We recently had the chance to connect with Marina Vogel and have shared our conversation below.
Marina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My mornings are my reset time before the day gets busy at the salon. I usually start by waking up and taking a few minutes to stretch, then I make myself a cup of coffee and call my mom in Germany to catch up — it’s our little daily ritual. After that, I take my dogs for a walk to get some fresh air, and then I do a workout. Depending on the day, it’s either Pilates, a Peloton class, or EMS training. That morning routine sets the tone for everything else and helps me stay grounded, energized, and ready for whatever the day brings.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Marina, the owner of MaVo Hairlounge in Fort Lauderdale. I was born and raised in Germany and started doing hair when I was just fifteen. By twenty-one, I had already opened my first salon back home — but I always dreamed of more. In my late twenties, I moved to the U.S. with my two dogs and built a new life and business from the ground up here in sunny Florida.
At MaVo Hairlounge, we specialize in hair extensions, blonding, and color transformations — but what truly sets us apart is our energy. I’ve built a laid-back, welcoming space where clients feel like family. Our team is passionate, professional, and genuinely cares about every person who sits in the chair. For us, it’s never just about great hair — it’s about confidence, connection, and making people feel amazing when they walk out the door.
Looking ahead, I’d love to eventually expand MaVo Hairlounge into a second location and continue growing our presence here in South Florida. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited for what’s still ahead.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I grew up in a small town in Germany, and honestly, I wasn’t the most driven kid. I was shy, not great in school, and didn’t really know what I wanted to do after high school. When it came time to choose a career, everyone, including my teachers and even my dad told me not to go into hair. In Germany, being a stylist wasn’t considered prestigious or well-paying. But my mom believed in me, and I followed my gut anyway.
Once I started doing hair, everything changed. I realized I had a natural talent and a real passion for connecting with people. It brought out a confidence I didn’t know I had. I definitely didn’t fit into the box people in my hometown expected. Most of my friends got married young, have kids, work a safe 9-to-5. That was never me.
When I opened my first salon at 21, some people even laughed and said I’d fail because there were already too many salons. But I worked hard, proved them wrong, and built something I was proud of. A few years later, I started traveling to the U.S., fell in love with Florida, and eventually moved here with my two dogs to start MaVo Hairlounge. It wasn’t the easy route, but it was the right one — and it’s been the most rewarding journey of my life.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. When I first moved to Florida, I opened my first salon and it was a total disaster. Everything that could go wrong, did. Construction issues, bad contractors, wrong people around me… and I was new here, trying to figure out how business worked in a new country. I had an accent, I was young, and I definitely got taken advantage of more than once.
It was one of the hardest times of my life. I had poured everything into that salon, and when it failed, I felt completely defeated. I ended up selling it and bartending just to get by. For a while, I really questioned if I had made a mistake moving here.
But the truth is, that experience became the foundation of who I am today. I learned how to protect myself, how to trust my instincts, and how to rebuild smarter. Eventually, I found my way back behind the chair, because no matter how bad it got, I knew I was meant to do hair. And when I opened MaVo Hairlounge, I did it differently — with heart, structure, and the lessons that only failure can teach you.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’ve always believed in building something meaningful, even if it takes time. After everything I’ve been through — starting over in a new country, failing, rebuilding — I’ve learned that real success comes from patience, purpose, and staying true to your values. I’m committed to growing MaVo Hairlounge into something that continues to evolve, not just as a salon but as a culture that supports growth, connection, and authenticity.
I want to keep developing my team and eventually open one more location that reflects everything I’ve learned along the way. I’m also slowly working toward creating my own hair care line, something that represents the quality and care our salon stands for. These are long-term projects, but I don’t mind the slow process — I’d rather build something real than rush something that won’t last.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I truly lived my life. That I worked hard, built something of my own, and never relied on anyone else to create it for me. That I came to a new country, took risks, failed, rebuilt, and kept going anyway. I want people to remember me as someone who didn’t just build a business, but a life filled with meaning, someone who gave her all, chased her dreams, and still made time to live fully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mavohairlounge.com
- Instagram: mavo_hair
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-vogel-4b52b2366
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/mavohairlounge/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/v19sdZPngW
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mavohairlounge?_t=ZP-90AS1gDRgti&_r=1
Pinterest:
Direct Booking: https://booking.mangomint.com/206991?staffId=5
Image Credits
Robert Gordon, RG Headshots; additional images by unnamed photographer
