Meet Marie Rolla

We recently connected with Marie Rolla and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marie, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

It’s no coincidence that I chose the name “Black Sheep Salon”. I was tired of feeling alone and out of place everywhere I went. I found my success by finding a bigger room, loudly stating my ideals and values, and inviting others to join me. When Black Sheep Salon opened I did not have any staff to bring with me from my previous salons, just a vision, a loyal clientelle that I’m forever thankful for, and a passion for what I stood for.

Carving out space for other people to join me made my vision come to life and I could never have done it alone. Tunowa Silva was the first person who reached out to work along side me after we shared a client. She loved how her hair came out and was surprised to see that her Black client was serviced by a non Black stylist. She wanted to know more about me and reached out to me via instagram right before I was about to open and the rest is history. She helped Black Sheep’s vision come to life and there would be no Black Sheep like it is today without her.

I am forever grateful for each of our staff. Although we’re all quite different and come from different walks of life, the energy we have created by our shared values is what makes Black Sheep Salon what it is. I would be nowhere if I was still feeling like the only person in the room.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Back in 2020 during the shutdown I found Cut it Kinky, an online educational program that taught natural hair to stylists. I had been searching for ways to educate myself in textured hair for most of my career but struggled to find a company that could simply show me how to wash, style, and care for textured hair in it’s natural state. Most curly hair education was still coming from a very white lens and failed to include and center afro textured hair. Taking this training changed my life in more ways than I could imagine.

Culturally salons are very segregated spaces and I quickly found out how challenging integration can be. After about a year of training I made the decision to open my own space after I got in trouble for speaking on racism in salons publicly on my instagram page. I was eventually fired and didn’t see anywhere in the Long Beach area that I felt confident would allign with my values.

Along this journey I spent time thinking about who was historically left out of the average salon space. My vision came to life- We are here to service folks with curls and textured hair, queer and trans people who need gender affirming services, disabled people who may need accommodations to make their hair appointment accessible, and people living in larger bodies that can not fit the typical salon furniture comfortably. When I spun my vision i had coworkers laugh at me and mock me, but the right stylists found our mission statement and jumped on board. We’re lucky to have been in business 4 years now and are fully staffed with 7 talented stylists offering a range of services from curly cuts, color, locs, braids, silk presses, relaxers, barber cuts, extensions, and so much more.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Waiting until I had reached an expert level at hair and was qualified to open a salon was an important part of our success. I had worked diligently behind the chair for 10 years before stepping out to be on my own. By the time I opened I already had learned so much from my previous owners (both what to do and what not to do), I had a full clientele to support me, and a very clear vision.

I find that so many people open up businesses because they don’t like to work with others rather than because there is an actual need that’s not being met. Unless you plan to open up a business where you work completely alone I believe that collaboration is absolutely necessary for success. We are always stronger together and I don’t recommend opening up a store if you are lacking in people skills.

Lastly I believe you need a clear mission statement that includes your values so you can attract like minded people. Not all money is good money and setting a clear stance on where you are helps gain community support that’s vital to the survival of your business.

How would you describe your ideal client?

We love to be folks first positive experience in a salon and to help change the way they feel about going to the salon. Our ideal client shares our values in anti racism, queer and trans liberation, disability justice, and unpacking and unlearning internalized fatphobia and harmful narratives about western beauty standards. We are proudly trans, Latine, and autistic owned and welcome any and all allies who are down for the cause.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blacksheepsalonlbc.com
• Instagram: @blacksheepsalonlbc
• Other: tiktok @blacksheepsalonlbc