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After the pandemic, I started noticing a theme in our industry:Stylists were burned out. Overwhelmed. Saying they couldn’t do this anymore. I felt it too. The thing is—I love  doing hair. I love my clients. So walking away wasn’t the answer… evolving was. Recently, we were  featured in The Boston Globe on Tuesday, April 14th, talking about “trauma dumping” in the salon. And honestly? It’s a real conversation our industry needs to have. Because here’s the truth:Hairdressers are often treated like therapists. We hold space. We listen. We physically touch people. That’s sacred. But somewhere along the way, that sacred connection started turning into emotional overload. What Changed For Me Getting Reiki certified changed everything. It taught me how to create an energetic exchange  instead of absorbing everything around me.Call it “woo woo” if you want—but it’s real. It’s even used in hospitals. And honestly? Anyone who touches people for a living should learn how to protect their energy. Especially hairdressers. The goal isn’t to shut clients down—it’s to support them without depleting ourselves . What We Do Differently at Sunny Bunny We didn’t just talk about change—we built it into our business model: No double booking. Just… no. Gratuity-free, all-inclusive pricing. No awkward checkout. No surprises. Ever. Reiki integrated into appointments with myself. A grounding, calming moment built into your service. Oracle or affirmation cards before appointments with our team members. Setting the tone from the start. Quiet appointments + noise-cancelling headphones. This gives permission to not talk. No pressure. Tibetan sound therapy at the shampoo bowl + hot towels with essential oils. Because your nervous system deserves it. But Let’s Be Real… At the end of the day—it’s still a hair salon. There’s talking. There’s laughing. There are blow dryers going full blast. It’s not a silent retreat. I literally tell my clients:“I can’t talk during your blow dry—I can’t hear you and I refuse to lip read while giving you a bomb blowout.” Boundaries don’t ruin the experience—they make it better. The Bigger Picture Saying “no trauma dumping” isn’t the solution.It can actually make things feel awkward, rigid, and disconnected. What does  work is creating an environment where: Clients feel supported Stylists feel protected The energy in the room feels balanced That’s how we walk the walk while still talking the talk. Because this industry doesn’t need less connection—It just needs healthier connection . Check out our Boston Globe article here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/14/lifestyle/trauma-dumping-hairstylists-emotional-toll/

At Sunny Bunny, we give our stylists a lot  of freedom. And I mean that. But with that freedom… comes responsibility. And that’s the part that not everyone talks about. It means this isn’t a silver platter situation. We’re not handing you a fully built career—you’re building it with us . We market the salon.You market yourself. Why? Because the alternative creates resentment, entitlement, and a lack of ownership—and we’re not doing that anymore. In our model, you choose the services you want to offer. You don’t have to do anything that doesn’t align with you. Because at the end of the day—you’re an artist. You get to: Attract the clients you actually want Stop taking “crumbs” just to fill your book Build a clientele that feels aligned, not forced You set your hourly rate. Not based on a salon rule… but based on what supports your life and your body. This is about: Sustainable income Longevity in your career Not burning out just to make ends meet You make your schedule. You take time off when you need it. Sick day?Mental health day? You don’t ask permission—you communicate with your clients and take care of yourself. We don’t have assistants. We don’t have hierarchy. We have a collaborative environment where: Everyone contributes Everyone respects the space Everyone takes ownership Because this isn’t about rank—it’s about respect. You won’t find: A boss asking about your numbers Micromanagement Needing approval for every decision We trust you to run your business within our business. The stylist who: Feels stuck or burnt out Cries on the way to work but is scared to leave Wants more freedom but also wants stability And also? The stylist who may not have a full clientele yet—but has the willingness to build and growl Because if you’ve got that… As they say in The Waterboy : “You can do it.” Freedom sounds amazing—and it is. But it requires ownership, initiative, and accountability. If that excites you? You’re probably exactly who we’re looking for.

