Today we’d like to introduce you to Michel Napolitano de Almeida.
Hi Michel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Michel Napolitano de Almeida, and I have dedicated my life to the beauty industry for more than 25 years.
Born in Brazil on January 10, 1985, I grew up in a family of hairstylists. At just 15 years old, I started working as an assistant in my parents’ salon, where I discovered my passion for beauty, education, and helping people build confidence through their appearance.
By the age of 18, I had already opened my first salon, Creattive, which quickly became one of the largest beauty salons in my city. Throughout my career, I invested heavily in education, training with some of the most respected institutions in the world, including Tony & Guy in London, Vidal Sassoon in Berlin and London, Longueras in Paris and Barcelona, and Pivot Point, where I became a certified instructor.
My passion for education led me to train and mentor hundreds of beauty professionals. Over the years, I developed innovative techniques, created professional training programs, and helped many individuals build successful careers in the beauty industry.
In 2013, I founded the Michel Napolitano Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free professional education for young people and adults facing difficult life circumstances. Through this initiative, more than 230 individuals received professional training and opportunities to enter the workforce.
In 2014, I launched one of the most meaningful projects of my career: Fios de Alegria (Threads of Joy), a nonprofit initiative that collects donated hair and provides wigs to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This project continues to serve the community today and remains one of my proudest achievements.
I also spent many years in television, hosting beauty, health, and community-focused programs that reached thousands of viewers and promoted education, wellness, and social causes.
In 2019, I moved to the United States to pursue new opportunities and bring my experience to a larger market. Since then, I have built a successful beauty business, developed innovative balayage and hair extension techniques, launched a hair extension distribution company, and created educational programs for professionals in multiple countries, including the United States, Brazil, Spain, Italy, and Dubai.
I also founded MNA Salon Suites, a modern coworking concept designed to help beauty professionals grow their businesses in a supportive and professional environment.
Today, my mission remains the same as when I started at age 15: to transform lives through beauty, education, entrepreneurship, and community service. Every achievement in my career has been driven by a desire not only to build successful businesses, but also to create opportunities for others to grow and succeed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My biggest challenge was immigrating to a new country. Leaving my comfort zone, adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and rebuilding my career from the ground up required resilience and determination. Professionally, one of the most difficult tasks has always been finding the right people—individuals whose values, energy, and commitment align with our company culture. I strongly believe that a great work environment is built on trust, connection, and a shared vision. Looking back, despite all the challenges, immigrating was the best decision of my life. It allowed me to grow, connect with incredible people, and build a future I am truly proud of.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What sets me apart from other professionals is not only my technical knowledge, but the experience I have gained over more than 25 years in the beauty industry. Experience taught me that creating beautiful hair is only part of the job. The most important skill is learning how to truly listen.
Over the years, I developed the ability to understand my clients’ goals, expectations, lifestyle, and daily routines. Every client has a different vision of beauty, and my role is to bridge the gap between what they want and what is realistically achievable while maintaining the health and integrity of their hair.
Because I started my career at a very young age, I have spent decades working closely with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. Today, often after just a conversation, I can identify not only what a client is asking for, but what they truly need. That level of understanding creates trust, confidence, and consistently better results.
I am most proud of the relationships I have built throughout my career and the positive impact my work has had on my clients’ confidence and self-esteem. Helping people feel beautiful is what continues to inspire me every day.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is to focus on building the right connections and truly understanding your clients. Technical skills are essential, but what really sets you apart is the ability to listen, identify your clients’ desires, and adapt those expectations to their reality and lifestyle. Over time, I learned that success in this industry is not just about creating beautiful hair—it’s about creating trust. When clients feel understood, they become loyal, and that is what builds a lasting career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.napolitanobeautyco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/napolitanobeautyco
