Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariia Mudra.
Mariia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thank you so much for having me. My name is Mariia Mudra, and I’m the founder of KRASA Beauty Studio. I currently live in New York City, but Houston holds a very special place in my heart, it’s where my business was born, where my team works, and where I come often to see my clients and community.
The idea of creating my own salon came from disappointment in how the beauty industry worked.
I spent years working for others and saw that most salons cared more about money than clients. My schedule was always overbooked : three clients at the same time and I couldn’t give them the quality time and care they deserved.
One day I realized I didn’t want to work by someone else’s rules anymore. I knew I could do it better.
When I opened my first salon, I had only $500 and a tiny room with no windows, no doors, not even a sink. My first client’s appointment was a partial install of Ice Fusion and it was a win. Someone was interested and it was all that mattered. And that same woman is still a client of my studio 2,5 years later.
Three months after opening I moved to a bigger space with windows now (laughing) and hired my first employee and that was the moment I knew I wanted to grow. I wanted KRASA to exist in every city in the US and hopefully even worldwide. I didn’t want to make money off people’s problems and insecurities. I wanted to help them feel beautiful, confident and seen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was never easy and it still isn’t. There were many times I wanted to give up. I remember nights when I thought of closing everything, selling the business, just walking away. But then I’d think of my clients, people who have trusted me for years, who fly in from other states and countries just to see me. They’d say “If you ever stop doing this, we’ll find you anywhere in the world.” That kind of loyalty keeps me going.
One of the toughest challenges came a year and a half after I opened KRASA. Some former employees stole hair, tools, pictures, my client list. It was unexpected as we were close friends at the time but it taught me how to protect myself and my business. Now every detail is handled professionally with contracts, NDAs, and clear boundaries.
I learned that being kind doesn’t mean being naive. You can lead with empathy and still protect your work.
And that’s something every business owner eventually learns, the value of boundaries, respect, and self-worth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
KRASA Beauty Studio is a luxury studio specializing in Ice Fusion Hair Extensions, color correction, and advanced hair-care treatments. But to me it’s a place where every client feels seen and valued.
Every client is a friend. They can text me any time of day or night if they have a question. I always respond, because there are no “silly questions” when it comes to something as personal as your appearance.
We also work with people who’ve gone through deeply personal experiences: cancer survivors, people recovering from hair loss or surgery, or those living with alopecia. Helping them feel confident again is the most meaningful part of my work.
What sets us apart is our individual approach, transparency, and integrity. We never overbook, never upsell, never rush. Our mission is to bring trust and sincerity back into the beauty industry. I’m also proud of our education programs. We train stylists not just in technique, but in mindset how to build a career with ethics and confidence. I’m now working on a course that helps beauty professionals open their own studios or start working independently. I believe in giving people tools, not just trends.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is simple: just do it. If you never start, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. In today’s world of fast, accessible marketing and endless opportunities, the worst thing you can do is wait for the “perfect moment.” Take action, experiment, learn as you go.
And always remember why you’re doing it, whether it’s for recognition, financial stability, a better life, or because you want to bring something meaningful to others. Every reason is valid. What truly matters is that you move forward with purpose. Less waiting, more doing.
Pricing:
- I’d love to mention that our pricing is completely transparent and open everywhere. You can find it on our website, Instagram, Square, Google Maps literally anywhere. My main rule is simple: there are no hidden costs. If we tell you your Hair Extension service will be $1200 – it will be exactly $1200 and not a dollar more. I absolutely dislike when salons surprise clients with extra charges so in my business it’s non-negotiable. We work on a set price system. Before any service, I always invite clients for a consultation: in-person or online where we discuss every detail upfront. And one more thing: we never offer discounts on Hair Extensions done in my signature Ice Fusion technique. It’s a patented unique method that I developed and no one in the world performs it quite the same way. That’s why our pricing reflects not just the materials, but the craftsmanship, experience, and care behind it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://krasabeauty.studio/houston/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krasabeautystudio?igsh=MWtuNnR1dXdqbzhodg%3D%3D#
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/mariiamudraa/