One of my favorite scenes in Uncle Buck  is when he turns around and asks the kids in the back seat: “Is it the hat?” That’s exactly how I feel when people react to our business model at Sunny Bunny. Like… what is it that’s actually bothering you? A lot of traditional commission salons have a reaction  to what we do. Why? Because it’s disruptive. Because it’s different. Because it challenges everything they’ve been taught is “the right way.” And if we’re being honest…change makes people uncomfortable. I didn’t always do things this way. Years ago, I ran my salon the way most salons still operate today: Strict dress code Double booking If you had downtime? You were cleaning Arrive early Ask permission for time off Constant oversight It was micromanaging central. And you know what I got from that? An ulcer, no staff and complete burnout. So I went solo for almost a decade. Then life forced me to change. When I hit my 40s, my body had other plans. I developed tennis elbow and couldn’t physically keep up with the pace I had created. Double booking wasn’t sustainable anymore. The structure I built… was breaking me. So I had to ask:“What if the problem isn’t me… what if it’s the model?” I started listening to Destroy the Hairdresser —and yeah… they pissed people off. I loved it. They were saying things no one in our industry was saying: No retail No front desk No tipping No double booking Hourly pricing Unlimited time off No dress code Stylists control their schedule and pricing Direct client communication Automated systems And the wildest one: Letting stylists transition out with support  when they leave It felt… rebellious. And also? Completely right. I started working with a DTH coach (Kat Scott) and I went all in. Did I lose clients? Yep. Did people question it? Absolutely. But that’s what growth looks like. Today, Sunny Bunny is built on: Freedom with responsibility Full autonomy Systems that support—not control—stylists And the result? I went from a 400 sq ft hole-in-the-wall to a space double the size with a team. And more importantly? I’m less stressed—something that matters even more now with my health. This model isn’t for every hairstylist. But for the ones who want:  Freedom Autonomy Ownership of their career They don’t just like it—they thrive in it. If people are reacting to what you’re building…if they’re confused, uncomfortable, or even a little critical…good. That means you’re doing something different. And different is where everything changes. Do the thing that makes people say:“Really??!!” That’s where growth lives. Meghan

If you’re a hairstylist and you’ve ever heard the term “station sharing,”  you probably had one of two reactions: “Wait… am I fighting for a chair?”  “That sounds chaotic.” But at Sunny Bunny in Newton, MA, station sharing looks very different—and it’s one of the biggest reasons our stylists have more flexibility, less pressure, and more control over their careers. Let’s break it down. Station sharing simply means that stylists don’t “own” one chair all day, every day. Instead, chairs are used intentionally based on scheduling. At first glance, that might sound like a downside—but when it’s done right, it actually creates more  opportunity, not less. Here’s the reality: Even the busiest stylists have gaps. A 2–3 hour opening can happen for anyone—and in a traditional salon, that time just sits there… unused. At Sunny Bunny, we don’t let that happen. If a chair is open, another stylist can use it. That means: The space works smarter The business stays strong And you don’t carry the pressure of being fully booked every second of the day This is the part most stylists don’t expect. Station sharing actually removes  pressure. You don’t need: A perfectly full book To panic over cancellations To hit arbitrary “numbers” just to feel secure Instead, you get breathing room. And in this industry? That’s everything. This isn’t about competition—it’s about flow. If you have a gap, someone else might use that time. If someone else has a gap, you can use theirs. It creates a collaborative environment where: No time is wasted No one is scrambling And the salon runs efficiently without burnout Let’s clear this up: It is NOT: Fighting over chairs Chaos or disorganization A free-for-all At Sunny Bunny, it’s structured, intentional, and designed to support stylists—not stress them out. Our model is ideal for hairstylists who: Already have an established clientele Want more freedom and control over their schedule Are tired of outdated salon structures Don’t want to double book just to make a living We didn’t build Sunny Bunny to follow traditional salon rules. We built it to support real life. Station sharing is just one part of that—but it’s a big one. Because when your environment is flexible, supportive, and intentional…you can actually enjoy your career again.

Every so often, someone implies that because most hairdressers don’t have a traditional four-year college degree, we shouldn’t charge what we charge. Let’s name that. It’s credentialism. It’s classism. It’s the belief that formal education is the only valid measure of intelligence, skill, or worth. Meanwhile, licensed hairdressers complete state-required education, pass board exams, invest in ongoing training, study color chemistry, master precision cutting, and often run full businesses behind the chair. At Sunny Bunny in Newton, MA , we operate on an hourly, gratuity-free pricing model. Our pricing allows stylists to have a sustainable income while having unlimited time off, making their own schedule (that they may adjust anytime) and setting their hourly rate (that they may increase anytime). No one asks a plumber or electrician for their college transcript before approving an invoice. If someone believes a degree determines value, that’s a larger cultural conversation. Hairdressing is an art. And it deserves to be respected as such.

