HER STORY ⟡ Morgan Merriman

Salon Local is a locally owned, boutique salon located in the heart of Grandview in Columbus, OH. Salon Local was established by Morgan Merriman in 2015. Morgan began cutting hair at 18-years-old and has worked as a local stylist for the past 19 years. Wanting to build something unique, artistic and welcoming, Morgan decided to set out on her own.  She rehabbed and repurposed an old salon, and created a space where clients, stylists and artistic professionals can embrace creative expression and highlight their individuality.

Why I started:

Something not many will to admit to, “My Mom was right!”  I have always loved doing my friends’ hair growing up.  And I love being artistic and working creatively.  My Mom saw that from an early age and when I was deciding on colleges my senior year she said to me, “why don’t you go to school to be a hairstylist?”  Even on my kindergarten class, dress up as “what you want to be when you grow up day”, I dressed as a “perm-er” I called it.  My grandmother used to be a hair stylist and permed my hair a lot… I guess it really set in.  ;)

What I love about being a business owner:

I never thought I wanted to be a business owner.  Too many responsibilities and it seemed overwhelming years ago.  But now!  I am so glad I have had the opportunity to create a space that not only I enjoy coming to everyday, but a space where others feel comfortable and safe running their business side by side!  The team I have had the pleasure of working with have given me a sense of accomplishment like no other.   Working with not only my “coworkers” but people I call friends by my side everyday, the ones who “get me”,  couldn’t be a greater joy and reward.

What advice would you give your past self just starting your business?

My Dad’s motivational quote and his boat’s name.  “Do it now.”