We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mariah Kann. Check out our conversation below.
Mariah, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up at 7:30am to the sound of my daughter’s stuffed Giraffe saying, “ABC! Will you sing with me?! ABCDEFG….”
I am not a morning person, so I roll out of bed with my bangs sticking straight up and give my husband a groggy good morning kiss. He hands me a pourover coffee made using our close friends’ freshly roasted coffee bean blend. “Mees! Mees!” my daughter Vivienne says, which means smell. I let her take a big whiff of coffee, and give her a “good morning, baby” (slightly more chipper now that I’ve ‘meesed’ my coffee).
Then I give my bangs a quick rinse, heat protector, and blow dry and get Vivi and my dog, Boba, ready for a walk. We live at the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains so our walk is incredibly peaceful. We enjoy the sights and sounds of birds, lawnmowers, and the occasional coyote. Then we head back, eat breakfast and our incredible nanny, Raivan, joins us so I can head to work!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Mariah Kann, a Board Certified Haircolorist specializing in blonding and natural-looking, lived-in color. I have my own studio in Hollywood where I create beautiful hair that feels effortless and authentic to each client.
After studying Sociology with the intention of going into social work, I found that being a hairstylist allowed me to bring together my love of helping others, while expressing my own creativity and natural talent. What makes my approach unique is that I’m obsessed with following the rules of natural hair color – even when creating vivid or dramatic looks. I spend as much time as needed in consultations, looking at inspiration photos and asking questions until I’m 100% certain we’re on the same page. I never want someone to leave my chair feeling anything less than thrilled.
My studio experience is designed to be warm and relaxing – you’ll be offered champagne, wine, or a nespresso, and you’re welcome to work (wifi included) or just unwind while I take care of you. I’m patient and thorough because I have such a deep respect for hair and what it means to people.
I will tell you if I don’t think your hair can handle your dream color and will offer custom options that will leave your hair strong and healthy while complimenting your style and lifestyle.
I have focused years of my career on intensive education in the haircolor world, and am excited to expand my expertise by shifting my focus to haircutting this year! From textured pixies and traditional men’s cuts, to rock and roll shags, curly cuts, and everything in between. I have been so inspired by this razor cutting class I took a few months ago and am really leaning into it!
2025 is the year of haircuts!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I have learned the most about work and most other aspects of life from my grandma Susan. My answer is a little bit different from what you might expect. Of course, she taught me things like working hard, prioritizing chores, and creating positive working relationships. But more than any of that, she taught me to trust.
The other day when we were chatting, she told me a story I had never heard before. After a series of events, my grandma, grandpa and their 4 small children found themselves living in a tiny studio apartment. They had no dishes or furniture, so they piled all of their clothes into the middle of the room and slept in a circle, using the clothes to rest their heads.
What stood out to me most about this story was not their poverty or even her resilience during what was obviously a very challenging time, but her tone in telling me the story. She highlighted how beautiful and special this apartment was, how the bathtub was brand new and how my mom, being the oldest, was excited to use the small loft with no bed as her bedroom. She said they had enough food in the fridge for the current day but not the next, and that she learned not to worry about it and to trust that it would come – and it always did.
Having been low income her entire life, with never more than a few hundred dollars in savings while raising 5 children, she has more hope and positivity than most. Her ability to trust that the universe would provide is the greatest lesson I have ever received and I wholeheartedly embody this when it comes to my work. While working hard IS important, following my heart, believing in myself and trusting the space around me have brought me the most joy in work. This is what allowed me to take the risk from following a career in social work to starting over as a hairstylist. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self: “You’re going to be okay. Actually, you’re going to be more than okay.”
Growing up navigating the foster care system and having so much uncertainty, I spent a lot of time worried about the future – about money, about stability, about whether I’d ever feel secure. I wish I could go back and tell that girl that all the hard things she’s experiencing are shaping her into someone resilient, compassionate, and capable of creating the life she dreams of.
I’d also tell her to trust her instincts more and worry less about taking the “safe” path. When I left social work to pursue hair, I was terrified. I had debt, no savings, and was starting completely over. But that leap led me to a career I absolutely love and client relationships I deeply cherish. It feels like everything I could have asked for.
Most importantly, I’d remind her that she’s surrounded by So many people who care about her – even when it didn’t feel like it. My mom and the other mother figures that have come into my life, the clients who trusted me when I was just starting out, my professors, my friends & sisters, my grandma who taught me to trust that things would work out, my husband – they were all there, rooting for me. And they still are.
So yeah, I’d tell her: “Take a deep breath. It’s all going to be worth it!”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that energy is everything – and I can’t prove it, but I *know* it’s true.
I truly believe that the energy you put into the world comes back to you. When I’m with a client, I’m not just focused on the technical work – I’m thinking about the experience I’m creating, the trust we’re building, and the care I’m putting into every step. I believe people can feel that, even if they can’t explain it.
This belief comes from my grandma, who taught me to trust that what you need will come when you need it. I’ve seen it play out in my own life over and over again. When I moved to LA with $500 and no plan, the right people showed up at the right time. When I took the risk of starting my own studio, clients followed. When I pour genuine care and attention into my work, it comes back to me.
I protect this value at all costs in my business. I will never rush a client, cut corners, or do work that doesn’t feel right in order to make more money. I’d rather take my time, do it right, and trust that the rest will follow – because it always does. Some people might call it luck or coincidence, but I believe it’s energy. What you give is what you get, and I’m committed to giving my absolute best!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I’m investing in relationships – with my clients, with other professionals in the industry, and with my community. But I’m also investing in myself in ways that won’t show immediately but will matter down the road.
Right now, I’m focused on creating an experience in my studio that goes beyond just great hair. I want every client to feel seen, heard, and cared for. I spend extra time in consultations, I’m patient with my work, and I genuinely get to know the people in my chair. Some of these clients have been with me for years, and these relationships are part of building a life I’m truly proud of.
I’m also doing the less glamorous work that nobody sees: saving money, paying off debt, and learning how to run a sustainable business. After years of financial stress in my early twenties, I’m building the kind of stability that will allow me to breathe easier and feel more secure. I’m taking classes to sharpen my skills and stay current in an industry that’s always evolving. I’m learning about operations, finances, and how to maintain the work standards I’ve set for myself.
Just as importantly, I’m setting boundaries and protecting my energy. I’m spending time and money on therapy to work through things from my past so I can truly know myself and show up as my best self – both in my chair and in my personal life. I’m investing in my friends, my daughter, and my marriage because I know that having a strong, loving community makes my life full. I’m learning how to relax, how to let go of worry, and how to trust the process.
None of this will pay off tomorrow or even next year. But 7 to 10 years from now? I’ll have a solid foundation – financially, emotionally, professionally – that will allow me to feel genuinely happy with my life. I’ll know myself better. I’ll be at peace. And I’ll be able to enjoy what I’ve built from a place of calm and gratitude, not stress and hustle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariahkann.com
- Instagram: haircolorbymariah
Image Credits
Zoe Babian Klein
