I believe in the power of leadership, culture, and doing things differently. Now, I want to share that with you.
Hi, I’m Aja. I’m a sylist and the founder of MAE Salon in Denver, Colorado. Over the years, I built a career not just as a stylist, but as a mentor, coach, and community-builder. I even took my craft abroad - teaching and doing hair in South Korea while teaching English - before returning to Denver to pass on what I’d learned and eventually open my own space.
The early years were filled with uncertainty: financial risk, fear of failure, and the personal growth that comes from choosing to do things differently in an industry that loves sameness. I was a 24-year-old woman who came from very little. Determination and perseverance pushed me forward. I searched for mentors and was turned down again and again by people gatekeeping what they knew. That experience shaped me. (If you need a mentor, I will always say yes.)
There were seasons where I was doing everything - the hair, the laundry, the marketing, the payroll - trying to lead while still learning how to trust myself. As a queer, late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, I’ve had to unlearn systems that weren’t built for someone like me. Those challenges shaped my leadership style: empathetic, nontraditional, deeply human, and always evolving
My Journey
The most important decision I made in my career wasn’t about branding, pricing, or expansion. It was choosing to lead.
I’ve worked under many bosses, managers, and owners, but very few true leaders. So I invested in learning how to become one. I committed to being a transformative leader who is deeply invested in my team’s growth inside and outside of the salon. Empathy matters, but empathy without clarity isn’t leadership.
I’ve grown my business in intentional stages - from a suite, to a three-chair salon, to our 2,300 sq ft space today. Each expansion required stronger systems, clearer communication, and deeper emotional intelligence. The biggest lesson? High morale isn’t a tactic. It’s the natural result of leading with empathy, clarity, and respect. When people feel seen, heard, and supported, they thrive.
A Focus on Leadership
I started in traditional commission salons, bouncing from space to space trying to understand what didn’t feel aligned. I loved the craft, but the environments often felt transactional. Stylists were measured by numbers. Clients were rushed. Burnout was normal.
In this industry, you either work as a commissioned employee, rent a chair, or rent a suite. In the latter two, you often lose mentorship entirely. I don’t believe one model is inherently right or wrong, but I saw what was missing. Stylists are artists. They need both creative freedom and strong structure to grow.
I watched incredibly talented professionals drown in the extra weight of running everything alone - bookkeeping, marketing, inventory, insurance - without real coaching. I wanted to build the crossover: artistic independence supported by thoughtful leadership and sustainable systems.
A Broken Industry
That desire led me to open MAE Salon + Wellness (originally Chemistry Hair Lab) in 2017. It began as a small space with a big vision: to create a high-integrity, emotionally intelligent environment for clients and stylists alike.
Today, MAE is a luxury wellness hub offering high-end color, extensions, our MAE Original Scalp Experience, IV therapy, tattooing, brows, lashes, sound healing, and more. But what sets us apart isn’t just the services - it’s how we hold space.
MAE is rooted in the belief that being human is sacred. The experience of receiving service should be, too. “No matter how snatched you look, if your mental health isn’t strong and solid, then nothing is.” We built MAE as a third place - a sanctuary beyond vanity - where creativity, nervous system safety, and real connection coexist.
Dedication to My Brand
How We Do the Traditional Salon Business Model Differently
At MAE, people come first. Always.
Most commission-based salons prioritize productivity and quotas. We flipped that. We build every service around connection and nurtured moments. Our stylists aren’t just executing a look - they’re creating experiences that leave clients feeling seen and restored.
On the team side, we prioritize autonomy, leadership development, and growth. We provide tools and mentorship instead of pressure and unrealistic quotas. When stylists feel supported and empowered, loyalty follows - from both the team and the clientele.
The core of MAE is simple: we listen, we care, and we build systems that allow artistry and wellbeing to thrive together.
Rooted & Rising Coaching Program
The hardes part of this journey was figuring it out alone. I opened my business with heart and vision, but no roadmap for leading a team, building culture, or carrying the emotional weight of ownership. I learned through trial, error, honesty, and resilience.
Rooted + Rising was born from that experience.
It’s a coaching-led container for salon owners who are ready to lead with clarity, build sustainable systems, and create businesses that thrive emotionally and financially. This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience. It’s culture repair. It’s leadership development that holds under pressure.
I’m on a mission to disrupt a broken industry - one team at a time. I want to save other business owners that headache and heartbreak that I went through. And I’d be honored to help you build something better.
What Sets Us Apart
People-First Approach
Everything we do is built around understanding your needs and helping you succeed—because when you thrive, so do we.
Long-Term Relationships
We’re not just here for the now. We love creating lasting relationships with our clients and growing with them over time.
Proven Process, Flexible Execution
We bring structure where it counts and adaptability where it matters. Our methods are clear, but always responsive.