Talent Isn’t Enough How ‘Texas Hairstylist’ Built a Booked Out Chair Without Selling Her Soul

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
You can teach anybody how to getclients, but if they don't have
the hustle, you can teach anybody skill.
You can be like, this is how I do a highlight.
This is how I tip out. This is how I tone.
And then you can talk about color theory or whatever.
You could be the most talented hair stylist in the entire
world, but if you don't know howto get clients and actually

(00:21):
spend the time, it's not it's not a, oh, I'm going to go into
the salon and leave the salon and that's my job.
No, it's for the first couple years, it is constantly
responding to Facebook posts andyou know, like basically anybody
who gives you a compliment on your hair, you hand them a card
like you have to do very it's, it's a 24/7 job.

(00:45):
And then when you get to that point where you have your books
full, you can rely on your clients for references and then
you can kind of chill out for a little bit.
But I think the people who are coming out in the beauty school
world, they, they aren't taught that.
Hello everyone. Welcome back to Beauty Bound.

(01:08):
Today. I am very excited to have a
special guest here, but like youall know, I'm Crystal Rubio.
You can find me at Beauty Pro Bookkeeping on Instagram and I
am here with Amy and I've I've been very excited to have her on
and I, I had been bugging her somuch to to be on.

(01:29):
I know she's a busy woman, but she has so many awesome videos
on Instagram. But you know, without further
ado, I'll let her introduce herself.
Hi, I'm Amy Whitaker and I'm so happy to be here.
Thank you so much for inviting me.
That was very exciting that you wanted me to be on your show.
But yeah, I'm I'm on Instagram here by Amy WI am on now TikTok.

(01:54):
I was a little terrified of TikTok for a while, but I'm here
by Amy W on that as well. Facebook here by Amy WI.
Keep it simple, but then I run my own studio and it's called
Trend Lab LLC. And it's so cute.
I swear from the first time whenI went in with Scott to do you

(02:14):
know, some of the social media posting, like walking into your
studio, it just feels so, like 1, so relaxed. 2, the way that
you have everything set up. To me, that was like awesome.
It made me want to go back to dohair just for a tiny bit.
That's awesome just for the factthat's like when I was
decorating. Like it sounds really lame, but

(02:36):
I call my style comfy Lux. Yeah.
Just for the fact that it's like, I want you to have that
luxury experience, but I also want you to be comfortable.
Yeah. Because sometimes when you have
it like, too fancy or like it's too like, oh, like sterile.
Like I just, you know, people feel relaxed.
And so that's awesome that you felt like.

(02:57):
Yeah, 'cause it just feels it, it's very welcoming and it is
very like high class, but very welcoming.
And that was really cool. And one of the things that I
always like that I love about going to your Instagram, you
always post the funniest shit onthere.
And I'm just like, damn, where does she come up with all this?
You know, because it's so funny,like it's always so funny.

(03:19):
But you're also very educational.
So that's tell us a little bit about that.
So my whole deal is education. I love education.
Funny enough, I have my degree in education.
Yeah. So I always wanted to be hair
stylist. And my parents were like, that's
nice, honey, why don't we go to college and we'll talk.
About it later. Yes, and it took me forever to

(03:41):
figure out what I exactly wantedto do as far as getting my
degree. And you know, I, I, I've always
first and foremost have considered myself an artist.
So I wanted to do Fine Arts, butthen I was like, like, but like,
what am I? How am I going to apply that?
So I decided to get an art education degree.
And if you want to have a lot offun, getting a degree, like your

(04:04):
education is the way to go just for the fact that you that like
they make you take all of the art classes.
So, you know, you get to do a sculpture, you get to do, you
know, all these different things.
Ceramics. I love ceramics.
Yeah. Like, I mean stuff that you, you
know, you might not have normally done.
So that was super fun. But when I graduated, it was

(04:27):
around 2008, and that's, and I was in Florida and that was when
the economy was like, collapsing.
So I started managing an Ulta down there and it really just
kind of reinvigorated my love for hair, beauty, everything,
right? So that's when I was like, you

(04:48):
know what, I've done what you wanted me to do.
I'm going to do what I want to do.
Now it's my turn, yes? And but, you know, do I regret
getting my degree? I mean, there is kind of one of
those things where I'm like, I where would I have been if I
didn't spend all those years? Because, I mean, I'm telling
you, like, it took a little while.
Yeah, because I didn't know whatI want to do.

(05:08):
So it's like I always look at like my student loans.
I'm like, I should have been a doctor for how long?
I've gone to school. You know, but but then you know,
so when I went into when I wanted to get into hair, I went
into a little bit of a change up.
So I decided to go to Chicago. Well, it was kind of like LA,
New York, Chicago, but my mom had recently moved to Chicago

(05:29):
and I was like perfect bigger city, like more high fashion.
And so that's where I ended up going to school.
And you know, of course, like when you start you, you know,
hairdressing like I was, I was acolor specialist at the time.
I went to art and science, the fantastic salon in Chicago.

(05:52):
But it's, you know, it's Instagram wasn't around back
then. Word of mouth, yes.
And it was really like, I remember if you didn't have any
clients, they were like, what are you doing?
Like go take that stack of cardsand put it all in the
businesses, like speak to the owners, do everything you can.
And it was definitely more like,how many people can you touch?

(06:12):
And then maybe, maybe one out of100, you know, would come to you
and then you would hope that they would like their service
and then revert. So, and then I remember like
Instacam did come out, Instagramdid come out and it was like,
you know, grainy photo. There was nothing to do with
business or like bringing peoplein.
And so at that point I had married my husband and we moved

(06:33):
to Denver. And so we started doing the
whole, you know, Instagram thing, but it was like, remember
the mirrored? Pictures.
And I was, you know, and what's you would just hashtag your
city, hashtag your stylist, and people would come.
Yeah. And so we ended up OK.
We moved all around. But once we left Denver, we

(06:55):
ended up going to Madison, WI, and I found out that I was
pregnant with twins and I, yeah,I already had like a small
infant already. So I had a toddler and two
twins. And so, and starting with the
new city, I had to take a break.So by the time we had moved here
and I was just like, OK, you know, did the twins, you know,

(07:16):
and the toddler. And then I did the COVID and
everything. It's like now I can actually get
back to work. Instagram had turned into such a
completely different thing. And it was, it was a little
terrifying because I was like, IOK, I'm sorry, I have to, I have
to do videos now and like be a cinematographer and like script
and like do these like weird things.

