the Nebraska Husker store. Also if they are playing, we would go to the Wagon Wheel one of our favorite Husker bars.

What kinda girls don’t love a good spa day? whether its getting pedicures at our favorite Royce Spa here in ft collins or a facial or massage at the Woodhouse downtown.

Always love to cook for my guests, so a cozy meal at home and a night in, drinking wine and laughing and loving the company.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So far in my career I have always looked up to several of my mentors who helped build and shape me to the woman, stylist, power house I am today. The first owner of the salon I was at for 10 years Gil Merme. First person who comes to my mind, he always believed in me, cheered me on and saw something in me. I rose to the top and stayed there because of him, he let me lead to even become a mentor myself to other stylists in the industry and even when I didn’t see it, looking back on 17 years of growth I always thank him.

Another one that comes to mind is Amanda Wicker, Old boss of mine two different places who became my best friend and Powerhouse, also a very successful business owner herself here in Ft. Collins. One of the smartest women I know. She saw me in a way no one else could, and still does. She’s gone through all the life changes so far in my career saw the good the bad and sometimes the ugly but still will always have a huge impact on the person I am today and I will forever be grateful for all the nuggets of what it means to be a powerful woman. Thank you Amanda.

Website: beautbesalon.glossgenius.com

Instagram: @Mollieetienne

Facebook: Mollie Etienne

Yelp: Beaut Be Salon

Image Credits
Images by Cara Bloch Photograph Instagram- cara.bloch