Salon Stories: Michelle Mallon – Burnout, Business & Bouncing Back

In this heartfelt episode of Salon Stories, I sit down with the wonderful Michelle Mallon of Michelle Mallon Hair & Beauty. The love and energy she pours into her space and her work is truly inspiring, and today she opens up about her life, career, and personal journey. We go right back to the beginning - growing up, her time spent living in New York, and the serendipitous way she found her path into hairdressing. Michelle shares the early days of training in Belfast during the height of the Troubles, to the chaotic but exciting buzz of working in huge city salons, and eventually returning home to open her own salon at just 21. But this episode goes deeper. Michelle bravely talks about her struggles with mental health, the pressure of success at a young age, and the challenges of juggling a growing business with motherhood. She reflects on burnout, boundaries, and learning the hard way that you can’t pour from an empty cup. We also talk about the importance of creating safe, welcoming salon spaces, and why personality and kindness matter more than perfect qualifications when building a team. This chat is raw, real, and full of wisdom. Whether you’re in the hair industry or just love an honest story of resilience, growth, and passion, this one is for you. www.MelissaHaywardAcademy.com www.instagram.com/melissa_hayward_academy www.instagram.com/michellemallonhairandbeauty/