Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramona Solages.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always had a natural talent for hair—it was something that came easy to me and something I genuinely loved. However in the beginning, I took a different path and went to college for accounting, thinking that was the more traditional route. Over time, I realized I wasn’t fulfilled. I was getting tired of the accounting lifestyle and knew deep down it wasn’t where I was meant to be. My cousin played a huge role in changing my direction—she saw my talent and pushed me to pursue hair seriously. That encouragement gave me the confidence to enroll in cosmetology school. At one point, I did lose my way and ended up dropping out, but that wasn’t the end of my journey. Everything shifted when I found my mentors, Stephen Knoll & Kenneth. They believed in me, guided me, and pushed me to go back and finish what I started. With their mentorship, I not only returned to school but also had the opportunity to work in New York at Stephen Knoll, where I was exposed to a high level of excellence and professionalism that truly shaped me as a stylist. From there, I continued to grow, refine my craft, and eventually build my own brand. Today, I’m proud to say I turned my passion into a thriving business, and I’m doing exactly what I love—helping people feel confident and beautiful every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I came out of Queens with a strong ambition to succeed, but the journey to get where I am today was far from easy. Early on, I struggled with finding my direction—I even dropped out of cosmetology school at one point, which was a major moment of doubt for me. Starting over wasn’t easy. Going back to school, rebuilding my confidence, and proving to myself that I could succeed in this industry took a lot of determination. Even once I began working in New York City, I had to push myself to grow quickly, adapt to a high-level environment, and meet the standards around me. It challenged me in the best way, but it wasn’t easy. As I transitioned into building my own business, a whole new set of struggles came with it. From managing finances and building a team to creating a brand and attracting the right clientele—it required long hours, resilience, and a lot of faith in myself. There were moments of stress and uncertainty where I had to really stay grounded in my vision. But every challenge shaped me. It made me stronger, more focused, and more driven. I’ve learned that success isn’t about having a smooth path—it’s about staying committed, even when things get hard, and continuing to push forward no matter what.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Monafied by Ramona Azcona?
Monafied Hair is a luxury salon experience built on the foundation of quality, expertise, and genuine care. We specialize in some of the most in-demand, high-end services in the industry, including luxury hair extensions, keratin/smoothing treatments, as well as hair repair, precision haircuts, bridal styling, and special occasion hair. Our goal is not just to do hair, but to completely elevate how our clients feel when they walk out of our space—or step into one of the most important moments of their lives. What sets us apart is the experience. From the moment you walk into Monafied, it’s designed to feel welcoming, sophisticated, and relaxing. We focus heavily on personalization—every client is treated as an individual, and every service is tailored to their specific hair goals, lifestyle, or event. Whether it’s an everyday transformation or a bridal moment, we make sure every detail is perfected. We’re especially known for our expertise in extensions and smoothing treatments. From K-tips and I-tips to wefts and keratin treatments, we create seamless, natural-looking results that enhance confidence and maintain the health of the hair. For our bridal and special occasion clients, we’re known for creating timeless, elegant looks that photograph beautifully and last all day. Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the culture and environment we’ve built. Monafied is more than just a salon—it’s a space where clients feel like family and where my team is aligned in delivering a luxury experience every single time. We’ve created a strong identity rooted in excellence, consistency, and genuine care. I’m incredibly proud of how Monafied has grown beyond the salon chair, especially with the development of our product line. Our products are vegan, made with high-quality ingredients, and designed to support healthy, beautiful hair for everyone—including being gentle enough for kids. It was very important to me to create products that not only deliver real results but are also safe, clean, and accessible for all hair types and lifestyles.What I want readers to know is that Monafied is about more than just great hair—it’s about confidence, transformation, and creating unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s through our services in the salon or the products clients take home, everything we do is rooted in helping people feel like the best version of themselves, every single day.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the industry becoming much more focused on hair health, luxury services, and overall client experience. Clients today want more than just a service—they want personalized results, long-term hair care, and a space that feels elevated and intentional. We’re also seeing a huge rise in extensions and smoothing treatments becoming part of everyday beauty, not just special occasions. At the same time, branding and technology are playing a bigger role—salons are evolving into full lifestyle brands, not just service providers. Overall, the future of the industry is about combining beauty, wellness, and experience—and creating results that make clients feel confident and cared for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monafiedhair.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monafiedhair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramona.solages
