Hi, I’m Lexi — Creator + Innovator of Vici Beauty Co.

Let me tell you a little bit about my backstory… because Vici definitely didn’t happen overnight.

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to do everyone’s hair and make them feel beautiful.

When I was in 3rd grade, my aunt went to cosmetology school, and I swear I LIVED for family gatherings just to see what hairstyle she had done—so I could go home and try to recreate it myself.  I thought she was the absolute coolest.

And we’re talking Kelly Clarkson / Dixie Chicks chunky highlight era… butterfly clips, zig-zag headbands… ALL of it.

Then 5th grade came, and my mom finally let me get highlights.

Let me tell you—that was the HIGH of my entire year.

That feeling? That was it for me.

I knew right then that I wanted to be a hairstylist. I wanted to make other people feel the way I felt in that moment.

Life-changing.

I would look forward to buying a new magazine every month just so I could flip through it and see the latest hair, beauty, and fashion trends for the season. I’ve always had a passion for hair and all things beauty.

But I also learned pretty young that beauty costs money.

So naturally… I figured out how to make my own.

My First Little Hair Business

I got really good at braiding. I would literally tie string onto furniture and practice different braids and knots over and over again.

Eventually, I started braiding hair for cheer competitions—and then I found out people actually PAID to have their hair braided.

Say less.

I spent the next year practicing until I could braid FAST, and before I knew it, I became the go-to girl for cornrowing everyone’s hair for cheer competitions.

I’m talking—I was in junior high doing high school girls’ hair.

That became my back-to-school clothes money every year.

Then I got smarter.

I taught myself intricate updos and started putting myself out there for homecoming and prom hair.

And just like that, I had my fashion budget figured out:

Cheer competition = back-to-school clothes
Homecoming = fall/winter wardrobe
Prom = summer clothes

Priorities, people.

Looking back, I didn’t realize it then, but I was already building a clientele and learning how to turn something I loved into a business.

I Knew Hair Was It

Fast forward to figuring out career options.

I knew hair was all I wanted to do.

My parents? They weren’t quite as sure. They didn’t want me to become a “struggling artist,” so they pushed me toward college.

I told them I would give it a year.

And I did.

I finished my freshman year at BGSU, came home that summer, and by July I was enrolled in cosmetology school.

I just knew. This was what I was supposed to do.

Cosmetology school was… interesting.

You meet all types of people who “try” cos school, but only a few are really serious about turning it into a career.

I’ve always been the type of person who puts my head down, keeps my eye on the prize, and gets to work.

So that’s exactly what I did.

Toward the end of school, I landed an amazing internship at an elite salon in my area. I was SO excited—and eventually, they asked me to join their team.

One of the best decisions of my life.

I truly wouldn’t be the stylist or business owner I am today without the discipline, education, and experience I gained there.

So again, I put my head down.

I grinded. I worked my way through the level system. I did what I was told. I learned everything I could.

And then…

I Became a Mom.

Talk about constantly feeling torn between wanting a career you love and wanting to be a good mom.

I wanted both.

I wanted to have it all.

And it was HARD.

As my kids started getting closer to school age, I knew I needed more flexibility.

There was a salon I had always adored called Bloom Studio, so I interviewed there. The owner actually turned me away because the timing just wasn’t right with her maternity leave.

Dead end.

Or so I thought.

Not long after that, an old coworker told me about a new salon opening. I met with the owner, she was so kind and helpful, and I became one of her first renters.

That’s when I got the idea…

Maybe becoming an independent stylist was the answer.

The “Freedom” of Being Independent

In my head, going independent meant I could work when I wanted and finally have that magical work/home-life balance everyone talks about.

Boy, was I wrong.

Did I have flexibility?

Yes.

Freedom? No! 

I was also lonely and uninspired. I worked alone a lot, and I missed having a TEAM.

And the work? It followed me everywhere.

I was in charge of marketing, ordering supplies, booking clients, moving appointments, attracting new clients, creating Instagram content, tracking receipts, paying rent—the list went on and on.

And that rent was still due whether I worked or not.

If you’re a mom of young kids, you already know—they are basically sick for the first four years of their lives.

So if they were sick? I wasn't working.

If I was sick? I wasn't working.

But those bills? Still there.

My “days off” weren't really days off.

I was bringing my kids with me to pick up supplies, constantly on my phone answering clients, creating posts, scheduling, rescheduling, and trying to keep everything running.

This was not the freedom I pictured.

And I want to say this clearly: I mean absolutely no disrespect toward independent stylists or any business model. 

I just realized it wasn't what I wanted.

I missed having support.

I missed being inspired by the people around me.

I missed education.

Most of all, I missed being part of a team.

Then Good Ole COVID Happened.

And completely flipped our industry upside down.

Being independent meant that when our industry was mandated to shut down, I couldn't work…

but I still had rent to pay. Because remember- you are your own business. Just because you aren't working doesn't mean the bills stop coming. 

Those are the things you don't always think about when you're dreaming of “being your own boss.”

During COVID, there was also a huge shift in the cosmetology industry. Everyone wanted to be their own boss.

And let me tell you…

It created a MESS.

But that is a story for another day.

Because here's the thing:

Not everyone wants—or needs—to work for themselves.

Some people WANT a team.

They want support. Education. Structure. Inspiration. Community.

And I knew I couldn't be the only one.

Which brings me to…

How Vici Came About

When salons finally reopened, the rush was INSANE.

People were basically throwing money at me to please, for the love of God, fix their hair.

I worked nonstop for two months.

I made more money than I ever had in that short amount of time—and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

I knew that if I continued doing what I was doing, the way I was doing it, I wasn't going to be happy.

And this is where things became a total God thing.

Not that He hadn't been working the whole time.

Randomly, an old coworker called me. She knew I had talked about maybe, someday opening my own salon.

She asked if I had anything in the works because her friend worked at Bloom and was going to need somewhere to go.

Why?

Bloom Studio was closing.

Remember that salon I had interviewed at?

The one I had always loved?

The one where the timing hadn't worked out?

I knew immediately.

That was supposed to be my salon.

I loved the location. I loved the setup. And I knew that space was going to get snagged FAST.

So I jumped.

And That’s How Vici Beauty Co. Was Born.

I wanted to create the kind of salon I had been searching for.

A place where people could grow in a friendly, warm, professional environment. I wanted to be the best!

A place where stylists AND clients could feel at home.

I wanted the support of a team.

I wanted a front desk.

I wanted continued education.

I wanted to work alongside like-minded people who wanted to grow, learn, and be inspired by each other.

And I knew I couldn't be the only stylist craving that.

We opened our doors in November 2021—with full chairs.

I get asked all the time:

“What does Vici mean?”

Vici means “I conquered.”

And honestly, I can't think of a name that could fit this story—or this salon—better.

We created a full-service salon where, together, we can conquer all your beauty needs.

And if you look at the before-and-after photos of our salon space… you'll understand just how much of a transformation it really was.

Now, before you say:

“Wait… if you were overwhelmed being independent, WHY would you open an entire salon?!”

Great question.

Because apparently I just like making my life more complicated.

But seriously…

I love this industry.

I wanted to create a space where people felt supported, inspired, challenged, and excited to come to work.

I had a vision for the vibe, the culture, the decor, the experience—all of it.

And I went for it.

Has it always been easy?

Absolutely not.

But I truly couldn't imagine working anywhere else.

And trust me… this is only the beginning of the story.

I have SO much more to share—the lessons, the mistakes, the growth, the behind-the-scenes, and everything that has happened since we opened those doors.

So check back soon as I share more about the evolution of Vici Beauty Co.

Because vici babes… we are just getting started!