marinna mcmunn
Marinna started working in a salon in tenth grade, and although it wasn’t a modern salon, she gained valuable experience. She worked there until starting at AMH toward the end of her training at Empire Beauty School in North Hills. Because Marinna is from Mt. Lebanon, the move to AMH was a natural. She knew she wanted to work in an upscale salon and was happy to find one so close to home.
Although beauty school is necessary to get the hours needed to be licensed, Marinna believes that the real education happens in the salon. She worked as Larry’s assistant for two years, where she learned more advanced techniques, and got to know many of the salon’s clients.
Moving onto the floor after completing her training with Larry was a bit intimidating. Even though she knew she was well trained, it took time to build confidence to be the one behind the chair. She remembers the first time a client asked for a particularly difficult cut. Although she had watched Larry’s technique, it’s a lot different when you are the one doing the cut!
She says it takes more than just one visit to get to know a client, both understanding their wants and needs, but also in getting to know their hair and how best to provide an exceptional salon experience. Today, most of her clients are referrals from other clients.
The stylists at AMH know that “You get what you put out there.” Satisfied clients are the best advertisement.
Marinna sees value in the relationship between stylist and client. There is a benefit in respecting each other and being able to talk openly about a particular style or process. Sometimes, it’s as simple has holding off on a drastic style change for one appointment so that the client has ample time to consider the change. (She tries not to let her clients “take it out on their hair” looking for an instant fix that they might regret!) Other times, it can be as complicated as understanding a health issue that may be affecting the client’s hair.
Her goal is to be that stylist who brings clients back to the salon. She has been at Alberta Modern Hair for sixteen years and today, with years of experience and ongoing training, Marinna is an accomplished stylist. She has many clients who have been with her for years and takes pride in the fact that she regularly meets their needs.
Marinna is now married and has two children at home. Life is very different than it was in the first eight years, when the salon was her life. After getting married and having children, finding that work/life balance was difficult to find at first. She gives 100% when she is at the salon and is happy to have a profession that doesn’t require that you carry your work home, because “I have two little ones at home who need me to be 100% when I am with them.” She says Larry has been a great mentor and is a fair and understanding boss — he wants what is best for his salon and everyone in it.
Today, the salon is like a second home, and her coworkers are like family. “Jen was a positive influence as she mentored me, and then I got to provide that same influence for Taylor.”
Marinna says she’d never want to let Larry or her co-workers down. “We are a team and support for each other is important. We help each other and care about each other, and I have good clients who trust me. We work in a great environment, and that makes every day a good one.”
