Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianne Martinez.
Hi Marianne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started in the beauty industry because I was drawn to the connection. Hair felt like a way to help people feel seen, confident, and taken care of and early on, I realized the experience in the chair mattered just as much as the final result.
Like most stylists, I learned by doing. I worked hard, said yes often, and built my career through hands-on experience, continued education, and plenty of trial and error. Education eventually became a turning point for me. It deepened my understanding of the craft and gave me a stronger voice around why we do what we do not just how. That curiosity and clarity shaped my values around integrity, sustainability, and intentional growth.
Opening Onda came from a desire to slow things down and do things differently. I wanted to create a space that felt calm, thoughtful, and human where clients could exhale and the work could speak for itself. Building Onda hasn’t been linear. It’s meant learning to trust my instincts, set boundaries, and redefine success in ways that felt aligned instead of expected.
Today, Onda is intentionally small. I work closely with my assistant, Angie, while balancing time behind the chair and educating with Maria Nila. What excites me most about what’s next is growing with purpose deepening education, mentoring emerging stylists, and continuing to shape Onda as a space rooted in care, creativity, and longevity. I’m less interested in scaling fast and more committed to building something that lasts.
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?
One of the biggest challenges has been learning to navigate the very human side of building something questioning my choices, second-guessing , and sitting with uncertainty instead of rushing past it. There have been moments where I wondered if I was doing enough, growing fast enough, or choosing the “right” version of success.
Balancing work with personal life has been an ongoing lesson. When your work is also your passion, the lines blur easily. I’ve had to learn that showing up fully for my business doesn’t mean sacrificing myself in the process. Creating boundaries, protecting my energy, and allowing space outside of work has been just as important as any professional decision I’ve made.
Those challenges reshaped how I define growth. I’ve learned that sustainability isn’t just about business it’s about being well enough to stay curious, present, and creative long term. Choosing alignment over constant momentum has been uncomfortable at times, but it’s also been clarifying.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Onda means vibe or mood in Spanish, and that’s exactly what the salon is built around. From the energy of the space to the pace of appointments, everything is designed to feel calm, welcoming, and intentional. I curated every detail myself from estate sale finds to vintage pieces so the space has warmth, personality, and a thoughtful, lived-in feel.
Onda is a sustainability minded and inclusive salon specializing in customized hair services that fit each client’s lifestyle, budget, and maintenance needs. I focus on creating results that are beautiful, realistic, and easy to live with, using high-performing professional products and innovative systems behind the scenes to ensure every service meets the highest standards.
What sets Onda apart is the intentionality in everything we do. From the atmosphere to the products to the way appointments are structured, every decision is made with care, aligning with values like sustainability, inclusivity, and authenticity.
What I’m most proud of is how the salon itself reflects that journey it’s more than a place to get hair done. It’s a space built around thoughtfulness, creativity, and care, where both clients and myself can slow down, enjoy the process, and feel truly seen.
I want readers to know that Onda isn’t just about hair it’s about the experience. The vibe comes first, and everything else innovation, excellence, and a sense of ease flows from there
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by alignment doing work that feels intentional and authentic, while creating an environment where both clients and myself can thrive. It’s about making choices that honor my values, like sustainability, inclusivity, and thoughtful service, rather than chasing external measures or speed.
Success is also about longevity building something that continues to grow, evolve, and feel meaningful over time. For me, it’s not just about the results I create for clients, but about the experience, the care, and the vibe of the space. When I can slow down, stay curious, and feel proud of the choices I make along the way, that’s success
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinonda.salon
- Instagram: @anewhaira @onda.salon
