For nearly two decades, Hayat Mohamed has been doing far more than styling hair.

Inside her bright salon, clients come for haircuts, color, extensions, and textured hair expertise, but what they often leave with is something bigger: confidence, care, and a sense of being seen.

“It’s not only about doing their hair,” Hayat says. “I want people to feel relaxed when they come here. Most of my clients are mothers. I want them to be able to let go for a moment, enjoy their time, and leave feeling good.”

That intentional environment is exactly what pushed Hayat to start her salon business nearly 20 years ago.

“Most of my clients are mothers. I want them to be able to let go for a moment, enjoy their time, and leave feeling good.”

After working in other people’s salons, she knew she wanted something different. She loved doing hair, but she wanted to create a space that reflected her own values and approach.

“The environment I was in wasn’t what I wanted,” she explains. “When you work for somebody else, you don’t have a say. I wanted to create the kind of space I would want for myself and my clients.”

That vision became the foundation for what is now a thriving salon business with a fiercely loyal client base, some of whom have been coming to Hayat since the year she opened.

Starting from Scratch

When Hayat and her husband Maaruf, who graduated with a degree in Business Management but had not yet owned a business, first began looking for a commercial space, they had the passion and the business idea, but like many first-time entrepreneurs, they didn’t yet have the ecosystem of support needed to bring it all to life.

That’s when they connected with Redesign.

At the time, they didn’t know much about Redesign. They were simply searching for a place to launch their business.

Instead, they found a long-term partner.

Redesign connected them to entrepreneurial training, helped refine their business plan, introduced them to financing partners, and supported them in securing their first location in the Seward neighborhood.

“They helped us with everything,” Maaruf recalls. “Refreshing our business plan, loans, lease negotiation, legal support, contractors, furniture, everything.”

Hayat agrees.

“Redesign didn’t just help us start the business. They helped us build the business.”

Over the years, that support continued. Whether they needed technical assistance, financing, façade improvements, legal referrals, or business guidance, Redesign remained a steady resource.

“If Redesign could do it, they would help us,” Hayat says. “If not, they would connect us to someone who could.”

“Redesign didn’t just help us start the business. They helped us build the business.”

Weathering the Hard Parts

Like many small businesses, Hayat’s salon has endured its share of challenges.

Over the years, the family navigated the 2008 financial crisis, personal health challenges, raising children, and the uncertainty of COVID-19, all while running a business.

“Life is not perfect,” Hayat says. “Things happen. You just have to push through.”

What kept her going was simple: she genuinely loves what she does.

“Hair is my passion,” she says. “I’ve been doing hair since I was young, doing my own hair, my siblings’ hair, neighbors’ hair. I didn’t choose this just to make money.”

That passion is evident in the way she talks about her clients.

She works with an incredibly diverse customer base: neighborhood residents, children, professionals, people with textured hair needs, and even clients who drive in from Wisconsin because they can’t find similar services closer to home.

“I love the people,” she says. “Every day is different. Different hair, different stories, different lives.”

Her salon is known for more than quality service. Hayat emphasizes punctuality, consistency, and education, teaching clients how to care for their hair between appointments instead of simply sending them home with products.

“Don’t cut corners,” she says. “If you say you’re going to do something, do it well.”

That philosophy has helped her retain clients for nearly two decades.

A New Chapter at The Historic Coliseum Building

After 17 and a half years in Seward, Hayat and Maaruf were ready for a change.

Once again, they turned to Redesign.

When Hayat mentioned they were considering a move, Redesign connected them to available space at The Historic Coliseum Building in Downtown Longfellow.

At first, Hayat was hesitant.

Moving a business is always a risk, especially one built on relationships and repeat clients.

“I was scared,” she says. “You don’t know if people will follow you.”

She also had concerns about Lake Street, informed largely by memories of the destruction following the 2020 civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police.

But those concerns quickly disappeared once she toured the space.

“The moment I came into the building, I loved it,” she says. “It was beautiful, refreshing. Even before everything was done, I was ready to sign the lease.”

Today, Hayat says she still feels excited every morning when she arrives.

“I love coming here,” she says. “Not only do I love my job, but I love the environment.”

“She’s happiest here,” Maaruf laughs. “Especially since moving here, she doesn’t come home. She’ll find something to clean in here just to enjoy the space.”

The move has also expanded her reach.

While Hayat still serves many longtime East African clients, the Coliseum location has introduced her to an even broader customer base, including new neighborhood residents, new walk-in clients, and even other tenants in the building.

“It gave me more exposure,” she says. “Before, I think I was a little hidden.”

After nearly 19 years in business, Hayat isn’t slowing down.

She’s already thinking about what comes next, including developing her own hair product line tailored to a wider range of hair needs.

“One day I want to create my own products,” she says.

For now, she’s focused on continuing to grow her business, serve her clients, and enjoy this new chapter in a space that feels aligned with her vision.

Her advice for other entrepreneurs?

Connect with Hayat