Meet Monet Thomas-Shaw | Salon Owner, Stylist, Realtor & Serial Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monet Thomas-Shaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monet, how do you think about risk?
At just 19 years old, I made the bold decision to step into the challenging world of entrepreneurship, choosing a path that many might consider too ambitious or risky for someone my age. But for me, it felt like the natural progression of everything I’d been drawn to since I was young – the artistry of transforming someone’s look through hair and the strategic challenge of building something from the ground up.
I’ve always enjoyed exploring my talents with hair and business management. There’s something magical about the moment when a client sits in my chair and trusts me to create their vision, or when I perfect a new cutting technique I’ve been practicing. The creative process energizes me – whether it’s mastering the perfect balayage, creating intricate updos for special occasions, or simply giving someone that fresh cut that makes them light up with confidence.

What should our readers know about your business?
Working as a hair stylist while attending college full-time keeps me incredibly busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I rush from my last morning appointment to campus, often grabbing lunch on the way. In my business management classes, I’m absorbing theories that I immediately apply to my salon. Marketing strategies become real campaigns for my Instagram. Accounting principles help me understand my cash flow better. Human resources concepts improve how I handle client relationships.
The afternoons are a careful dance of time management. Sometimes I’m squeezing in study sessions between classes in the library. Other days, I’m back at the salon for evening appointments, where the atmosphere is more relaxed, and clients often become friends. They understand that I’m juggling school too, and many have become my biggest cheerleaders.
My weekends aren’t typical college weekends. While my classmates might be sleeping in or attending parties, I’m often at the salon by 7 AM for my busiest days. Saturday mornings are wedding preparation season, where I create elaborate styles for bridal parties. Sundays, when the salon is closed, are for spending time with my family, deep cleaning, restocking, planning the week ahead, and catching up on coursework.
The business side challenges me in ways I never expected. Managing inventory, tracking expenses, marketing my services, building client relationships, and maintaining proper licensing requires constant attention. I’ve learned to read profit and loss statements, set competitive pricing, and create systems that keep everything running smoothly. Every decision, from choosing products to setting appointment policies, impacts both my business and my education.
Staying focused and working hard has provided the life I truly enjoy. There’s an incredible satisfaction in building something that’s entirely mine while investing in my future through education. Some days are overwhelming – when a client crisis overlaps with exam week, or when I’m running on four hours of sleep. But those challenges have taught me resilience and problem-solving skills that no classroom could provide.
My risk has already paid dividends. I’m building an established client base that graduates with me. I’m developing real-world business experience that makes me stand out from my peers. Most importantly, I’m proving to myself that with dedication and smart planning, seemingly impossible goals become achievable milestones.
This journey isn’t just about cutting hair or earning a degree – it’s about crafting a life where my passions fuel my success, where every challenge strengthens my resolve, and where taking risks becomes the foundation for creating exactly the future I envision for myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my most cherished travel experiences was my extraordinary 10-day journey through London, Paris, and Rome. Each city offered its own unique tapestry of experiences that continues to live vividly in my memory.
London captivated me with its perfect blend of traditional charm and contemporary energy. I immersed myself in the rich culture, from exploring historic landmarks to discovering hidden local gems. But what truly enchanted me were the mornings – waking to the intoxicating aroma of fresh-baked bread wafting through my window was an experience that awakened all my senses and set the perfect tone for each day’s adventures.
Paris brought pure magic to my journey. Standing beneath the majestic Eiffel Tower, I felt the romance and grandeur that the city is famous for. The hours spent shopping along the charming streets, discovering boutiques filled with treasures, created memories I treasure deeply. Each moment in Paris felt like stepping into a living postcard, with beauty around every corner.
However, Rome became the undisputed highlight of my entire adventure. The city’s ancient history wasn’t just something I learned about – it surrounded me, breathed life into every stone and structure I encountered. I spent days wandering through seemingly endless museums, each room revealing new wonders of art, sculpture, and artifacts that spanned millennia. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican – these weren’t just tourist stops, but portals to another time that left me awestruck.
This remarkable journey through three of Europe’s most iconic cities created an unforgettable tapestry of experiences. From London’s morning bakeries to Paris’s romantic boulevards and Rome’s timeless history, every moment enriched my understanding of culture, beauty, and the wider world. This trip didn’t just pass through time – it became a permanent part of who I am.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I was raised by my grandfather, a remarkable and truly gifted man whose unconventional spirit shaped everything I would become. He wasn’t just different – he was extraordinary, with talents that seemed to flow from him as naturally as breathing, whether he was building furniture by hand, telling stories that painted vivid pictures in my mind, or tackling challenges that others deemed impossible. His uniqueness wasn’t just something I observed; it became the lens through which he raised me, always encouraging me to forge my own path rather than following the well-worn trails of others.
My grandfather’s belief in me was unwavering and transformative. He had this incredible way of seeing potential in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself, pushing me to trust my instincts and follow my heart even when doubt crept in. His lessons weren’t always gentle – he challenged me constantly, believing that pressure creates diamonds and that comfort zones are where dreams go to die. He’d say things like, “The world already has enough followers, it needs more leaders like you,” and somehow, I began to believe him.
My mother’s influence was the perfect complement to my grandfather’s drive. Where he pushed me to reach higher, she created the safe space where I could land when I stumbled. Her love was like a constant warm embrace, always there to catch me when my grandfather’s high expectations became overwhelming. She had this unique ability to see my authentic self and celebrate it wholeheartedly. When I doubted myself, she’d remind me of my strengths. When I took risks, she’d be right there cheering me on.
She became my biggest fan in the truest sense – not just showing up for the big moments, but noticing and appreciating the small victories too. Whether I was trying a new hairstyle technique, studying for a difficult exam, or making tough business decisions, her support never wavered. She had this way of making me feel like whatever path I chose was valid, as long as it was authentically mine.
Together, they created this beautiful balance in my upbringing. My grandfather would push me to leap, teaching me that fear was just excitement in disguise, while my mother would ensure I had a soft place to land, reminding me that my worth wasn’t measured by my achievements alone. Their influence is woven into everything I do now – my grandfather’s drive keeps me pursuing excellence, while my mother’s unconditional support gives me the courage to be vulnerable and true to myself, even in a world that often rewards conformity over authenticity.

Website: https://www.eshallencehd.com

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