OUR STORY

The COVID-19 pandemic affected small businesses all over the world. Revenue dropped, the supply chain collapsed, employment plummeted and people all over the United States were faced with tough decisions and even tougher times ahead. This is how the story of MaxxCole Salon & Skin Spa begins.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Nicole Lerda was working for a local University after having spent 22 years in leadership in the financial services industry. During her 20+ year corporate career, Nicole made it her personal mission to support as many women as she possibly could.

It was January 24, 2020 when Nicole was getting her hair done at the former Salon. The pandemic was just ramping up and after her service the former owner pulled her aside and told her that the business was not going to survive. Nicole was touched, but more saddened by what this loss meant to the employees and the community. It was in that moment that Nicole was inspired — she needed to rescue this business and this team from its inevitable demise.

With the support of her husband, they took aggressive steps to purchase the business and on August 24, 2020, MaxxCole Salon & Skin Spa was born. All 10 employees were saved and a new family was created with Nicole at the helm.

In 2021 MaxxCole Salon & Spa was named the “Women-Owned Small Business of the Year” and Nicole Lerda was named a Pittsburgh Professional Women Woman of Influence. In 2023 MaxxCole was awarded an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and Nicole won the Brave Women Project’s Pillar Award for Encouragement.