(07:36):
And so I, I was really nervous for a long time and I had a
client, Tara Matavi, she's, I think it's, it's Tara Matavi on
Instagram, but she knows how to blow up.
Like literally she like she has hundreds of thousands of
followers and she was just like,you just need to put something

(07:59):
out there. Nobody cares.
And The thing is that if it's cringe or if it's anything, you
just scroll past it and like nobody's going to care.
And that, and I had to chew on that for a couple months, Yeah.
Because. It's like you're putting
yourself out there and yeah, andwhat if you do blow up?
And then what if it was really cringe?
And I mean it's. Like what if, what if there's

(08:19):
haters? What if there's that?
And so I started something with something simple like where it's
like you tugged on the before here and then like you flipped
it and then like you tugged on the like after and and then like
started getting a little bit more comfortable with that.
I did like a million of those videos, but then I noticed that
I wasn't getting people to stop other scroll right, Like I was
in like that 203 hundred range and I wanted something a little

(08:44):
bit more. I wanted to build a little bit
more. And I just realized like, Hey,
I'm I think I'm pretty funny. Let me try some, you know, funny
things. And that's kind of where it
started, and I started getting alot more views.
And then you went viral. There was one video, right?
Yes, there was one that I I cannot remember right now which

(09:05):
one it is, but you there was onevideo that went viral.
Yes, so luckily I've been very lucky where I've had several
ongo viral since then, but the one that made the big splash was
the there was like a audio or it's like 12345 and then
basically the first number woulddrop off.
So it'd be like 2345 and it would go all the way to 8 and,

(09:29):
and then like at the very end itjust was 8.
And it was, it was a fun, you know, song And a mom was, I saw
the audio first where mom was like, Oh my gosh, like when
summer happens or like when you go into school or something like
that, it's like you start off with $123,000 and you know, and
then you like, it's slowly like kind of builds down.
And I was just like, Oh my gosh,I should apply that to small

(09:49):
business. And, and so I think that's why
it blew up so much because not only do is that, you know,
painful for so many salon owners, but it's also relatable
to so many. I started getting dog groomers
on there and being like, Oh my gosh, it's so relatable.
And then, you know, like, and then like other business owners
and things like that. And then, you know, what's nice

(10:10):
is it gave me a platform where Ihad a lot more, I think I had
like probably 2000 followers in that, like just just in that
video. And, and that's kind of how it
started. And of course it turns into this
like weird pressure thing where you're like, Oh my gosh, like I
might top that, right? Exactly.

(10:31):
But then I just kind of was like, OK, I'm going to be true
to myself. And and then it just kind of
went from. There.
Yeah. And it's been awesome because
then even the the one shot of words, right.
Yeah. So when that happened and I saw
that pop up, I was like, I remember I actually texted Scott
and I was like, Oh my gosh, like, look at her doing her

(10:52):
shit, you know? Yeah, it was the first year that
I applied. I've seen it so many times.
And I saw that there was a funnyvideo category and I was like,
OK, let's try it, you know, and,and I, I, I had a few viral
videos at the time and I, I submitted all three.
And then funny enough the the the OG the 12345 video was the

(11:16):
one that got me in. No way.
That's awesome. Yeah.
So how was your experience goingthrough all of that?
Because I've always. So I started doing hair when I
was in California and I remember, you know, the the one
shot of words and always wantingto like submit myself, but being
too afraid of doing the hair because I, I, I loved vivid and
so. I can see it like with.

(11:37):
The Oh my God, thank you, and that was like always my thing,
but I was always so afraid and Inever did it because I was
always so afraid of that rejection.
You know, but seeing all the people that I like I learned
from and and them doing all these things, I was like, man,
like I want to be there one day.Now I, I, I don't because it

(11:57):
again, I just don't do hair anymore.
But seeing you do it and and going through all this, how is
like, how was that all that process?
How was the? Because obviously you submit
then they they tell you whether you made it through or not,
correct? Yes, so you submit it and then
you wait a really long time and and you know, I was I was the

(12:19):
same with you. Like I there one shot was part
of it when I was still doing hair before the twins and I
don't think there was a funny video category and I wasn't
doing funny videos at the time, but I was just I just didn't
feel like I was good enough. But then, you know, I've had
people, you know, basically say you can't win the lottery if you
don't play right. So it's just like who's going to

(12:41):
know that you submitted that? You don't even have to, you just
put submit it. And then and so basically when I
waited so long, I kind of forgotabout it.
And then they started coming outwith the nominee.
And so they nominate the top 100.
And I remember opening up my Instagram and then seeing like
the top 100 pop up and I like quickly scrolled through the

(13:04):
names and I didn't see it. I was like, damn, that stinks.
Like I thought I would have gotten it, but like, it's my
first year. It's totally fine.
And then and then I got an inboxmessage, slight, slight,
slightly after. And then I went through the
names and of course it was, I just missed my name.
So so that was really exciting. And then I was just like, oh,

(13:25):
perfect, they're going to do it off of content.
And then I'm just going to go tothe award and like see how it
is. But I didn't realize it was all
about voting. So that kind of, you know, I
took the wind out of my sails a little bit just for the fact
that I don't have a huge following and I was competing
against these people who had like hundreds and hundreds of

(13:46):
thousands of followers. So you know you get to because.
You know, every day, daily, right?
No, it was, it was actually kindof strange where you, you, it
saves your vote. So you just click on it and then
it doesn't go away. And then what's funny is that
this year they didn't have like a submit button.

