Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Enstad.
Hi Emma, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Emma Enstad, and I am the owner of Roots Hair Salon in Waite Park, Minnesota. My journey in the beauty industry began four years ago when I decided to pursue a career doing what I love most—helping people feel confident, beautiful, and empowered.
From the beginning, I knew hairstyling was about so much more than hair. It’s about creating connections, building trust, and giving clients a space where they can feel comfortable being themselves. As I grew behind the chair and built my clientele, I started dreaming of opening a salon that reflected those values.
In 2025, that dream became a reality when I opened Roots Hair Salon. Creating the salon from the ground up was both exciting and challenging, but every step was worth it. My goal was to build a welcoming, modern space where both clients and stylists could thrive, and where everyone who walked through the doors felt at home.
Today, Roots Hair Salon specializes in customized color services, blonding, haircuts, bridal styling, and healthy hair care. Whether someone is looking for a dramatic transformation or simply maintaining their look, I love helping clients achieve hair that makes them feel confident and beautiful.
As a salon owner, hairstylist, mom, and soon-to-be bride, I understand how important it is to take time for yourself. Being able to serve my community, celebrate life’s special moments with my clients, and watch my business continue to grow has been incredibly rewarding.
I am so grateful for the support of my clients, family, friends, and community over the past four years. Roots Hair Salon is truly a dream come true, and I’m excited to continue growing, learning, and helping people feel their best for many years to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There have been plenty of bumps in the road along the way. One of the biggest challenges as a salon owner has been finding the right people to rent chairs and grow alongside me. Building a team takes time, patience, and trust, but I truly couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible women who are part of Roots Hair Salon today. We support one another, encourage each other, and push each other to be better every single day, both professionally and personally.
The financial side of opening a salon has also been a huge challenge. Renovating a completely empty space and turning it into a beautiful, welcoming salon wasn’t easy or inexpensive. There were moments of uncertainty, long days, and a lot of hard work behind the scenes. But seeing the vision come to life and watching clients walk into a space that feels warm, inviting, and inspiring makes every challenge worth it. Those obstacles have taught me resilience, strengthened my passion for this industry, and made me even more proud of what Roots Hair Salon has become.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner of Roots Hair Salon and a licensed hairstylist with four years of experience behind the chair. I specialize in customized color services, blonding, lived-in color, haircuts, and bridal hairstyling. My goal with every client is to create a look that not only fits their lifestyle but also helps them feel confident and beautiful.
What I am most proud of is building Roots Hair Salon from the ground up. Taking an empty space and transforming it into a thriving salon has been one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my career. Beyond the physical space, I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and the supportive team culture we’ve created within the salon.
I believe what sets me apart is the experience I provide. I strive to make every guest feel comfortable, listened to, and genuinely cared for from the moment they walk through the door. Hair appointments are about more than just hair—they’re about connection, confidence, and creating a space where people can relax and be themselves.
I’m also incredibly passionate about bridal hair. Being trusted to help brides and their bridal parties look and feel their best on one of the most important days of their lives is something I never take for granted. Weddings have become one of my favorite parts of this industry because I get to be part of such meaningful moments and lasting memories.
At the end of the day, my greatest accomplishment isn’t just the salon I’ve built—it’s helping people leave my chair feeling more confident than when they arrived.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always ambitious and driven. When I set my mind to something, I worked hard to make it happen, and that determination has carried into my adult life and career. I have always been someone who dreams big and isn’t afraid to put in the work to achieve those goals.
I’ve also always been nurturing and caring. I genuinely enjoy helping people, whether that’s family, friends, or now my clients. Making others feel comfortable, supported, and confident has always been important to me.
I would describe myself as creative, passionate, and relationship-oriented. I love building connections with people and creating meaningful experiences. Whether it’s through hairstyling, celebrating life’s special moments, or supporting those around me, I’ve always valued making people feel seen and appreciated.
I’m also resilient. Life hasn’t always gone exactly as planned, but I’ve learned to adapt, push through challenges, and keep moving forward. Those experiences have shaped me into the person I am today—a hardworking business owner, mom, and hairstylist who is constantly striving to grow while helping others feel their best.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rootshairsalon.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roots.hair.salonmn and https://www.instagram.com/hair.by.em3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1M8aZqVvjH/
