Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Salazar.
Hi mario, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My Journey: From Music and Art to The Hair Lab Salon
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, right in the heart of the Heights area. My artistic spirit comes from my father — a hardworking carpenter with a love for music and painting. He had a gift for working with his hands and creating beauty from raw materials, whether it was wood, a canvas, or a song. Watching him create with pride taught me the value of craftsmanship, something that would later define my career.
Growing up, everyone thought my brother John and I would become professional baseball players. That was the dream — or at least my parents’ dream. But deep down, I knew my heart belonged to music and art. When a new rule kept me from playing high school baseball due to low grades, I was devastated — and so was my father. But looking back, that setback was a blessing. It pushed me toward discovering who I really was.
In high school, I spent countless hours in my room, playing air guitar, dancing, and daydreaming about performing on stage. In the late ’80s, that’s what we did — we lived for music. After graduation, a group of childhood friends formed a Tejano band, and I was their biggest supporter. One day, my friend — our musical mastermind — handed me a book of keyboard chords and said, “You’re our keyboardist. Go home and learn this.” I didn’t play an instrument, but he saw something in me — a spark that no one else had noticed.
Before long, I was performing on stage with my band, Estilo, and we were signed to Capitol EMI Latin Records. We toured across Texas and opened for major Tejano acts. It was an incredible time — full of energy, excitement, and growth. During those years, I started cutting and styling my own hair because, frankly, no one else could get it right! My bandmates began asking me for haircuts too, and that’s how my passion for hairstyling was born — right there in the middle of my music career.
But as my mother wisely predicted, the band didn’t last forever. When Estilo fell apart, I found myself lost, with no clear direction. My mom reminded me of my creative gift and encouraged me to explore cosmetology. Around that same time, I took a job at a refinery in Pasadena. After one exhausting day, I knew it wasn’t for me. I remember driving home, throwing my hard hat out the car window (not my proudest moment — don’t try that, kids!) and deciding to take a leap of faith into cosmetology school.
From the moment I enrolled, I knew I’d found my calling. For the first time in my life, I excelled in something academic — and it filled me with pride and purpose. After completing cosmetology school, I landed my first salon job at Toni & Guy in the Houston Galleria Mall. I had no idea that this was one of the top salons in the world, known for its education and cutting-edge creativity. For ten years, I absorbed everything I could from Toni & Guy — precision cutting, innovative styling, and the importance of constant learning. That experience built the foundation for my entire career.
It was also at Toni & Guy that I met my wife, MariaElena. From the moment we met, I knew she was the one. We married soon after the birth of our son, Mario Jr. (MJ), and later welcomed our beautiful twin girls, Mia and Sadie. In the early days, life moved fast — starting a family while building my career wasn’t easy. But Maria and I shared a passion for creativity, and I encouraged her to join the beauty industry too. She took the leap, and today, she’s an incredibly talented colorist and stylist who continues to inspire me every day.
After ten years with Toni & Guy, I took another leap — going independent. I was nervous, thinking my success was tied to the salon’s name. But to my surprise, about 90% of my clientele followed me. That gave me the confidence to believe fully in my own skills.
Maria and I later partnered and worked side by side for eight years in the River Oaks/Montrose area — she handled color, and I handled cutting and styling. During that time, we quietly prepared for our ultimate dream: owning our own salon. We didn’t have a set timeline, but we slowly collected furniture, tools, and supplies over the years. When we finally took inventory, we realized we had almost everything we needed to start.
It was then we knew — it was time.
That’s how The Hair Lab Salon was born. From day one, things seemed to fall perfectly into place. Yes, there were challenges, but God’s timing was evident in every step we took. Today, after nearly seven years in business, The Hair Lab has become a thriving salon serving the Spring Branch and Hilshire Village communities. Our son MJ has now joined the industry — and fittingly, he started at the same Toni & Guy where my journey began.
Every day, I feel blessed to do what I love alongside my wife. What started as a dream, built with faith, hard work, and determination, has become our life’s purpose. We take pride in every client we serve and every trend we create.
I often think back to the assistant principal who once told me I’d never amount to anything — even suggesting I drop out of school. If only he could see me now. His words became fuel for my determination.
To anyone dreaming of starting their own business, remember this: your dream is there for a reason. With faith, perseverance, and passion, anything is possible. God’s timing is never wrong.
The Hair Lab Salon — Where Trends Are Created.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning a business always comes with challenges, but nothing could have prepared us for what was ahead. One of our scariest moments as first-time business owners came just two years after opening our doors — when the world shut down during the pandemic. There’s no playbook for navigating a global crisis, especially when you’re still learning the ropes of entrepreneurship. We were flying by the seat of our pants, doing everything we could to keep ourselves, our clients, and our community safe.
