In this soulful and expansive episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Sal Salcedo, renowned hair artist, educator, and founder of Nova Arts Salon.

What begins as a conversation about hair quickly unfolds into something far deeper: identity, magnetism, creativity, sustainability, and business as a vehicle for cultural impact. Sal shares how growing up in Mexico, immigrating to the United States, and navigating the ego-driven culture of the Los Angeles beauty industry led him to build something radically different. Nova Arts was never meant to be just a salon. It was designed as a sanctuary where artists and clients alike feel seen, empowered, and free to express their authentic selves.

Carly and Sal explore how business can be both artistic and philanthropic. From launching a “personal brand project” for his team each spring, to developing a green salon model in Mexico City, to reimagining the salon as a community art space, Sal demonstrates how entrepreneurship becomes powerful when it is built from inner alignment rather than imitation. This episode is a profound exploration of what happens when you stop copying industry archetypes and start creating from your own inner flame.

Key Themes:

• Business as Self-Expression: Why sustainable success begins when your heart, mind, and mission are aligned.

• Creativity as a Responsibility: How every person is an artist and why declaring yourself “not creative” limits your potential.

• Culture Through Presence: Why leadership begins with the energy you bring into a space and how intentional culture creates magnetism.

Memorable Quotes:

“What we call magic is just magnetism when we are fully ourselves.”
“I can’t teach you to be great — you have to want that already.”
“Everyone has a flashlight. We just have to remember we can turn it on.”

About Sal Salcedo:
Salvador Salcedo, originally from Mexico, moved to the United States at thirteen and discovered his passion for barbering while cutting hair in his garage. He later refined his craft through Toni & Guy and built his reputation in top salons including Sally Hershberger, Ramirez Tran, and Salon Benjamin. With more than two decades of experience, Sal views hair as a medium for understanding people and helping them express their identity.

Driven by a vision of inclusivity and artistic freedom, he founded Nova Arts Salon as a space where creativity and self-expression thrive. Through his global #HAIRTOUR and his expansion into coaching and mentoring through Beyond Hair, Sal continues to elevate artistry, consciousness, and leadership within the beauty industry and beyond.

Connect with Sal Salcedo:
🌐 https://www.salsalcedo.com/about
📸 https://www.instagram.com/salsalhair
🌐 https://www.novaartssalon.com/

Listen to the Episode

YouTube: https://youtu.be/T8G3J-AL32I

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/70Uwr94XTQEIKK8I5MIVEL?si=b7dbb462a6c94301

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-artists-way-of-doing-business-with-sal-salcedo/id1835497020?i=1000749983599