Meet Melanie
Melanie’s natural talent for hair styling led her down an entrepreneurial path that gave her flexibility and helped her pay for her two daughters’ education. In 2024, with support from Grameen America, Melanie was able to open her own salon in Harlem, NY.
Melanie got her start in hair styling when the older women in her neighborhood encouraged her to apply for a job at salons looking for people who could do hair. Slowly building a client base, Melanie was able to open her first storefront when her children were young. Melanie’s pure talent allows her to see a hairstyle once and mimic it while specializing in styles like goddess braids, flat twists, fishtail braids, and box braids. When the 2008 recession hit, Melanie lost a lot of clients. To keep her business running, Melanie closed her storefront and rented a hair booth at a salon.
“Owning my own business gave me more flexibility to be present in my children’s lives. I could move around freely by setting my own schedule to be there for appointments or school meetings. By doing hair, I paid their way through school. I always wanted my two daughters to be successful and do better than me. My oldest graduated college and is going back to school for a nursing degree; my youngest just started college to specialize in medical imaging.”
In 2016, Melanie joined Grameen America to purchase essential supplies and products to help rebuild her business and work towards reopening a storefront location. With support from Grameen America, Melanie continued to grow, eventually reaching her dream of opening her own salon in 2024. Using a loan from Grameen America, Melanie bought stations, mirrors, chairs, and dryers to fully equip her new 395-square-foot space. Today, her salon includes three hair dryers, two sinks, four stations, and lounge chairs in the waiting area, a testament to her perseverance and the power of access to opportunity.
“I had to step out again to run my own business, but I wanted to work for myself. The economy is hard right now, but Grameen America makes funds accessible when I need it and helps my business stay afloat.”
Grameen America’s financial and business education workshops taught Melanie how to set up her social media accounts and market her business. Melanie plans to use the next loan from Grameen America to fill her display cabinet with products to increase sales. Melanie’s next goal is to fill the chairs in her salon by renting the booths to other stylists, hoping to connect with hair schools in the community and recruit through word-of-mouth and social media.
“Having a loan from Grameen America every six months helps me as a business owner. It’s easier to repay small amounts at a time. I also look forward to the weekly discussions with other business-minded people in the community. We attend pop-up shops to support each other’s businesses.”
Looking ahead, Melanie hopes to manage the salon, mentor other stylists, and eventually pursue new investments, while also working toward the personal milestone of homeownership.
“Being an entrepreneur gives me peace of mind. I can have ownership over my business, express my ideas and personality, and keep my salon a positive space.”
Since 2024, Grameen America has invested $98,000 in Melanie’s salon business, helping turn years of determination into lasting opportunity and stability.