(14:07):
So I just threw I like all the phone because I was, you know,
calling all my families and friends and, you know, my mom
and my grandpa and, you know, like, and they were just like, I
hit the check mark. But it did I do this right?
I'm like having to like walk through through it.
But but yeah, so I really going into it because they don't

(14:28):
announce the top like 5025, you know, however many it is until
you actually get the award. So you don't know if you're
going to be in the top five. And then like, you know, they
that's when they, you know, it'slike almost like the Academy
Awards, right? Like so and so and so and so and
like the winner is, and I didn'teven have a speech prepared just

(14:49):
because I was just like, I'm just happy to be here.
I am a winner. Just even being nominated, just
being able to go. And since it was in Dallas, like
I, you know, actually was able to go and drive up and
unfortunately my husband wasn't able to come.
So I just went by myself and it was.
It was so much fun. Oh my gosh.
So were you there? Because it's a three day thing,

(15:10):
right? It was Saturday, a four day,
yes. Oh my gosh.
And then that Monday night was the awards, yes.
OK. Yeah, and how was that part?
Because even until then, you still don't know if you made it
or not. Correct.
So what? What's really cool is that if
you are a nominee, they have a big party on the 1st day for you
and it's like yeah, it like so Iwas, I was really excited and

(15:34):
then you know it kind. Of who I am, I'm just kidding.
Well, I mean, that is I will saythat this was such a great
experience for me for the fact that a lot of times when you
know, Instagram social media, it, you are in the comparison
game, right? Like you're just like, oh, I
have another thousand followers,but it's still only 7000

(15:55):
followers and this person has 170,000.
And you kind of do that comparison of like, you're never
good enough, right? Like when you first start out,
you have 100 followers and you're like, you're like, Oh my
gosh, that would be so amazing if I could get to a 200
followers. And then you get to the 200.
And it's like this constantly. The goal post is moving right?
And so when when I went to that first party and it was the one

(16:18):
shot award. So there was a lot of people
that I follow and like look up to.
And then of course I have no shame.
So I went and I like. Just like hi.
And it was the first time that somebody came up to me and they
said, Oh my gosh, are you Amy? And I said, yes.
And they said, Oh my gosh, I'm such a big fan of yours.

(16:40):
Like, and they asked to take a picture of me.
Was that so cool? It was the coolest thing.
And I was like, literally the whole time, like turning,
turning behind me, I was like, are they're talking?
They're are they talking to me? Like, is there another Amy?
Am I imagining this? And, and it actually happened
throughout the entire event, butit was, it kind of reminds you

(17:02):
that because you feel like sometimes you're, you're
speaking out into this empty void.
And my followers, I will at least my audience who I try to
talk to are hair stylists. It's not like actual like
clients. And I get clients from it, but
it's more to hair stylists. And so, you know, when you get

(17:23):
people who are a concentrated group of hair stylists who are
on Instagram, you know, it's really cool because you do get
you forget that 7000 people. That's like my following is
around there. That's a lot of people, that's a
lot of people. And so it really kind of boosted
me up a little bit and kept motivating me because sometimes

(17:45):
it's a little unmotivating because you're just like OK, I
got 2 followers from that. And you know, and you spend a
lot of work on it. And then, you know, what's crazy
is that some things that I'm like, this is going to go viral
and it's like womp womp. And then like the ones that I'm
just like, oh, I'll just do thisreal quick and then I'll put it
up like whatever. And then that's the one that
goes viral. It's always the things that you
put the least effort into sometimes.

(18:06):
Yes. So it, it really was a really
positive experience just to be around, you know, other
creatives, but then also to realize that's like, oh, I'm not
speaking out into an empty void.No, people know you and I I
think that's the the one cool thing.
And I always say like when you know, when is it that you reach
that moment? We had a a waxer who is also

(18:27):
very her name is Bree Mesquite, OK, And she's also, you know,
man, she has thousands of followers, right?
And for me, it's like, when was that aha moment like that, man,
people actually know like I'm doing something for the
community, you know? Because I think prior to that,
like even for you, you're sayingyou're sitting there comparing

(18:48):
yourself to all these other hairstylists who have tons of
following. But then you show up to the
awards and you're you're the person that they admire when you
have somebody bigger that you admire.
But then to them, you're that person.
Right. Yeah, exactly.
I mean, that was that was, that was my aha moment because, you

(19:09):
know, for a little bit I was, I was just, you know, it's, it's
social media is a weird thing, right?
And and then when that first person recognized me, and then
what's crazy is that I was just like, Oh my gosh, thank you so
much. And then I like, I get this like
little boost in my step and I'm like, Oh my gosh, like they

(19:30):
recognize me. They think I'm a star.
Funny enough, that person and I still haven't, I still haven't
figured out his name, but he actually went on stage to
present one of the awards. No way.
And I like, of course, the wholetime he made me feel like a
freaking celebrity. And he's like the big deal.
So I literally, I cannot, I, I've been trying to and I

(19:52):
actually recognized him, but I was just like, and yeah.
And he was, and we talked a little bit and he was an
educator for Schwarzkopf and. So it just, you know, like those
little things like that. I was just like, holy crap, a
big deal, actually recognizing, but I I went through the whole
weekend not realizing that he was the big deal, right.

(20:13):
So it was it was that like that whole the whole time was an aha
moment for me. And it's, you know, it's it
social media is such a struggle sometimes and and rarely I do.
I think that a lot of people actually get that opportunity
going somewhere where it's a concentration of your followers

(20:35):
every once in a while get like when I was at the when I was at
lifetime, somebody recognized meand they're and they're like, Oh
yeah, I follow you, I want to make an appointment with you.
But I've never had another like hairstyle be like, Oh my gosh,
can I take a? Picture because it's like I
feel, I know for me, one of the biggest people that I used to
follow and I still follow her. Oh my gosh, why did she used to

(20:59):
be a Pulp riot educator? She's no longer a pulp riot
educator and I completely just spaced on her name.
She had the green Pixie hair color.
It was like a bright green. And I cannot remember her name
right now, but I remember meeting her for the first time
and she was so nice and so kind.And I'm over here fangirling

(21:20):
over her, you know, because it'slike, man, like I follow you.
I like I love learning from you and EXO stylist.
There you go. I'm like, I couldn't remember,
but I remember, you know, like it was so awesome and, and
meeting people who are actually down to earth because I've also
met people who are not. And then you're like, oh, I
should have just watched you online, you know?

(21:41):
Like just, you know, they alwayssay like don't meet your heroes
because like it can tarnish thatlike vision of them.
But I mean, I cannot think of a more humbler group.
That's awesome. Then the people that I met, You
know, one of the people that I really wanted to meet was Color
by Carlos. And he is an educator.

(22:03):
And then he's also a person who does really funny videos.
So I fangirled over him and he was just the sweetest, nicest
guy. Like give me so many
compliments. Told him that like one of my
first videos was like totally ripping him off with his audio
and everything. And I'm like, but now I do my
original content, I promise. But it was and you know, when he

(22:25):
was such, he was, he was like, Oh my gosh, that's what it's
meant for, you know, but he was definitely a highlight.
But I got to see Jade Beauty Co.I shoot, I think that's what her
name is, but she's hilarious. She's the one who did like all
the like if Cinderella got. Oh my God.

