One bold move took Harbert alumna Martha Lynn Kale (marketing ’02) from corporate
life to transforming the Austin, Texas, salon scene and writing the playbook for the
next generation of stylists.
Kale, owner of Mirror Mirror Salon and author of “The Ambitious Stylist: Making the
Most of Cosmetology School,” had always loved making women feel beautiful. In her
sorority, she was the go-to sister for a hair crisis before a major social or a “soft
glam” look for a date party. Yet, she never thought her part-time beauty services
could translate to anything beyond that.
“I took a huge risk, stepping away from my career to start over completely,” said
Kale, who worked for ad agency GSD&M and Texas Monthly Magazine after graduating from
Auburn.
The starting over included enrolling in cosmetology school at age 27 as a way to achieve
the artistic freedom she had never had in her previous corporate positions. After
three years behind the chair, logging 1,600 technical hours, she brought her vision
to life. Because she wasn’t finding the atmosphere she longed for in other salons,
she built her own.
Within the span of two years had transformed the business into the 19-chair powerhouse
that it is today.
Degrees & Programs
Faculty & Staff
Career Development
Recruiters & Industry
