Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Corley
Hi Monique, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Monique A. Corley Bio…
I started cosmetology school in the 10th grade in High School 1995 – 1998. I went to Laurel High School in Laurel, MD. Once I got into the 11th grade we had an open floor so we could take clients, every day we had it I was servicing clients so I could perfect my craft. I also started cutting and coloring my teacher’s hair. I went to hair shows in New York every year while in cosmetology school.
In Cosmetology School I was in a program called “V.I.C.A.” ( Vocational Industrial Clubs of America.)
VICA allowed me to travel a little to different vocational schools to compete in competitions. I won several medals and a trophy in the competition’s I competed in.
In 1997 – 1998 I got my first job at a hair salon called Classic Hair Design, I was a shampoo assistant for the whole salon.
In 1998 I was hired at the “Hair Cuttery” to do hair. I took a clipper class at “Hair Cuttery” I only did one then I took off, it was just a little fear holding me back when it came to using clippers. I stayed at Hair Cuttery until early 2000.
In 2000 -2001 I worked at Essential Essence Salon and Day Spa. I wrote a lot of her procedures in order to do things for her business. I was fresh out of school and full of the proper way to do things the state board and professional way.
Later 2001 – February 2012 I started my journey of working for myself at “Head Quarters Unisex” a barbershop/hair salon. I was there a little over 10 years. I trained every assistant I had to be able to assist me effectively.
While working at the Unisex Salon I went to the state board in 2007 or earlier to take my test to be a senior Cosmetologist so I can teach and be certified all the way!
I’ve done makeup for a fashion show for the clothing line Fetish by the rapper “Eve” . I came up with one of the makeup looks for the show. In the early 2000’s.
In 2006 I went to the State Board to get my senior cosmetology license.
I’ve done photo shoots doing hair, makeup and styling (wardrobe).
I’ve done hair and makeup for a local rap artist’s music video
I’ve traveled in the state of MD to do hair for weddings.
In 2007 I came up with the name of my salon and I ran to get it registered in the state of Maryland.
In late 2011 I started looking for a location to open my first hair salon, in January 2012 I found a location in Bowie, MD and was given the keys after I agreed and signed my lease. On February 14,2012 was the day Mac V.S.D.C. Salon was officially born. It was a Tuesday at the beginning of the week for a hair salon. We are still open; I’ve just changed the entity of the business so we can have more to offer up and coming stylists.
I’m working on training my second apprentice.
I’ve taught many cutting and styling classes for the past 10 years at the salon.
Short Bio:
For over 29 years, Monique has been a disruptive leader in the hair industry. You may know her as the owner of Mac V.S.D.C Salon, but Monique has achieved other goals throughout her career, such as teaching classes, styling professionals, and training apprentices. Monique has been recognized as a veteran in her field due to her experience and the numerous contributions that she has provided throughout the years. She holds a Senior Cosmetology License from the State Board of Maryland and currently resides in Maryland.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building my business has been a journey filled with both successes and struggles. While attracting clients has always been the easy part, the real challenge has been finding skilled stylists who are willing to work together as a team. It’s crucial for them to understand that no matter whether they’re booth renters, salaried, or on commission, they are still working on commission and must manage their own expenses. This includes handling taxes and other benefits that are necessary for a comfortable life, even though someone else may decide how the money is spent.
For most of my business, I’ve worked with 1099 contractors, but in 2025, I decided to change the business entity in order to make it more beneficial for both me and the stylists, with the goal of fostering growth within the business. This shift is designed to help everyone involved, creating a structure that will better support the long-term success of the salon. While the journey hasn’t always been smooth and there have been ups and downs, I’m thankful to have been able to maintain the business and continue to push forward.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in styling all textures of hair, with a deep passion for both haircuts and color. These two areas are where I truly shine, and they’re my favorite aspects of the craft. My clients know me best for my expertise in cutting, coloring, and most importantly, maintaining the health of their hair. I believe in creating styles that not only look great but also keep the hair strong and healthy over time. I’ve built a reputation for providing haircuts and colors that are both stylish and long-lasting.
What I’m most proud of is the fact that I’ve been able to support myself and create a stable life doing something I genuinely love. A pivotal moment for me was purchasing my salon location just three weeks before the pandemic started. While many businesses struggled during that time, I’m incredibly proud that I was able to maintain the salon and keep my clients safe and cared for throughout the uncertainty of those early days.
What sets me apart from others in the industry is not only my professionalism, consistency, and availability but also my expertise and skill. I’m genuinely good at what I do, and that’s something my clients can always count on. I’ve honed my craft over the years to deliver results that exceed expectations, and that’s a big reason why my clients keep coming back. I’m committed to giving my best, whether it’s achieving the perfect cut, color, or ensuring the overall health of my clients’ hair. These qualities, along with my deep passion for the craft and the people I serve, truly set me apart in the industry.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned on my journey is that running a business isn’t as easy as I initially thought. Building the ideal team has proven to be much harder than I expected, and it’s something I’m still working on. The right team dynamic takes time and effort to cultivate, but I’m committed to making it happen.
Another key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of starting early when it comes to saving. I’ve realized that by planning and saving in advance, you won’t have to work as hard when you get older. That’s something I’ve kept in mind as I’ve made changes to my business to help ease the burden on stylists. I’ve worked hard to create a structure where stylists don’t have to worry about managing their own taxes, and I’ve also ventured into the life insurance and financial services industry to help them build a solid financial foundation. My goal is to ensure that they have the tools and support to set themselves up for financial security, so they won’t have to work so hard in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://macvsdcsalon.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
