Rising Stars: Meet Oxana Meade

Today we’d like to introduce you to Oxana Meade.

Oxana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Part of my story begins in the small country of Moldova (imagine about 1/3 the size of Tennessee), where I am originally from. This is a country that’s structured with no middle class and very limited resources. I grew up where women don’t have a lot of rights nor a voice, and it is very engraved in you to understand that as a woman, many opportunities won’t come to you. The simple facets of life such as going to work, have running water, paying for everything on your own, having an apartment, a bathroom, supporting yourself – does not come easily to everyone there. I lived there in a 60 sq. ft. apartment, sharing a common living room and bathroom with other people and raising my two younger siblings.

By the time I was in the 9th grade, I could already feel my passion for wanting to do hair growing – but I finished high school and received a full college scholarship for finance. Two years in during summer break at the age of 21, I had the opportunity to come to America where I worked at a Mcdonald’s in Mississippi, not even knowing the English language (that soon changed by the end of the summer). Soon after, I moved to Alabama where I worked at the Grand Hotel as a server/hostess. This was the beginning of all my opportunities when I came to America and never went back.

I was in Alabama for seven years and truly lived in the most amazing town working then at a small hair salon, but I knew there was still so much more out there for me and I wanted to get out, discover and learn from the best in hair. At that time, I had my daughter London and a husband, and even though everything felt right, I went with my instincts to move to Nashville. I had only visited once but knew that was the place for me.

So here I am, with my daughter moving to Nashville fitting anything we could into our car – a futon mattress, couple pots and pans, our clothes, you name it. And shortly after moving, I began working at Element Salon where I learned an incredible amount very quickly, such as the true technique of balayage that I still use today. I then moved my career over to Parlour 3. I remember not knowing who Carrie Underwood was at the time but she saw a picture online from Parlour 3 and looked up the salon and thought, never in my dreams could I work there. And a year later, I received an offer from them. I continued to build up my career and clientele there for three years, and still in that moment knew I could keep on growing and even go out on my own.

The right opportunity came at the right time, and so I opened my own salon – Oxana Salon.

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?
When I first opened, it was a lot of sleepness nights and hard work, but I continuously thought, what can I change here for the better, how can I elevate this business, where can I be proactive and enhance customer service.

Only a year into opening, we hit the pandemic which was a learning curve like no other. I soon realized we have to keep up our connection and communication with our clients not only behind the chair but in other areas outside the salon – online and through social media to sell products, educate clients, and create and cultivate those relationships nationwide. During lockdown, we still managed to keep up our retail sales as if we were open. That profit, I used to pay the employees that didn’t receive unemployment right away. And I was still going to the salon everyday to prepare the space for when clients would come back. I knew each day was another day closer to us opening back up again.

After the lockdown, I was working around the clock to make sure clients were accommodated, schedules were changed to ensure both staff and clients were safe, safety policies were in place, everything. Being able to adjust to these changes and shifts in wants and needs was vital. Only a short year ago, this was when we had about eight stylists on the floor. And now? We have 38 employees across two locations. Our second location in Brentwood fell into our lap and was the best thing to ever happen to us,

My team is taught that if you do the right thing, work hard, show up everyday and serve people from the heart, it will always work out. There will always be an opportunity for learning, growing and to come out better on top because of it. I believe this is what draws people to come and apply to work with us. You can change the life of someone sitting in your chair, and that is something truly special.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in balayage and low-maintenance color. I’m a single mom and I know I need something where I still look good but can’t make it into the salon all the time. We are busy, we have families and careers so seeing how the balayage grows out over time and how people love it – that is why I started doing it.

What I’m most proud of is that I found my niche and craft. I’m proud of the relationships that I have with my clients but then also my employees as well. I grow people for a living. I love seeing new people come in who are still figuring out their way and push them to be their very best. I am known for being “strict” on people and having high expectations, but also nurturing at the same time. Your best can be different than others, but it’s still your best.

I feel what sets me apart from others is that I never forget where I came from. I’m very humble in aspects of my work and life. I’m always very detail-oriented in any part of my of the business because I know the importance of continually growing and elevating keys in our success.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
What would most likely be surprising to most is that I’m great at ballroom dancing. I’m a big time gardener and flower enthusiast – you’ll always notice new flowers and greenery all over our salons. I also have a hidden passion for real estate!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.oxanasalon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oxanasalon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oxanasalonnashville/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oxana-salon-nashville-nashville-3?osq=oxana+salon

Image Credits
Oxana’s headshot was taken by Mary Craven Photography.