We immediately put strict safety protocols in place and stayed committed to following every guideline possible. To our surprise, word spread that The Hair Lab Salon was taking the pandemic seriously, and we began gaining new clients who appreciated our commitment to keeping them comfortable and protected. It was shocking to hear how some salons weren’t taking precautions, putting people at risk.
Then came the hardest part — being required to close our doors for more than a month. Sitting at home, knowing we couldn’t bring in revenue, was one of the most stressful and helpless feelings we’d ever experienced. We prayed a lot, leaned on our faith, and reminded ourselves that if God had brought us this far, He wouldn’t abandon us now.
When we were finally allowed to reopen, we didn’t know what to expect — but what happened next blew us away. Our regular clients returned in full force, and we saw an influx of new clients eager for a safe and welcoming environment. It was chaotic, overwhelming, and emotional, but it reminded us of why we started The Hair Lab in the first place — to serve, to create, and to uplift.
Even after the pandemic, challenges didn’t stop. One of the ongoing struggles in our industry has been competing with the rise of salon suites.This has made hiring challenging.While these spaces offer independence, I’ve seen firsthand how they can take away from the true salon culture — the mentorship, education, teamwork, and professionalism that make stylists grow. Too often, clients come to us after being cancelled on or rescheduled last minute by suite stylists, frustrated by the lack of structure and unprofessionalism.
Running a business isn’t just about having freedom — it’s about responsibility, consistency, and care for your clients. At The Hair Lab, we take pride in providing not just great hair, but a true salon experience — one built on integrity, professionalism, and passion.
Through every obstacle, we’ve learned that perseverance and faith can carry you through anything. The pandemic tested us in ways we never imagined, but it also strengthened our foundation and reminded us that our purpose goes far beyond hair.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At The Hair Lab Salon, I specialize in precision cutting and modern styling techniques designed to complement each client’s unique features, lifestyle, and personality. My foundation comes from over a decade with Toni & Guy, where I trained under some of the most respected educators in the industry. That experience shaped my approach — clean lines, innovative structure, and a deep understanding of how a haircut can completely transform the way someone feels.
While I focus on haircutting and styling, my wife MariaElena is the salon’s color expert. She brings a keen eye for tone, dimension, and creativity to every look she creates.Maria also specialises in Hair Extensions.Together, we’re a balanced team — she brings color to life, and I bring that color into motion with a cut that enhances it perfectly.
What truly sets The Hair Lab apart is our commitment to education, integrity, and personalized service. We believe in constant learning and staying ahead of trends, but never at the expense of listening to what our clients actually want. Every appointment is a collaboration — we take time to understand your hair, your habits, and your goals so that your style works for you long after you leave the chair.
We’re also proud to offer something that’s becoming rare in this industry: a true salon culture. So many stylists today work in isolated suites, which can take away from the shared creativity and mentorship that help artists grow. At The Hair Lab, we thrive on teamwork, inspiration, and connection.
Our philosophy is simple:
Quality over quantity. Education over ego. People over profit.
We’re known for our trendy, wearable cuts, our fashion-forward color work, and our comfortable, welcoming atmosphere where every client feels seen and valued. Whether you’re coming in for a complete transformation or a small refresh, our goal is always the same — to make you look and feel your absolute best.
At the end of the day, our job isn’t just about hair — it’s about confidence, creativity, and connection. That’s what The Hair Lab Salon is built on.
What’s next?
As much as Maria and I are proud of what we’ve built over the past seven years, we know this is just the beginning. The future excites us — not only for the growth of The Hair Lab Salon but for the deeper impact we want to have on our community and the industry as a whole.
We’re looking forward to expanding our team by mentoring new talent who share our passion for education, professionalism, and exceptional client care. I believe strongly in passing down knowledge and creating a space where stylists can thrive creatively and personally, just as I was fortunate to experience early in my career.
Family will always be central to everything we do. Watching our son, Mario Jr., begin his own career in the same industry — and even at the same Toni & Guy where I started — fills us with pride and hope. It reminds us that hair artistry is more than a business; it’s a legacy and a way to connect generations through creativity and passion.
Looking further down the road, we’re exploring the possibility of opening a second location to bring The Hair Lab experience to more neighborhoods around Houston. We want to grow thoughtfully, keeping our commitment to personalized service and community engagement intact.
Ultimately, our biggest goal is to continue creating a salon where every client feels valued, inspired, and confident — and where every stylist feels supported to do their best work. We’re excited for the challenges and opportunities ahead, trusting that with hard work, faith, and dedication, the best is yet to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehairlabhouston.com