(22:49):
Like a makeover. And then it's like, and then
she's like talking shit about, you know, like Rapunzel or
whatever. I'm trying to think of like, and
then there was Abby Brookie who was like super, I don't know if
you know who this person is, butshe's, she has red hair and
she's, she's always talking likethis.
And she's so Oh my. Gosh, and.
She's like, Oh my gosh, let's make you red.

(23:09):
And I was just like, I wonder ifthat is her right.
It is. No way.
Yes. And so I came out to her and I
was just like, again, I have no shame.
And I was just like, hi, I'm a big fan.
And she's like, hi, you want to take a picture with me?
I'm like, yes, thank you. I'm like.
You really do talk this way. And yeah.
Here by Mick, there's I mean just anybody and everybody

(23:33):
they're like they were there andit was just every single person
every single person that I talked to was just so kind I
didn't feel rushed, you know, like talking to them.
They wanted to actually engage in conversation.
I didn't feel like a nobody. You.
Know awesome that is so awesome man OK, so now obviously and
then coming back from that, you know you obviously come back

(23:54):
with I'm sure more ideas, more things that you want to do
because you've been here how long have you been doing hair?
So I've been doing hair for about 15 years and there was
about a 3-4 year break in between.
OK, with the kids and stuff. Yeah, yes, so and you've been
because you're inside Sola. Correct.

(24:17):
How long have you been there? So I've been there for almost,
well, exactly 2 years. Yeah.
And so I just resigned my lease there and I love my studio.
I do feel like I looked, I shopped around.
It's the first time I've ever been in a studio.
Yeah. So I wanted something that was

(24:37):
spacious and was clean and you didn't hear through the walls
and you. Have a a corner window.
Yes. And so I have so much natural
light. And I mean, it's, it's, it's a
little bit of an expense, yeah. But it's absolutely worth it.
And. I always you know, and that's
when we talk about expenses whenit comes to the studios, I know
that a lot of people and especially a lot of hair

(24:59):
stylists, we tend to look at that the the big expense, right,
right. But we don't think about, and I
don't know if you've, if you've thought about this, like if you
were to own a salon, Yep, that it wouldn't just be your rent
expense because it would be yourutilities.
It would be your, you know, likeobviously like Internet, all

(25:20):
your utilities plus whatever triple net there is out there,
whatever you know. So then it ends up being like
three, $4000 a month of just. Yes.
Well, and that actually I was going through that process last
year. I was looking for spaces to open
up my bigger salon. You know, I've been educating a

(25:42):
lot of and mentoring a lot of stylists and I've always wanted
to expand. That would spend my dream for 20
years and I ended up getting into a space that was close by
and then, you know, I was going to basically by the time my rent
was done, which would be now, I was planning on moving, moving
into it. And you feel like you can be

(26:05):
prepared and you know certain things and you're not like, I've
worked in so many salons and I've been owning my own studio
and okay, I'll have utilities and I'll have this.
But every corner that you turn, there's another expense.
And there's, I mean, I didn't realize that I had to pay for my

(26:26):
own dumpster. Like just little things like
that, that you don't even like all the stuff that you named.
Like I think a lot of times people when they go into a
salon, they think of those things, but there's so much
other things on the outside of that that you don't even think.
And then once you're in it, you're just like, OK, well, I
guess I have to do that. And then that puts so much

(26:49):
pressure on you to, you know, make that money.
And then I slowly started realizing, OK, is this my dream
anymore? Is this because this is my
dream? Been my dream for 20 years.
Like I've, I've been like this, I'm going to do this.
And within those 20 years, I never stepped back and was like,

(27:09):
wait, wait, wait. There's been a lot that's
happened. Is this still my dream?
And that was a, that was a real hard struggle for me.
And when I started, and of course, during this time that I
was doing this, you know, it wasall, when the tariffs were
happening, everything was being very unstable as far as like
product, material, all that. And I kind of got into that

(27:33):
point where the permits were kind of killing me.
And basically they were going totake me almost into next year
and I was going to have to be paying not only the rent that
I'm paying inside Sola, but thenalso for this large space that I
would not be making money in. And so finally I was like, I'm
going to cut my losses. I'm spending way less time with

(27:53):
my kids. I'm, you know, I'm having
actually a hard time finding theright people to work for me
because I don't want to just fill the spaces.
I want somebody to match my brand and be able to, you know,
kind of match our vibe because that's huge, but then also be
able to produce a certain look that I want being used to.

(28:16):
And it's it's it's a struggle. So if that was definitely a wake
up call for me. Because even finding the right
people, I feel like I, I feel that a lot of girls who are out
of beauty school, and I'm sorry if you're run out of beauty
school and you do put the effort.
I'm not talking to you obviously, But there is a lot of

(28:36):
girls out there who come out of beauty school and have that
entitlement and they don't have the work ethic.
And then they sit there and theyjust expect you to just hand
them the clients, hand them everything.
And just because they're workingfor you that you're supposed to
do all the work and they're not supposed to do anything. 100%.
And it's so frustrating to go through that and to see that

(28:59):
because I know how hard I had towork to get my clientele.
You've known how hard it's been to get a clientele and they just
want to come out of school and just be like, oh, well, hand
them over. Like that's not how it works.
It's really tough because, you know, I, I'm actually, I'm very
lucky that when I moved to all my different States and cities

(29:21):
and all that kind of stuff, I, Iwas able to build a clientele
And it's like you kind of figureout what works and what doesn't.
And each city is completely different than the next.
And so I, you know, thought it would be awesome to bring in a
younger stylist from school because a lot of times, you
know, if there's a stylist that's been doing it for years

(29:43):
and years. And you know, my whole goal is
that you learn my techniques. So I can, you know, give you
clients as I raise my prices andthings like that.
It's not that I want a mini me or a clone.
I just want them to be right. And I want them to be able to,
you know, satisfy the client that I've been working on for
years, you know? Especially let's say some God

(30:04):
forbid something happens to you and you're not able to come in
that day, but you have clients, correct?
They know how like they should know how to do the hair exactly
the way that you do it. Yes, and then they can do their
own thing too, because I'm not abig a vivid fan, but like if you
want to do vivid, absolutely go do vivid.
But that was I was really excited about it and I was like,
Oh my gosh, it's going to be so good.

