How Lalitha Arnold Built Two Thriving Salons—and What You Can Learn from Her Journey

The July 21, 2025 ANHC PRO Business Mastery Series welcomed powerhouse salon owner and educator, Lalitha Arnold. With two successful Chicago-based salons—Envy Me Hair Studio and Envy Me Too—Lalitha brought more than inspiration; she delivered a blueprint for building a profitable, professional salon business rooted in leadership, love, and systems.

Meet Lalitha Arnold: Leader, Mentor, Visionary

Lalitha isn’t just a stylist—she’s a 3x founder, podcast host, business coach, and now, Co-Chair of ANHC PRO’s Salon Owners Club. Her career reflects her belief in doing things with excellence and purpose. She’s not only grown a salon from a small space to over 3,000 square feet but also built a commission-based business that runs seven days a week—with or without her on-site.

Key Takeaways from the Session

🔑 Hire with Vision—and Don’t Compromise

Lalitha’s first lesson: know what you want and don’t bend. “The worst thing you can do is bend on your standards,” she warned. Every role in her salons—from coordinator to cleaner—is defined by a clear job description and a thorough hiring process that includes a three-step interview. For her, culture fit and clarity beat desperation hiring every time.

🧠 Salon Ownership Requires Mental Prep

Lalitha emphasized that before building a business, owners must get their house in order—literally and figuratively. “Prepare your home life, prepare your mind, prepare your money mindset. You can't just want a salon without understanding what it takes to keep it running—and still have a life.”

🛠 Build a Team that Runs Without You

From coordinators to managers, assistants to junior stylists, Lalitha’s success lies in having the right people in the right roles. She trains them thoroughly and sets expectations from day one. “A stylist can’t also be your receptionist. Let people focus on their lane.”

💡 Don’t Just Do Hair—Sell Time and Experience

“We sell time,” Lalitha said, referencing her under-two-hour silk press promise. But her salons are known for more than speed—they’re known for cleanliness and customer care. Her team is trained to “love on the client,” ensuring every visit is personal, professional, and polished.

📊 Know Your Numbers—and Save

Even before she left the chair, Lalitha made sure her business could run without her. She paid herself as an employee and banked her earnings. Now, that savings helps cover slow seasons and stylist support. “Every quarter, I review my business accounts and cut what isn’t essential. Subscriptions, supplies, staffing—everything is audited.”

🧼 Systems Make the Difference

From having a go-to handyman and weekly cleaning to automated follow-ups and DISC assessments during hiring, Lalitha’s salons run on systems. She even has someone follow up if a client isn’t rebooked at checkout—because the goal is retention, not just service.

🎓 Training Is Ongoing—and Strategic

Training at Envy Me isn’t optional. It’s part of the culture. Lalitha uses client feedback, senior stylists, and one-on-one check-ins to coach her team. And if someone’s work isn’t up to par? It’s a teaching moment—not a punishment. “We don’t let clients leave looking less than. And we don’t shame stylists—we train them.”

Her Final Word: Hire Slow, Fire Fast, and Never Stop Learning

Lalitha reminded attendees that salon ownership isn’t about being the busiest—it’s about being the smartest. Whether you’re running a two-chair suite or a 20-person commission salon, the key is clarity. “You’ve got to know what you want, build for that, and protect it at all costs.”

Want more sessions like this?

📚 The complete recording is available for ANHC PRO members and partners in our video library:

https://www.anhcpro.org/pro-library#2024-webinar-videos

📲 Follow Lalitha on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sheislalitha

📞 Or book a free 15-minute call with her through her bio link: https://linktr.ee/sheislalitha

Ready to take your salon to the next level?

Join our community of driven professionals at www.anhcpro.org/memberships