Underrated Salon: Don’t Overlook Me
Underrated Salon
Raelynn Sanders, a 25-year-old entrepreneur from Hammond, has built a thriving business that goes beyond hair—she’s creating a space for art, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. As the owner of Underrated Salon, she has turned her passion for creativity into a career, proving that hard work and dedication can shape dreams into reality.
Raelynn has always been drawn to art, but in high school, she initially considered becoming an engineer. However, she quickly realized that path wasn’t for her. Determined to build a career she loved, she sought a profession that revolved around creativity and self-expression. In May 2018, she graduated from cosmetology school, originally enrolling for makeup rather than hair. During her training, she discovered a deep passion for waxing, hairstyling, and coloring. She loved the artistic process of transforming clients, saying she sees each one as a masterpiece.
By September 2018, at just 18 years old, she took a leap of faith and launched her business. Then, in May 2021, she officially opened the doors to Underrated Salon—a space where she could be in charge, set her own standards, and create freely. Raelynn’s ambitions extend beyond styling hair. She also runs a clothing brand, Underrated, which she started in high school. Her brand represents those who are often overlooked but full of potential. She has taken her designs to pop-up shops across the country and continues to grow her fashion line alongside her salon.
Her commitment to uplifting young women is a major part of her business. Having faced challenges as a young entrepreneur, she now offers opportunities to up-and-coming stylists, ensuring they have the support she didn’t always receive. She recalls how difficult it was to be taken seriously when she was starting out and wants to be the person who gives young women a chance.
Raelynn is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. With a young child to care for and the ups and downs of running a business, she has faced challenges head-on and emerged stronger. Her salon has cultivated a loyal clientele, and every service, from hair and braiding to tape-ins, makeup, and brow waxing, is delivered with passion and care. She also sells hair extensions at her shop, providing her clients with high-quality products to enhance their look. Her advice to others is to not be afraid to take risks. She believes in pushing past doubt, proving that even if you’re overlooked, you are more than capable.
“Come take your coat off, sit in my chair, and I’ll shower you with encouragement while taking care of you,” she says. More than just a stylist, she’s a mentor, a motivator, and an unstoppable force in her industry. Through her own perseverance, Raelynn Sanders has built a brand that empowers, uplifts, and inspires—one client, one masterpiece at a time.