(30:25):
And then I'm going to teach themhow to like, you know, get the
clients. And it's like you can teach
anybody how to get clients, but if they don't have the hustle,
you can teach anybody skill. You can be like, this is how I
do a highlight. This is how I tip out.
This is how I tone. And then you can talk about
color theory or whatever. You could be the most talented
hair stylist the entire world, but if you don't know how to get

(30:48):
clients and actually spend the time, it's not it's not a, oh,
I'm going to go into the salon and leave the salon and that's
my job. No, it's for the first couple
years, it is constantly responding to Facebook posts and
you know, like basically anybodywho gives you a compliment on
your hair, you hand them a card like you have to do very it's

(31:12):
it, it's a 24/7 job. And then when when you get to
that point where you have your books full, you can rely on your
clients for references and then you can kind of chill out for a
little bit. But I think the people who are
coming out in the beauty school world, they they aren't taught
that. And you know, I remember
especially in Chicago and I do have a little bit of a theory on

(31:34):
San Antonio right now. But so in Chicago, basically,
especially in the city, you're dead in the like for your
business if you're not an educational salon, if you're not
educating and making sure that those the people who are young

(31:55):
stylists are advancing in their work, right, because beauty
school is about the basics. I always talk about this, but
how you know you're learning thebasics and to pass state board.
It is you can literally, and this is, and trust me, because
I've gotten like the license in each state that if you have to

(32:16):
do a practical and you fail every single service, but then
you like pass on your sanitation, guess what, you
still pass. So they're not interested.
They could care less. The state could care less if you
screw up somebody's hairstyle, right?
If they they want to make sure that there's no, you know,

(32:36):
there's infection control and, you know, making sure that
you're not using the same comb on the, you know, the other
person, but. Instead of them.
And I feel like one of the biggest things that they should
worry about too is chemical burns, like the way that you
apply a product. The what?
What is it that? How developer?
What are you applying? Because they really teach you
how to apply it. They don't really go into like

(32:57):
the advanced kind of techniques on that.
So what happens in Chicago are in like bigger cities and things
like that when there are so manyeducational salons, like they
grow you up to be your baby stylist, but then they basically
are like you're not shit like you need to go get an education
and an advanced education in like these big salons if you
actually want to make money. And when we get into smaller

(33:21):
cities, you know, we still have the basic beauty school, but
then, you know, it would be unfair for those instructors to
be like, you don't know shit. You have to go find, you know, a
hair salon. They will probably encourage you
to get more advanced education, like going on YouTube channels
or like buying a subscription orwhatever.

(33:42):
But since there isn't a very many salons, they kind of build
them up right? And you should, you should build
them up. But then they come out of school
being like, I'm hot shit. I like, I literally like, you
know, Ace, I was the best hair stylist like in that school.
And it's like, yes, you were, but you were the best hair
stylist at basics. And and so a lot of times when

(34:05):
I'm getting and I'm interviewingthese, these, you know, young
stylist, you know, the work ethic isn't there.
And then they're like, I don't, I don't need to learn anything.
I know everything. And that's where they're wrong.
Like bitch. I've been doing this for years,
years and I don't know everything.
I always say if you know everything, it's time to retire

(34:26):
because it is a constantly evolving, you know there's.
So many new techniques. So many new techniques, I'm sure
there's a brand new technique that I don't know right now.
And I just went to a million classes, you know, during the
one shot awards. So it is it is absolutely
essential that they need to knowthat just going to beauty

(34:46):
school. That's not that's not the work,
the work. It was what happens afterwards.
And you can absolutely make money and like be a killer hair
stylist, but you have to invest yourself.
Invest in yourself, not only with time like the money with
classes. Cuz I feel like if I was to even
go behind the chair now, like I've been, I think I stopped
doing hair in 2020 right after COVID.

(35:08):
I stopped doing hair, you know? I was like, I'm done.
Yes. So.
I can see why, yeah. I was like, I'm so done.
Yeah. And I feel that if I was to go
back to doing hair right now, I'd probably have to go back to
assisting because I feel like there are so many new
techniques. 100% And don't get me wrong, there's some I still

(35:29):
do some time every once in a while.
If I'm craving that need to do hair, I'll do like my daughter's
hair. I have, you know, 4 kids, but
two of them are my my girls. And so, you know, they like the
vivid or they like the balayage,but I'm like, is balayage even
the thing anymore? You know, because it's it is,
but it's a different technique and there's different ways to

(35:50):
apply it, correct? Yeah, that's that's that's a
great example just for the fact that when I took those four
years off, I mean, not only did I know anything about Instagram,
but you know, I learned balayageas far as like the proper
technique of like actual balayage where it's like open
air. You put the Saran wrap on and
that's what I was doing. And I was, I was, I mean, that's

(36:11):
was all the rage. But then by the the time I took
my break and then came back, foil lodge was.
All. And I was just like, OK, I don't
know. So I ended up funny enough
taking a year of subscription for the BTC classes behind the
chair they have like a university.
And so I ended up, you know, going on there and really kind

(36:33):
of boning up on my techniques. And then, you know, every client
that would come in that I think would be a good one, I'd be
like, this is a new technique. Do you mind if I try it on you?
And, and then that's kind of howI, you know, built up my skills.
And then and then when you are up to date, when you do go and
you take classes, then it's justbuilding blocks, right?
But then if you go from like just the basics to like the

(36:56):
Super advanced technique, it's such a big run and it's like,
no, you have to. Get to go in steps and start.
And you keep having to build yourself every year.
Every year you have to learn newthings.
Yeah, and there because there isa lot of stylists who will not
take education. And I think I maybe know of one
salon here and not even in San Antonio, I don't think.

(37:16):
I think they're in Stone Oak possibly.
And I can't even remember the name of the salon that when I
first came to San Antonio, I remember I was like, man, but I
was in that mindset, like, how do I even get started in a new
state and you, you know, a new city.
How do I build up again? Because by this time I had
already forgotten how to build up.

