Check Out Monica Johnson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Johnson.

Hi Monica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was the little girl that gave all of my Barbies makeovers in hindsight, I already had the talent just never knew that I would end up in the beauty industry, even at the age of 12 when I begin braiding hair for my friends, the thought of being a beautician never crossed my mind and after graduating high school I went to community college for a year and decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do and through the persuasion of one of my family members I ended up going to beauty school and I obtained my license in October of 1998. 2 weeks after my 20th birthday.

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 definitely was not an easy road, but had it not been for my mentor that I could lean on when I had my moments of imposter syndrome I would not be where I am today. She definitely encouraged me and always told me to seek more information there’s always multiple ways to learn how to do a certain skill and whichever one fit my learning style is what I stuck with.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a licensed master cosmetologist, and I am also an educator and soon to be mentor. I specialize in healthy hair and I’ve really been honing my skills as a colorist especially for highly textured hair. The thing I am most proud of is in December 2025 I partnered with another seasoned beautician and we opened a salon suite together. It has been a great feeling truly being an independent salon owner even if it is just a suite it’s still mine. The one thing that sets me apart from others is that I am an advocate for educating my clients and keeping their hair healthy I also love learning and consider myself a self-proclaimed hair nerd to the point. I have enrolled in online college classes to obtain my BS degree in strategic leadership with an emphasis in beauty and wellness. I also have provided myself in remaining teachable.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice for anyone looking for a mentor would be to vet the person that you’re seeking mentorship from the same way you with a relationship. Sometimes people present themselves to be the best of the best but you may not be able to get everything that you need from them and that’s OK. Just be diligent in making sure they can offer you exactly what you feel you would need to be successful in this industry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/stylesbymonicanicole
• Other: https://Vagaro.com/stylesbymonicanicole