Starting Over at 38: Mimi's Journey from Hair Salon to Million-Dollar Brand

Mimi Kone, the powerhouse behind Mimi at Mina, takes us on an incredible journey of reinvention and resilience. Starting as a salon owner in Notting Hill, she made it her mission to provide quality services for women of color—a passion sparked by her own experiences. Imagine this: moving to London without speaking English, armed with nothing but determination to make her dream a reality. After a decade of building a thriving business, Mimi hit a crossroads. Feeling stuck, she made the bold decision to pivot toward creating science-based hair care products.

In this deeply personal and inspiring chat, Mimi opens up about the emotional challenges of letting go of her salon, stepping into a new chapter, and even finding love in the most unexpected way. This is more than just a story about hair—it's about ambition, resilience, and how the right community can help you chase your dreams. You don’t want to miss this conversation!

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Mimi Kone, the brilliant mind behind Mimi at Mina, shares her extraordinary journey of transformation and reinvention in this inspiring episode. From struggling to find salons in Europe that catered to her textured hair to building a high-end salon in Notting Hill, Mimi’s story is rooted in passion, perseverance, and a deep desire to empower women of color.

Mimi takes us back to the beginning—moving to London without speaking a word of English, armed only with ambition and a dream. She reflects on the challenges of starting her salon, from struggling to attract clients to learning the ropes of hairdressing without formal training. Through determination and smart marketing (shoutout to her early success with Facebook ads), she built a loyal clientele and created a space where women with textured hair felt truly seen and valued.

But after a decade of running her salon, Mimi felt a pull toward something bigger. She made the courageous decision to pivot, leaving behind the daily grind of salon life to create a science-based hair care brand designed specifically for textured hair. Mimi opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of letting go, embracing change, and taking a leap of faith to pursue her vision. Her new journey isn’t just about products; it’s about self-care, balance, and proving that professional and personal fulfilment can go hand in hand.

This conversation dives deep into resilience, adaptability, and the power of starting over—no matter your age. Mimi’s story of finding love, getting married, and balancing her thriving career with personal joy reminds us that it’s never too late to rewrite your narrative. Her journey is a testament to the strength of following your passion and staying open to life’s possibilities.

Key Takeaways:

- Starting over is always possible, no matter your age or circumstances.

- Customer experience is the heart of any successful business.

- Pivoting your career can unlock new growth and opportunities.

- Balancing personal relationships with professional ambitions enriches both.

- Listening to your customers’ needs is the foundation for any great product.

- Taking breaks and prioritising self-care fuels creativity and long-term success.

Mimi’s story will leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to tackle your own next chapter. Tune in to hear her incredible insights and life lessons!