(37:37):
Because I had already been doinghair for a while.
Right. And then that's like, it's
almost like a muscle that you need to exercise and you're just
like, wait, how do I ride this bike again, you know, and then.
It was word of mouth before, youknow, like I had my clientele
already and now I'm like. Now you have to hashtag and yeah
and do weird videos and yeah, and then it's just like, is that
even going to work? Exactly.

(37:58):
Yeah, and I was like, man, it took me a while to even because
I didn't know because and it wasthat once so long that I
remember and I was like, oh man,I don't Even so that and I even
questioned myself. I'm like, I don't even think I'm
good enough to go assist there, even though I had already been
doing hair for so long and I didn't even know what to do.
So I went to Sola, you know, because I was like, OK, I'll

(38:19):
figure it out. I'll build up my clientele
again. There is, there is something
about a freedom of like being able to do what you want and
what you need. I do think that, you know, and
this is just my opinion, but I really do think that Sola salons
and the the studio salons are really more for people who are

(38:39):
experiencing. Yeah, just, and you know, and
you had experience, but it's because when you are so young
and you're a baby stylist, it's,it's really nice to have people
around you that you can learn from because you, you know, the
saying it's like you should never be the smartest person in
the room. You know, it's like you always
want to be able to keep learningand even you don't even have to

(39:01):
take classes if you're in a salon, you know, you can do
that. But and then after you get those
techniques and after you get a little bit of a clientele, it's
like, yes, like studio time, like decorate it the way you
want and you know, do that. But it is kind of isolating in
there if you don't know how to build.
Yeah, yeah. So for you right now, you, you

(39:23):
have an assistant, correct? And so this, this isn't your
first assistant, right? Because you correct, you had
somebody else before. So so yeah, I've had.
I think I've met maybe like 2 oryeah.
So I, I, I went through a coupleand then I found Celeste, OK.

(39:45):
And Celeste had, you know, she came right out of school.
She was a little bit older. She like not older, like as far
as me older, but like, you know,older than like what an average
cosmetology student would be. And so I do think that helped
with like having a little bit more life experience because

(40:05):
she's actually lived a little bit of life.
And so she was great. She, she assisted and she was a
hard worker. And I, you know, would take her
out to lunch and be like, this is what you need to do.
This is how you need to do it toget clients.
And so she started bringing in clients and then.
And then So what I do is I do a test out.
So I have several techniques that they have to learn and

(40:30):
they're learning while they're assisting.
And I encourage them to ask questions at any point in time.
And my clients actually love it too because they're like, Oh my
gosh, I learned something too. But so they have to bring in
models and then the and basically I will grade them on
that. And usually it's an average

(40:50):
about 3 models per technique. And then she ended up testing
out of all of her models. She graduated and now she's a
full time stylist. So she uses my other chair.
She just recently has moved so she is coming back like only
part time and doing longer days so she doesn't have to come in

(41:11):
every single day. And then went through a couple
different other assistants, one that lasted like a couple months
and one that lasted like literally 2 weeks.
And I was like, it is more work to have you here.
And if you know anything about me, I am, I am, I will work with
you no matter what. I find, you know, talent in
everybody. And like it was bonkers to me

(41:33):
that I was actually having to let people go.
It was I, I was, I was, I like, I, I was going home to my
husband like upset. I was just like, I don't know
how to get through the, to this person and he's just like you,
you know, you've been working onthem for months and they aren't
getting it. You just have to let them go.
And that's a big part of being abusiness owner, you know, but

(41:53):
then I was kind of losing faith a little bit that I was just
like, Oh my gosh, maybe I shouldn't have an assistant or
apprentice. Like, I should just focus on my
own career. But then Diamond came in and I,
you know, she was part of a whole bunch of interviews and I
just loved her. And she has been absolutely
amazing. And she's currently testing out

(42:15):
now while she's assisting. That's awesome.
Yeah. So what are your goals?
Like what obviously the salon thing right now, it's not, not
it. Yeah, right.
Yeah. But as you're getting assistance
and in your testing them out, isit for you to have less stays in
the salon or is it to be able tostill obviously run your studio

(42:39):
like a salon because that's at the end of the that's what it
is. You do have a bigger suite, you
do have two chairs. So what is?
What is your goal? So always, always, always
because it's it's trend lab, salon and education, like
education is first and foremost.I love doing it.
So I will always that's kind of what drives me a little bit.

(43:02):
Like I love educating my clientstoo.
And I think that's why I have such a big clientele because
like I actually tell them why this is happening instead of
like, well. Just because I said so.
Right, exactly. So, so the salon dream is not
gone. It's just definitely going to be
more delayed because I, I reallydo want to spend a little bit

(43:22):
more time with my kids and that takes me away further from my
kids. So yeah.
And so when, when they're older and they don't think I'm cool
anymore and they don't want to hang out with me, then that's
when I'll do it. But it's always in the always
within that dream has been an educational salon.
And so now, you know, when I first started out like 20 years

(43:46):
ago, like, you know, the Internet, it's so crazy for me
to even say this, but like it things weren't the way they are
now. And you can take online classes.
And so that is my goal right nowis to build an online
educational platform. That would be awesome.
So I actually, funny enough yesterday met up with a website

(44:09):
designer and I'm currently kind of in the process of building.
So I need to find a web like something that can hold all of
my videos and I'm just going to be uploading.
I'm a kajabi. That is that.
I like I love kajabi. OK, perfect.
That's that's a great. Code for you.
I have a code. For you.
OK, that sounds good, but basically I just want to like

(44:32):
upload videos and continuously upload videos of little things
that are educational about technique.
And so here's my plan. It might change, but basically I
want to have like an A la carte plan where it's like you can
scroll through the videos. If you really want to learn
about like a money piece, then you can just buy that.
If you feel like you're good with everything else, but you're

(44:53):
struggling with this one particular thing, then you can
go ahead and get that. The the second one would be a
membership. So it would be a monthly
subscription. You would get access to all the
videos and then the third membership would be you would
get access to all my videos, butthen you would also get online
coaching. Oh, that's awesome.
So in that way that is going to be more for like how do I how do

(45:16):
I build my clientele? Because so many people right now
especially like online education, it is about technique
and like how I do it. And like I said before, if you
are a fantastic, fabulous know everything hair stylist, but you
don't know how to get clients inthe door, then you're dead in
the water. So I'm hoping that that will