I've always related to Hermey the Elf. He was an elf who wanted to be a dentist.Everyone thought he was ridiculous. Wrong dream. Wrong path. Wrong direction. As a culture, we’re taught there’s a formula:Do A → then B → then C → and eventually you earn D. I’ve never lived that way. Did I do well in school? Yes. Did I hate almost every minute of it? Absolutely. Did my parents try to talk me out of hair school because I could “do more with my life”? Yes. Did people think I was crazy to leave Newbury Street and open my own salon in Watertown? Yes. Did people question my hourly pricing? Yes. Did people insult me when I raised my prices because I don’t have a college degree? Also yes. Did people question nearly every business change I’ve made? Always. And yet, I learned early that if you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will. I’ve lived on my own since I was 21 .I opened the first iteration of Sunny Bunny (then Alainn) at 29 with no savings and no financial help. I put it on two zero-percent interest credit cards because I refused to settle. At 34, I bought my first townhouse. That decision led me to my forever home. No safety net. Just belief and forward motion. When my health shifted, I rebranded. People asked if I was okay. If I had cancer. Why I was “doing this to them.” But here’s what I know now: My gut is undefeated. Every time I’ve made a decision to please others, I’ve paid for it emotionally. Every time I’ve trusted myself, it’s worked — even if it was uncomfortable at first. If I followed the crowd, I never would have gone to hair school. And next week, I’m going to talk about the way some people look at “just hairdressers.” Because there’s nothing “just” about building something from nothing. — Meghan 💛 My BOY!

You’ve probably seen it before:“Color $80.” It looks like a great deal… until you sit in the chair. Because often that number doesn’t include a haircut, gloss, treatment, or blowdry. Add those in, plus tip, and suddenly the total is very different from what you expected. No one did anything wrong — it’s just how the traditional à la carte model works. But it can leave clients feeling surprised and stylists feeling like they have to explain pricing at checkout every time. We wanted something simpler.So we moved to hourly, all-inclusive pricing. You know the time.You know the cost.No surprise add-ons, no hidden math. The only real confusion we run into is helping clients figure out whether they need a two-hour or three-hour appointment. That’s where we step in. We use consultation forms and direct text communication before appointments so we can guide you and avoid guesswork. Yes, it’s different and can feel uncomfortable at first. But transparency builds trust. It lets everyone relax. And once people experience it, they rarely want to go back to the guessing game. We didn’t create this model to be trendy.We created it to be clear. And we’re not going back.

One of the biggest questions we get at Sunny Bunny: “Wait… you don’t take tips?” We don’t. And it’s not because we don’t appreciate them. It’s because we believe the price of the service should already reflect the full value of the work. In many salons, services are priced lower and tips are expected to make up the difference. That can create inconsistent income for stylists and confusion for clients. You never quite know what the final number will be and stylists end up relying on gratuity to feel properly paid. We decided to build everything in. Our hourly rates are set with the understanding of what services plus typical tips would usually total. So nothing is missing — it’s just transparent. It’s not “more expensive.” It’s just honest pricing. Clients don’t have to do mental math at checkout. Stylists don’t have to depend on tips to make their income sustainable. Everyone knows what to expect walking in and walking out. Change can feel uncomfortable, especially in an industry that’s done things the same way for decades. But sustainable pay, clear pricing, and calmer appointments are worth it. We’re not anti-tip. We’re pro-clarity.

The salon industry has a weird ownership problem. Stylists are often expected to stay forever, not work elsewhere, and when they leave, things can get… awkward. Clients get guarded, phones get withheld, and transitions can feel more like breakups than career moves. It’s outdated and honestly not very professional. At Sunny Bunny, our open-door policy is real. Stylists can work here while also working somewhere else. Maybe they’re leaving downtown. Maybe they want to try a new neighborhood. Maybe they love our model but need time to transition. Life isn’t all-or-nothing, and careers don’t have to be either. And if someone decides to leave? They stay while they transition. They keep their clients. When those clients reach out, we give them the stylist’s contact info and wish them well. No weirdness. No punishment. Just respect. It’s the nature of this business that people grow and move. In fact, it would be a little strange if no one ever did. Stylists aren’t property.Clients aren’t property. Professionalism should go both ways. We’re not afraid of people leaving — we’re more interested in creating a place worth staying.

