Three Years of Muse: A Look Back, A Love Letter, A Whole Lot of Growth

Three Years of Muse: From Creation to Community

Buckle up this is a long one, but straight from the heart . Three years ago, Muse Salon was more of a feeling than a finished thing.

It was a vision, a Pinterest board, a quiet knowing that something new was being born, even if I didn’t yet have all the words (or money lol)  for it.

But to really understand Muse, we have to rewind just a bit.

Before Muse: Where It All Began

Muse is the second salon I’ve had the honor of opening. My first salon, The Creative, opened in Pismo Beach in 2020 with a business partner. That space was born out of a need

for something small, safe, and intentional, a boutique-style salon where we could work and create while also exploring who we were as people and artists outside of the salon.

And then… two weeks after opening, the world shut down.

The pandemic hit, and for the next six months our doors opened and closed on repeat. That season forced stillness (and yall know im not good at being still) , reflection, and some very real soul-searching. During that time, I learned so much about myself  including the realization that a business partnership wasn’t the right long-term path for me. Out of that clarity, Muse began to take shape.

How Muse Got Its Name

Muse was born from inspiration, literally.

I had a Pinterest board titled “Muse.” It wasn’t strategic. It was simply a place where I saved things that made me feel something, colors, textures, spaces, words, moments of joy or calm or excitement. So when it came time to officially name my next salon, I did what I always do: I went to Pinterest.

There it was.
 My Muse board.

And just like that, Muse Salon was born, a space inspired by inspiration itself.

The Early Days: Bare Bones & Big Belief

When Muse first opened, it was pretty bare bones.

It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t finished. But it worked, and more importantly, it held the vision. I am endlessly grateful to the hairstylists who believed in Muse in those early days and chose to grow alongside me (you know who you are). What we had may have been simple, but the belief was strong.

Year by year, iteration by iteration, Muse continued to evolve.

The seed turned into roots.
 And those roots are finally… rooting.

The Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between

If I’m being honest, owning a salon has been one of the most rewarding and challenging things I’ve ever done.

We started with a small team. Then we grew… quickly. And then, just as quickly, we found ourselves back to a smaller team again. The ebb and flow of salon ownership is something I thought I was prepared for… but the truth is, some seasons were harder than I ever imagined.

There were moments of financial stress.
 Team members leaving.
 Onboarding new team members.
 Inventory, systems, growth pains, all of it.

And being who I am, I tend to bottle things up, grin and bear it, and power through without always sharing how heavy it feels. But 2025 brought some real low points, the kind that stretch you, humble you, and force you to grow whether you’re ready or not.

Standing on the other side of that season now, with the team we have, the momentum we’re building, and the sense of alignment we feel, is one of my greatest joys. Watching this salon grow and thrive not just as a business, but as a collective of individuals finding their footing and their confidence, is something I’m deeply proud of (right up there with my kids and my husband).

The Heart of Muse

At its core, Muse exists for the client.

This was never meant to be a typical “luxury salon.” I wanted Muse to feel like a place anyone could walk into and feel comfortable. A place where you can exhale, let loose, either have fun or totally chillax.

Our clients are carving time out of busy lives. They’re paying with hard-earned money in a world that feels heavy at times. Coming to the salon should feel like care, start to finish.

Hair means something. It’s identity. It’s confidence. It’s deeply personal.

To be trusted with that is an honor I will never take lightly.

Growing Forward

This past year has also been about personal growth.

I’ve joined Thriving Leadership. I’ve learned new business skills. I’ve expanded my craft by learning extensions. I’m continuing to grow, not just as a salon owner, but as an artist and a leader. And honestly? It feels like a dream come true.

Now that the foundation is solid and the roots are strong, this next chapter is about watering what we’ve built. Being intentional. Being consistent. Continuing to nurture the culture, the people, and the heart of Muse, while allowing it to grow in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.

Three Years In

Three years of learning.
 Three years of growth.
 Three years of becoming.

If you’ve been part of this journey in any way, thank you. Your trust, your support, and your presence mean more than I could ever put into words.

Here’s to strong roots, honest growth, and everything still unfolding.

Love always,

Juju 💖