(45:37):
also be a really added value of like, okay, you have the
techniques now. How do we get the clients to put
those techniques on? That's awesome.
So right now that's so that's why how I got into TikTok
because I was a little scared ofTikTok for the longest time.
And but then I took a class overat the one shot awards and the

(45:58):
person who who did the class wasit was Sharon simply dot insane.
And she has millions of followers on TikTok and hundreds
of thousands followers on Instagram.
And she basically kind of laid out a plan of like, hey, you
need to be on TikTok because it's a different vibe over
there. And like she kind of laid out

(46:20):
certain things. And so this past week I they
have put up 4 videos. Every single one has gone
completely viral. Millions of views, hundreds of
thousands. Of views isn't that insane?
It's bonkers. It just goes viral.
Absolutely bonkers and but it's more educational instead of
funny. I'll still do the funny stuff,
but, you know, I definitely wantto do more education because

(46:43):
nobody's going to buy, you know,memberships of like, OK, like,
she's funny, but what can she do, you know?
And so, you know, I want to build that up just a little bit
more before I start launching. Because once you build that up,
it'll be easier for you to connect them to.
Oh, well, here are my how to videos.
They're hot. Yeah.
Or here's. Hot, Yeah, yeah.
Oh my God. So you give them like a little
free education on the TikTok, But then if they want something

(47:05):
a little bit more in depth, theycan, you know, head over to my
website that is now currently being built.
That's awesome. Oh my gosh.
And see, that's one thing. I also, I think as hairstyles,
we never know how important having a website is.
It's we never know that you should have a website that you
should have, you know, because we use we're so just into our

(47:26):
booking system and we think our booking system is all we need.
But in reality, it's like you want to have people come into
your website and know exactly what it is that that you do like
a little bit of, you know, behind the scenes, like what is
your story? How did you get here?
You know, because I think right now everybody uses either gloss

(47:47):
Genius or Square. Yes.
I always say as a bookkeeper, I hate gloss, genius.
But I as a stylist, I loved gloss.
Genius. Can I ask why you don't like it
for the the bookkeeping? Because As for the bookkeeping
part of it, it's I either have to constantly bug my my clients,
which is you guys to send me thereports or I need to be able to

(48:12):
have your login so that I could personally login and download
that report. So I'm not bugging you, OK, It
does not integrate with QuickBooks.
It does not integrate with 0 at all.
So it's not like the moneys coming in, but it doesn't show
me the breakdown of what was tips, what was your credit card
fees and then what was cash and what was Yeah, you know, it

(48:34):
doesn't show me that breakdown. So I have to bring it, you know,
get it from from us. Yeah, yeah.
And Square, it integrates with everything.
So then it shows me the breakdown so I don't have to.
Worry. And that's the toughest part
because, you know, I use square a long time, Yeah, in Denver.
And it was really easy. It was, you know, and then I
didn't even realize because I would bring my stuff to the

(48:55):
bookkeeper and then it was perfect.
Yeah, but it's with gloss Genius.
It definitely has a lot more style.
So that I think that's why and. Like I said, yeah, so as a
stylist, right, man, it's amazing and especially all the
new things that are coming in because I have a lot of a lot of
clients who do use Gloss Genius.So I just have the their login
and I just log in, you know? But all the new things that

(49:18):
they're coming up with is reallycool.
Yeah. But I'm like, dude, when are you
going to integrate it with a booking system like?
You know, so I just got finishedup with a paid partnership with
Glass Genius. Oh, that's awesome.
It's really fun. So you might see it like scroll
up on your feed, you know, for like ads and stuff.
But you know, what's crazy is that I've never, I never and the

(49:39):
person who has connections, but I, I was talking to people in
corporate. So I should just please yeah,
like message them, be like, yo, like you need to.
Figure this out because as a bookkeeper, like my whole thing
is I love helping stylists grow their business and, and just
having you guys have a clear picture of where your money is
going, how much money you're making, how much money you

(50:00):
should be saving. You know, I love doing all that.
But when it comes to like if, ifit wasn't because of that, you
know, the glass Genius does not integrate with anything that I
use, I honestly would be recommending all my clients to
use Gloss Genius. But because of that, I push him
towards square. Yeah.
So that's my, you know, But I still, regardless, I know I have

(50:22):
my clients who are loyal to Gloss Genius, and I understand
why. Yeah, because as a stylist, I
was also loyal to Gloss. Well, and it's so tough too,
just for the fact that, you know, moving different platforms
and then like working, having toget like all of the clients, you
know, back into that space and then like, oh, it's such a

(50:42):
freaking pain in the butt. So I'm definitely with gloss
genius and you know, and unless something you know, fancier and
like all that stuff comes up, but it's like that's what's.
It's cost effective as well. It is it is very cost effective,
but but if if it makes it less easy for you, you know, that's

(51:03):
something to think about. So it it would be something that
would be. Really that's, you know, because
I focus my bookkeeping, I only focus on the, the beauty
industry. And yes, I have other clients
who are not beauty professionals, but it's, you
know, a handful. Everybody else is beauty
industry 'cause that's what I know.
That's what I, you know, I was behind the chairs.
So I and like I said, glass genius is amazing as a stylist,

(51:26):
you know, but just get your shittogether.
Yes. No, I get it.
I get it. I'll, I'll just talk to my
connection, please. Yeah.
Oh my gosh. So obviously we've talked about,
you know, the the one shot of words.
Do you plan on applying again next year?
What is the goal for? That 100%, I don't care if it's

(51:48):
like the the worst thing that I've ever done and that's the
only thing that I have to apply for, but I will absolutely do
every category that I can because that experience has been
absolutely incredible. I mean, there was several people
who were there that weren't, youknow, nominees and you know, it,

(52:11):
it's just there's something about it where with because Mary
behind the chair. You know, what's crazy is that,
you know, before Instagram, I was featured in their magazine
when it was just a publication. And so, and what's crazy to me
is that I still have not been featured on their Instagram.
I have been like, hey, yeah, behind the chair, it's me.

(52:34):
Like I tagged them and everything.
What's funny is that like I do original content and they will
post my recreators. No way.
And then I'm. Just like what?
Like, why aren't you posting? Yeah.
But but I think there's just like millions and millions of
people who are always tagging them.
So it's like at one point I'll I'll be yes, but but just even

(52:57):
being a part of that group because Mary has grown this
huge, amazing, you know, social media platform along with her
publication. I don't even know if they do the
magazine anymore, but but it's just an amazing network of
people and creatives and and everybody's very supportive.
I've been to several different hair shows.