I found photos of myself at 11, 16, 19, and 21  recently. Looking at them now, I honestly thought: what was wrong with everyone? I was so cute. But my body has always been public property. Family. Peers. Strangers. And every time I lost weight, the world was noticeably nicer. We’re told words don’t hurt —but that’s a lie. I started yo-yo dieting at age 13. Diets and body shaming aren’t about health.They’re a quiet way of controlling women—keeping us smaller, distracted, and in submission. Now I’m at the biggest weight I’ve ever been, managing flare-ups, on a lot of meds, and no longer able to “control” what I eat because my esophagus decided to quit. And honestly? I don’t have a choice but to freakin accept it. Because my job right now is to not end up in the hospital every time I try to eat meat. I’m sharing this because I remember everything anyone has ever said about my appearance. If you do too, you’re not alone. I’m grateful to be part of a slow change—one that doesn’t subscribe to this nonsense or confuse thinness with worth. And to everyone who commented on my body over the years: I’ll be sending you my therapy bills. You’re welcome. 😘 11 year old Meghan...giving her a big hug today.

I’m sitting here on a Sunday morning, waiting for a blizzard to roll in, watching protests unfold across our country after another innocent civilian was killed before our eyes by ICE. What does this have to do with hair? Honestly… nothing. And yet — everything. Owning a small business is political, whether we want it to be or not. When I’m upset, I write. It’s how I process, how I make sense of the world, and how I stay grounded in my values. This week, I ended up in the hospital again. Not by coincidence. My body is reacting to the weight of what’s happening around us. Stress doesn’t just live in our heads — our bodies keep the score, and they speak loudly when something isn’t right. I know fear is often what fuels rage. But if watching a little boy be taken from his family doesn’t enrage you — then Sunny Bunny isn’t your salon. I don’t believe in putting our heads in the sand. I don’t want to be part of the mess — I want to be part of the message. ICE is not allowed through the doors of Sunny Bunny.That is one thing I know to be true. So what can  we do? We can donate to causes that matter to us. We can have the uncomfortable conversations with the people we usually “don’t want to go there” with. We can let our beliefs be known and we can refuse to be complacent. I also made a playlist that you’re more than welcome to follow. Music is a universal language — one I truly believe has the power to connect, soften, and unite us when words fall short. This is who we are and this is the space we hold. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5jMbCpAFKh8yzWCxlTcpHa?si=bQe_wBRbRem0q0xgI-5E6g&pi=aB0NvYn0QmarD

As I sit here getting ready for my first day back behind the chair after my most recent flare-up, my head and my heart feel heavy. We’re living in unpredictable times. People are scared. People feel powerless. We’re witnessing horrific events day after day—and it feels like it’s escalating by the minute. I’ve never been someone who could keep my mouth shut about injustice, and I don’t plan to start now. I will never understand what it means to not  love thy neighbor. I’ve helped people in moments where it could’ve cost me my safety—maybe even my life. Not because I wanted to be a hero, but because it’s instinct. I don’t think about it. I just act. And I won’t stop. Today, I had to email my team about keeping our doors locked—for the safety of my employees and our clients while they’re in the salon. Dramatic? God, I wish it were. But I can’t ignore what’s being shown to me. ICE vans have been delivered to Burlington, MA. My responsibility is to protect the people in my care as best I can. And yet—I still have bills to pay and a business to run. Talk about a paradox. Both things can be true at the same time: our country is shifting toward something that feels deeply hateful, and  I still have to get up every day and make people feel beautiful. I’ll continue to do that—while also acknowledging the pain and frustration this administration has caused. This isn’t politics anymore. This is right versus wrong. Good versus bad. Ten years ago, at a Bernie Sanders rally, someone told me, “It’s your turn to fight.” I’ve never forgotten that. I don’t intend to stop now. I’m a 44-year-old, single, cat-loving woman who bought her own home and built a thriving business. I am, quite literally, a middle finger to the patriarchy—and I love every moment of it.