Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan.
Megan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As I sat down to answer these questions and reflect on my journey, I received the news that my first—and really only —mentor in the hair industry, Lenny King, had passed away. It stopped me in my tracks. When you’re so focused on where you’re going, you don’t always stop to think about the people and moments that helped shape who you became. So the timing of being asked to tell my story felt especially meaningful and immediately took me back to where it all began.
More than 25 years ago, I was a 20-year-old hairstylist fresh out of school who barely knew how to mix color. I walked into his salon one day, asked if he was hiring, and he asked if I could start the next day. I assisted him for about two years while building my own clientele, and that mentorship gave me the foundation and confidence to eventually go out on my own.
From there, I went from working on commission, to booth rental, to eventually having my own private suite. I spent the next two decades building my business and my confidence behind the chair. I don’t know that I thought of myself as an entrepreneur back then—I was just a hairstylist taking care of my clients and growing my business. But looking back, I was learning how to build relationships, market myself, run a business and trust my own decisions.
Those decades behind the chair also led me to the idea for the Hair Stair™. I’m only 5’1”, and for years I struggled to comfortably reach my clients. I’d have them slouch down, stand on my tiptoes or wear uncomfortable shoes just for the extra height. I finally tried using step stools, but everything I found was too tall, awkward or simply not practical behind a salon chair. Nothing was actually made for hairstylists.
That’s when I decided I was going to create it myself. I remember excitedly telling my husband that I wanted to manufacture a step specifically for stylists. He asked, “How are you going to do that? And where are you going to get the money?” My answer was, “Wherever it’s at.” I had no idea how to manufacture a product, find an engineer or fund it—I just knew I was going to figure it out.
From there, Hair Stair really became a family journey. Eric is a designer, and he took the idea I had in my head and designed the physical Hair Stair, which we then worked with an engineer to bring to life. Our son Phoenix came up with the name “Hair Stair,” and both of our boys have been right there with us, helping at hair shows and supporting the business as it’s grown. We’re a family that really encourages one another’s ideas and dreams, and I love that each of them has played a part in bringing this one to life.
Today, Hair Stair has gone from an idea behind my salon chair to a product being used by stylists across the country, and I’m preparing to step away from doing hair after more than 25 years to focus on Hair Stair full time. It’s exciting and a little scary to close such a huge chapter of my life, but it also feels like everything I’ve done has led me here.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Some of my biggest challenges came from stepping into a completely new world. I had spent more than 25 years building a successful career as a hairstylist, but product development, engineering, manufacturing and funding were completely new to me. There were definitely moments when I questioned whether I was qualified to take on something so far outside of what I knew.
At the same time, I realized that my years behind the chair had prepared me in ways I didn’t recognize at first. Doing hair taught me how to work hard, build relationships, solve problems, run a business and keep showing up when things get difficult. I just had to learn how to apply those same skills in a new way.
There have been plenty of setbacks, mistakes and moments when I didn’t know what the next step was, but I’ve learned that you don’t have to know everything before you begin. You just have to be willing to learn, ask for help and keep moving forward.
We’ve been impressed with Hair Stair , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Hair Stair is an ergonomic, ant-fatigue step stool created specifically for salon professionals. It’s tip-proof and slip resistant, with a handle that makes it easy to position behind the salon chair. The Hair Stair gives you that extra step, helping you get your body into a more comfortable and proper working position. By improving your positioning behind the chair, it can help reduce the strain and fatigue that salon professionals often experience in their legs, feet, neck, shoulders and back during long hours on their feet.
My hope is that everyone who uses the Hair Stair will feel better and be able to work more comfortably and efficiently. It’s amazing how much better you can work when your body feels better and you’re in a position that allows you to focus on what you do best.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t know that I would call it luck as much as gratitude. I’m incredibly grateful for the people who have believed in me, encouraged me and helped me along the way, and there have definitely been moments where the right person or opportunity seemed to show up at just the right time. But I also believe those moments came because I had already made the decision to move forward and was willing to keep going even when I didn’t know how everything was going to work out.
One thing I hope people take from my story is that you don’t have to feel “lucky” to go after something you want. You don’t have to have all the money, connections, education or answers before you begin. Believe in yourself and your idea, make the decision, and start moving toward it. The resources, people and those little aha moments tend to show up along the way—but you have to keep moving. I truly believe we’re capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for, and that you can do or become almost anything if you’re willing to believe it’s possible and keep going.
Pricing:
- $99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hairstair.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hair_stair_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18SKTYkXNv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hairstair.com
