Listen "Marissa Martin - Building House of Tone, a Nashville salon, for $50K"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, Alan talks with Marissa Martin, Nashville-based colorist and co-founder of House of Tone, a boutique salon in the Wedgwood-Houston neighborhood. After three years of college, Marissa followed her instincts into cosmetology, building a loyal clientele and a decade-long career that included high-profile clients and a front-row seat to how salons scale, and bloat.In 2025, Marissa and her partner Gabby opened House of Tone in a clever live–work space rather than taking on a seven-figure buildout. They invested ~$50K of their own cash, paid it back in about two months, and have been profitable since. They've done this all while preserving a Monday–Thursday schedule and a clear boundary on work-life balance.We cover:Why Marissa walked away from a $1M buildout to open in a live–work spaceHow House of Tone recouped its $50K startup cost in just two monthsWhat she learned from Summit-style salons versus creative freedomThe role of Instagram, sidewalk signs, and community in building clienteleMonetizing constraints: four chairs, Mon–Thu founder schedules, and using Fri/Sat for classes/events/rentals Why they rejected investors, used light bank exposure, and kept full control How she balances growth with lifestyle and work-life prioritiesIf you're interested in building a brick and mortar beauty store, this episode will help you evaluate salon models, deciding between “showpiece” buildouts and scrappy profit-first openings, and how to protect your lifestyle while you grow. Resources & LinksHouse of Tone (IG): https://www.instagram.com/officialhouseoftone Marissa Martin (IG): https://www.instagram.com/marissamartinhairSponsored by Signs and Mirrors, the leading sign and furniture shop for retail stores. Opening Soon Links & Resources→ Signs and furniture for retail stores: https://signsandmirrors.com→ NYC and Houston’s first self-portrait studio: https://fotolab.studio→ Follow us on Instagram: @openingsoonpodcast→ More episodes and guest info: https://www.openingsoonpodcast.com→ Your Host Alan Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-li-711a8629/