Today we’d like to introduce you to Trinity Howard.
Hi Trinity, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always known I wanted to do something where I could help people. For a long time, I actually thought I was going to go into being mental health therapist, but I realized pretty quickly that I’d probably be crying every day right along with my clients. At the same time, being a hairstylist had always been in the back of my mind, and eventually it clicked that it was kind of the best of both worlds. I still get to connect with people, support them, and help them feel more confident—just in a different way, and with a creative outlet.
I started doing hair about four years ago, and right out of school I went straight into a suite at Renew Salon. I’ve known my mentor, Heidi, my whole life, so having that support while still working independently felt like the right fit for me.
That being said, starting in a suite came with its own challenges. There are (basically) no walk-ins, so everything depends on you building your own clientele from the ground up. I had a lot of slow weeks—sometimes working a full day and only seeing one or two clients, and occasionally none at all. It was hard not to compare myself to friends working in traditional salons who seemed busier and more established. I’ve always had really high expectations for myself, so that season came with a lot of self-doubt and discouragement.
Over time, things started to shift as I became more consistent with putting myself out there—asking for referrals, encouraging clients to leave Google reviews, and running promotions. Little by little, my schedule started to fill, and I began to see real growth in my clientele.
Now, behind the chair, my focus is on creating customized looks that actually fit into my clients’ lives. It’s not just about how something looks the day they leave the salon—it’s about making sure it feels manageable, realistic, and confidence-boosting long after their appointment.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting out in a suite setting meant I didn’t have the safety net of walk-in clients, so I was truly building everything from the ground up. There were a lot of slow days and even slower weeks—times where I would be at the salon all day and maybe only see one client, or sometimes none at all.
That was probably the hardest part, especially mentally. It’s easy to start questioning yourself when you’re not busy, and I found myself comparing my journey to friends in traditional salons who seemed to be growing faster. I’ve always had really high expectations for myself, so not being where I thought I “should” be was discouraging at times.
Another challenge was learning how to put myself out there. Asking for referrals, talking about promotions, and consistently showing up on social media didn’t come naturally at first, but it was necessary in order to grow.
Looking back, those slower seasons taught me a lot about patience, consistency, and confidence—not just in my work, but in myself. It pushed me to be more intentional about how I connect with clients and how I build my business, and that’s something I still carry with me today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Renew Salon?
I specialize in creating customized, lived-in hair that fits my clients’ lifestyles—not just their Pinterest inspiration. My focus is on blending, vivids, curly hair, and haircuts, but more than anything, it’s about making sure the end result feels effortless and wearable for each individual person.
When someone sits in my chair, my goal is for them to feel comfortable, heard, and truly listened to. A lot of my clients come to me after not feeling fully understood in previous experiences, so I prioritize taking the time to really connect with them and understand what they want. By the end of their appointment, I want them to leave feeling confident, happy, and like the best version of themselves.
My work is known for being very blended with soft grow-outs that don’t feel high-maintenance. I avoid anything that feels over-processed, stripy, or disconnected, because I want the hair to still look beautiful as it grows out—not just the day they leave the salon.
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built with my clients. So many of them return not just for the hair, but because of the trust we’ve created. One of my clients once told me, “you make hair to grow out, not just last a day.” Another told me “you make me feel safe and taken care of every time I come in,” and those really stuck with me—it perfectly reflects how I approach my work.
Overall, my chair is a space that feels soft, calm, and welcoming, but also exciting and “hype” during transformations. I’m very hands-on and honest with my clients, and I also make it a point to educate them so they feel confident maintaining their hair long after they leave.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality I feel has been most important to my success is truly listening to my clients and being intentional with every service I do. A lot of my clients come to me after feeling like they weren’t fully heard in previous experiences, so I’ve learned how important it is to slow down, ask the right questions, and really understand what someone is looking for—not just visually, but in their day-to-day life and how they want to feel.
That level of communication has shaped everything about my work. It’s what allows me to create customized, wearable results that feel personal to each client instead of one-size-fits-all. I want every person in my chair to feel like their hair was designed specifically for them.
Consistency has also played a big role, especially when it came to building my clientele from the ground up, but I think the foundation of everything has always come back to connection and trust. When clients feel heard and understood, everything else naturally follows.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renewsalonmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinity.at.renew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Trinity-at-Renew-61559054772666/
