Meet Acacia Arnold of Sanctuary Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Acacia Arnold.

Hi Acacia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been drawn to the root cause of things.

Growing up with chronic health issues, I saw countless experts—but none had real answers. They treated symptoms, never the source.

Originally, I went to cosmetology school with a plan: become a functional medicine doctor. But once I learned that insurance rarely covers functional medicine and most hospitals don’t hire those doctors, I couldn’t justify the debt of medical school. The path was either opening a private clinic or working under someone else—with clients paying entirely out of pocket.

So I kept doing hair, even as I wrestled with feeling lost—searching for “my thing.”
But life kept sending me signs that this was it.

I just didn’t see it—blinded by ego and pride.

Now, after 14 years as a licensed cosmetologist and the last 6 focused on textured hair, I finally get it.

At Sanctuary Salon, which I co-own with my best friend, we don’t just style hair—we get to the root cause of our clients’ concerns. It’s full-circle healing, inside and out.

I’m deeply grateful for the clients I serve—people who’ve waited a year to see me, and even traveled across states and countries just to sit in my chair.

There’s a quote from The Bear that says it perfectly:
“I think at a certain stage it becomes less about skill and more about being open.”

That’s how I show up now—skillful, yes, but open. To healing. To purpose. To people.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were absolutely times of struggle.

And there will be more struggles as we expand and grow. But having my best friend by my side has made all the difference. We’ve always had each other—and laughed the entire way through.

Something could literally be on fire, and we’d still crack a joke, fix the problem, pick up the rubble… then justify buying a $9 matcha because we “deserved it”—and get right back to work.

I remind myself often:
“Today I might fail, but tomorrow I will win.”

Success isn’t about avoiding failure.
It’s about how many times you’re willing to get back up and keep going.

As you know, we’re big fans of Sanctuary Salon. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Sanctuary Salon, we specialize in natural hair—wavy, curly, and coily textures.

Our focus is on the health of your hair, not on chasing trends or pushing an overwhelming 15-step routine. We believe in simplicity that works.

The products we use are organic, free of hormone disruptors, and intentionally chosen to support long-term scalp and hair health.

We’re passionate about education—teaching our clients how to care for their scalp, support healthy hair growth, and build sustainable routines that actually work.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To always bet on yourself

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sanctuarysalonlosangeles.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acaciiahair?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr