Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlee Castro.
Carlee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have wanted to be a hairstylist for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I knew this was what I was meant to do. Becoming a hairstylist was a dream come true, but the reality of the industry was much harder than I ever expected. I experienced unhealthy leadership, lack of integrity, and environments that did not prioritize the well being of the stylist. Over time, I realized that while I loved the craft deeply, I did not feel supported within the spaces I was working in.
In 2023, after 2 years in the industry I moved into a private suite to step away from those unhealthy dynamics. That was where Modern Mane Hair Co was born. She started as a small 112 sq ft suite with just me, a chair, and a vision. What began as a quiet escape from the noise of the industry slowly turned into something much bigger. That little suite eventually grew into the 8 chair salon we are today.
At first, I thought being alone would bring peace. Instead, it brought clarity. I realized I did not just want independence. I wanted community. I wanted a team. I wanted a culture that felt safe and supportive.
In the summer of 2024, my husband and I were expecting our first baby after years of trying to grow our family. Two months into the pregnancy, we experienced the devastating loss of our baby. It was the most painful season of my life. I needed time to grieve physically and emotionally, but instead I felt forced to return to work much sooner than I was ready because my business depended on it. The landlord of my suite showed no compassion or flexibility. In my lowest moment, when I needed support the most, I felt completely alone.
That experience changed me.
It deepened my grief, but it also ignited something in me. I realized that the industry I loved so much had failed me in one of the most vulnerable seasons of my life. I knew I never wanted another stylist to feel that way under my leadership.
So I poured my grief into building something different.
Modern Mane Hair Co is not just a salon, but a home for stylists. I wanted to create an environment where people feel supported not only professionally, but personally. It is easy to celebrate wins and be present when business is thriving. It is much harder to show up for someone when life falls apart, but that is when support matters most.
I built policies around that belief. We offer paid vacation, education, growth opportunities, and flexibility. I care deeply about client experience, but I believe that if a stylist does not feel valued, protected, and supported, no amount of client comfort will sustain the business long term. When stylists feel safe, they stay. When they feel loved, they thrive.
I do not want to build a massive salon empire. I do not want to be the biggest brand. I want to build a salon home. A place where talented artists can grow without fear, where life circumstances are met with compassion, and where people feel genuinely cared for.
My journey has been shaped by both passion and pain. Today, every challenge has fueled my mission to change the culture of this industry from the inside out and to lead in a way I once desperately needed.
Modern Mane Hair Co is more than a business to me. It is purpose born from perseverance. 🤍
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was nowhere near smooth. There were many external factors that made this journey extremely difficult, both professionally and personally.
During the build out and first year of the salon being open, I began IVF treatments. Walking through infertility while trying to grow and stabilize a business is something that tests you in every possible way. The emotional, physical, and financial weight of IVF is heavy on its own. Doing it while leading a team and carrying the responsibility of a new salon made it even more challenging. Throughout that time, I experienced three additional miscarriages.
There were of course other obstacles that made the journey harder than it needed to be, but challenges are part of entrepreneurship. What defines you is how you respond and move forward.
Even in my lowest moments, I remained committed to building a team that felt supported and protected. What I did not expect was that in my hardest season, the very team I poured into would turn around and pour back into me. The women in this salon stepped up, supported me, and carried weight when I could not. That is when I realized we had built something much deeper than a workplace.
This salon has become family. Our first year was not easy, but we faced it together. The struggles strengthened our culture, deepened our relationships, and solidified why Modern Mane Hair Co exists in the first place. Even through a rough beginning, having each other has made it more than worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Modern Mane Hair Co is a luxury booth rental salon located in The Woodlands, Texas. With eight chairs, we intentionally remain on the more intimate side. That size allows us to create a close knit culture while still offering a diverse range of specialties. We truly have a stylist for every preference, personality, and beauty goal.
We specialize in all things color, cutting, and extensions. From dimensional blonding and lived in color to precision cuts and custom extension transformations, our artists are deeply passionate about their craft. Continued education is a core value within our salon, and we are committed to evolving with industry trends while maintaining healthy hair as the foundation of everything we do.
Client experience is at the heart of our brand. From the moment you walk through our doors, we want you to feel cared for. We believe luxury is found in the details. We offer relaxing scalp massages, a curated refreshment bar, snacks, and thoughtful touches that make each appointment feel elevated yet comfortable. Our goal is for every guest to leave not only loving their hair, but feeling refreshed and valued.
What truly sets us apart is the atmosphere. There is a genuine warmth in our space. The love is in the air. We have built a salon culture rooted in kindness, support, and professionalism. Our team operates with collaboration rather than competition, which creates an environment clients can feel immediately.
We proudly carry Seven hair care in an effort to provide clean, high performing products that align with our commitment to healthier beauty standards. We are intentional about the brands we support and the services we provide.
Brand wise, what I am most proud of is the culture. Modern Mane Hair Co is more than a place to get your hair done. It is a space where clients feel known and stylists feel supported. We are not focused on becoming the largest salon. We are focused on becoming the most trusted and loved within our community.
At the end of the day, we want our readers to know that Modern Mane Hair Co is built on heart. It is luxury without intimidation, professionalism without ego, and community without compromise.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory has to be summers. Summers were where my family truly thrived. We spent almost all of our time outside. Whether it was at the lake, riding dirt bikes, camping, floating the river, or just being outdoors together, if it involved sunshine and fresh air, we were there and we loved every second of it.
There was something so simple and pure about those days. No distractions, just laughter, adventure, and time together. Those memories are some of the most special to me and I hold them very close to my heart.
I cannot wait to create those same kinds of summers for my future family one day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://modernmanehair.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmanehair.co?igsh=MXJwbzhqdjg3OWV4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Asv7onyEw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
