Opening a Salon Before Beauty School: Megan eiLTS’ Bold Leap into the Industry

What if I told you someone opened a salon before even finishing beauty school?

Sounds wild, right?

That’s exactly the bold move Megan Eilts is making—and I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with her on this week’s episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations to unpack the why, the how, and the “holy crap, you’re really doing this!” behind her story.

Meet Megan: Corporate to Cosmetology

Megan is a Bloomington-Normal local and the brand-new owner of The Collective—a salon space rooted in inclusivity, creativity, and community. But here’s the twist: Megan is not a licensed cosmetologist yet. She’s a corporate marketing and tech world veteran who found herself burnt out, laid off, and deeply craving a career with meaning.

Instead of spiraling (or retreating to the comfort of a steady 9-to-5), Megan pivoted. She leaned into her curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and the legacy of her grandmother who went to beauty school at 48. And she took the leap into salon ownership before even enrolling in cosmetology school.

Why She Kept It Quiet

One of the most jaw-dropping moments of our conversation? Megan admitted that no one—not even her family—knew she was opening a salon. She quietly toured buildings, secured a business grant, designed the space, and worked out the financials... all while keeping the entire project under wraps.

Why the secrecy?

Megan knew that if she let too many opinions in too early, it might derail the dream. This was a soul-led vision she wanted to protect until it was ready. (Cue the chills.)

The Collective: A Community-First Salon

The Collective isn’t just another salon. Megan’s vision is centered around community connection, inclusivity, and education. With six stations (potentially expanding to eight), a professional content creation space, and quarterly branding photoshoots included in booth rent, it’s clear she’s not just building a salon—she’s building a movement.

And she’s making it wildly accessible. Her landlord helped with the build-out. She secured a local grant to help cover her lease. And she’s providing amenities like towel service, cleaning, and branding photos—plus real support in business, marketing, and goal-setting.

From Setbacks to Soul Alignment

Megan’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes what feels like rejection is just redirection. After losing her tech job and applying to over 2,500 roles with minimal response, the universe was clearly whispering (okay, screaming): you’re meant for something else.

Now, she’s creating a space for other stylists to thrive, while building the future she once thought was out of reach.

For the Stylists, Dreamers & Future Owners

Whether you're in Central Illinois or tuning in from halfway across the world, Megan’s journey is for anyone who’s felt stuck, silenced, or “too late” to start something new.

She’s proof that you can pivot.

She’s proof that you can lead without a license.

She’s proof that the vision matters more than the timeline.

And if you’ve been waiting for a sign to take a leap toward your own big dream—maybe this is it.

🔗 Follow Megan + The Collective on Instagram@thecollective.bn

🎧 Listen to the full episode now:“From Tech to Texture: Megan Eilts on Owning a Salon Before Beauty School” — now streaming on all platforms!