When Michelle Robert stepped into the world of beauty, Salon Michelle came to life with a simple yet profound vision. She just didn’t aim to build another salon in Mumbai, she wanted to fix a deeper gap in the industry.
This Women’s Day, let’s hear the story of Michelle Robert, as she speaks about her vision and her journey in a candid conversation with Vidhi Arya.
Founder of Salon Michelle, Michelle Robert holds over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry. After years of training with global brands, she realised that while many salons were service-driven, they lacked a process-driven approach.
With this realisation, she set out to build a salon where correction, precision, and integrity mattered more than upselling. Hence, she founded Salon Michelle in 2006 in Andheri, Mumbai.
Michelle says, “Over the years, my understanding has deepened — clients don’t just want good hair, they want clarity, honesty, and someone who truly understands what their hair needs long term.”
Proving Her Mettle in a Man’s World
Being a woman is business, especially in a market like India, has never been a cake walk. And, while talent and discipline stayed by Michelle’s side, her experience was no different.
She recalls “There were moments with landlords, vendors, and even salons where I used to visit as a trainer where I felt I was being assessed not as an entrepreneur, or a technician but as a “woman running a beauty setup.””
Yet, repeated challenges only strengthened her resolve. When confidence in one’s skill and self-worth runs deep, a person becomes unshakeable. She explains, “I had to be more prepared, more detailed, more assertive. But I chose not to react emotionally. I let competence speak. When you understand your numbers, your craft, and your vision deeply, you don’t need to shout. Over time, consistency earns respect. Today, I walk into rooms knowing I belong there.”
Carving a Name For Herself
Mumbai is full of chain salons, but Michelle’s aim was simple: She never tried to compete on scale. She wanted to compete on depth.
With time, Salon Michelle became known for correction work: fixing bad colour jobs, chemical damage, complicated hair histories. This focus on precision and problem-solving steadily built trust among clients. The salon also invested heavily in continuous staff training every three months, maintained strict hygiene standards, and upheld transparent pricing policies.
Michelle emphasises, “Clients stay when they feel safe. We don’t oversell. We educate. And when something goes wrong, I personally step in to resolve it. Loyalty is not built by glamour, it’s built by accountability.”
Wearing Multiple Hats at Once
For Michelle, a salon cannot run on creativity alone, it must run on systems.
From finances and operations to staffing and training, she believes in staying closely involved in every aspect of the business. “I track numbers. I monitor product sourcing. I oversee training personally. Creativity brings clients in, but operations keep the doors open,” she says.
Through managing her salon on multiple fronts, her biggest learning has been clear: “Passion without structure leads to burnout. Structure without passion leads to mediocrity. The balance of both creates sustainability.”
Michelle and Her Relationship With Beauty
When Michelle began her journey, beauty was about transformation, but now it is all about confidence. She explains, “I have seen women walk in unsure and walk out standing taller. Beauty is not about trends anymore. It is about alignment — your hair, your personality, your lifestyle.”
As her relationship with beauty evolved, she also became more comfortable in her own skin. She says, “Experience teaches you that elegance is not loud. It is assured.”
Philosophy That Guides Her
Her philosophy is distilled into four simple words: “Education first. Ego last.”
She trains her team to understand not just how to do something, but why they are doing it. She insists on original products, strict hygiene discipline, and transparent consultations. “With clients, honesty builds long-term relationships,” she says. “I would rather refuse a service than compromise hair health.”
Growth, for Michelle, is not about opening multiple outlets. “It’s about deepening standards.”
A Message to Fellow Women Entrepreneurs
One piece of advice that has stayed with Michelle through her journey is “Master your craft so deeply that nobody can dismiss you.” Building on this belief, Michelle has a clear message for the women in this industry:
“Don’t dilute your standards to be liked. Learn your numbers. Invest in skill. Be ethical even when shortcuts seem tempting. And remember, being kind does not mean being soft. You can build with grace and still be unshakeable.”