(53:18):
I used to be in the hair show circuit.
I used to compete with Wella trend vision and things like
that. And so I've been to several,
several shows and like the what is the one that's coming up?
Premiere, premiere and then the international beauty show.
You know all those things and not oh, I haven't been to.

(53:39):
That Oh my gosh, you have to go to 1 Beach.
But like, nothing compares to the four days that I spent.
You know, it's a little pricey. Yeah.
Because you have to get a hotel and.
And you know, you my goal is to go next year.
You have to. I was supposed to go this year.
Did you send a lot of different things happen where I couldn't?
Yeah, but I wanted to go. This year, you should, yeah.
And so I just got a notificationthat it is in Fort Lauderdale

(54:04):
next year. So it's not in Dallas this year.
Oh, man, our next year, next year.
But it's I'm just like, you don't have to tell me a choice.
It's a write off, yes. Exactly.
That's the best part of it, being a business owner.
I'm like, I don't tell me it's awrite off, but don't tell me
everything's a write off. But there's a lot of things like
this. Yes, it's a write off, you know,
So it's so awesome. Oh, that's awesome.
Well, I'm so excited. I cannot wait to see everything

(54:26):
else that you continue to do. And I'm like I said, I've been
very excited to have you on. So I'm so glad that you said
yes. I saw her guys.
I bugged her so much and I knew she was busy.
And then finally I was like, I'll just wait a little.
But I know, like, I have kids too.
So I know the kids get sick and I know like, it's a lot of

(54:46):
business running a businessman running a business.
Well, and it's like every time my phone rings, you know, like
it's an actual phone call duringthe slot, like my heart drops
because I'm like, Oh my gosh, it's the school nurse.
I know, I know somebody like hasa fever or like an earache or
something that I have to go pickthem up and, and you're like,
but I. Have somebody in foils.
I can't do that. And it's so funny because like,

(55:07):
this just this past summer, I felt like me and the nurse were
besties because I had a child who could not get rid of strep
and she had an allergic reactionto amoxicillin.
And it was just, it was it was ongoing all month long.
But she would call me like, she would call me up and she'd be
like, you know, Miss Whitaker. And then there's more fever.

(55:29):
And I'd just be like, OK, well, you know, you know what I'm
doing, right? She's like, I know you have
chemicals on somebody. I'll see you like whenever I can
see you. And, and so they'll keep them in
the office or something like that.
But yeah, I mean, that's, that'sthe like, that's the tough thing
about being a hair stylist. But it is nice because, you
know, I'm able to move clients and certain things like that.

(55:50):
What it's like, you know, if I, if I was working a corporate
job, maybe that. Would be yeah, so, So what are
some tips that you that you could give to some new stylist
that are coming out of beauty school?
So basically start trying to getclientele now.
Clientele is your lifeblood. And, you know, I think a lot of

(56:13):
times people are coming out of these schools and they want to
be Instagram famous and they just, you know, think that they
can just get into a high end salon and then they'll just be
showered with clients because ofthe name.
And it's, it's, it's not the case.
So, you know, start hustling nowstart figuring out what's what
clientele you actually want because I mean, you can cast out

(56:35):
a broad net. But when I started kind of going
a little bit more into like low maintenance hairstyle and then
grey blending, you know, that that was when I would tell
people, hey, I'm looking for more of you.
Do you have any friends? And then that's when I was able

(56:56):
to start building without as much effort, still a lot of
effort, but not as much. And so that is a big thing is
just clientele, clientele, clientele and social media is
your best friend. So one of the tips that I always
tell my apprentice is what you want to do is don't stray away

(57:17):
from Facebook. Everybody at Facebook is old
news. It's all that tic tac.
It's all about Instagram. But Facebook is still a little
bit more connection than any of then posting and then having
comments. And so I always say get an get a
Facebook and find the groups that, yeah, your clients are in.

(57:40):
So for me, when I got here, it was Mom group.
Me too, that's how I grew my clientele.
Yep. Yep, I offered free services at
one point when I first started because I had no one.
Yeah. I was like, I'll do a rat.
Like a giveaway. Yeah.
A mom. Yes.
Do you know how many following? You know, like.
Man, and and there's nothing more chatty Cathy's than mom

(58:01):
groups. So basically what I so so so I
started working at Lifetime salon.
So it's actually an Athletic Club, but then there's a high
end salon like attached to it. And I kind of got recruited.
So it was during the pandemic. I was, it was really cute like
one of the manager because I wasthere all the time because they

(58:23):
have daycare and I was just like, I need, I need just just a
couple hours, just a couple hours by myself.
And so I love my guests. Please take those.
Yes. So I was there literally, you
know, every single day for at least three hours.
And I mean, because you would have like 2 1/2 hours, 3 hours

(58:44):
for daycare. And then like, you know, I would
run on the treadmill for maybe 1/2 hour and then like the 2 1/2
hours I'd be in like the sauna, like, yes, I like just chilling.
I'm like, Oh my gosh, this alonetime is amazing.
But people always saw me, right?And of course I have these cute
little identical twin girls and then like this little boy.

(59:04):
And so we're kind of, and they're very loud, just like me.
So we're, we're kind of a scene,you know, when we go in there.
And so one of the managers came over and offered me a free
massage. They were like, Oh my gosh, you
know, we know you work really hard, yadda, yadda.
Like here's a free massage on us.
And I was like, Oh my gosh, that's so sweet.
So I saw her in the, because I never had been in the salon at

(59:27):
all. I saw her in the dressing room
and I started thanking her for that.
And I was like, you know, I'm a hair stylist.
I didn't even realize that therewas a hair salon here and the
person there was like vanities kind of meeting up together.
And on the other side of the vanity was the salon manager.
She came over and she started asking me questions.
She found out that it was I usedto be a well, well a educator.

(59:47):
And she was just like, Oh my gosh, we need you in the salon.
And I've been to this point. I was just like, I don't know if
I want to be in a gym salon. Like it's just.
And also like I. You're like, do I get free
daycare? I'm just.
Kidding. Well, and so that was.
And so I asked her a couple questions.
I asked her. Now do I is it only members?
And she said no, you can you canbring anybody.

(01:00:08):
And I was like OK plus right. And then I was like, can the
members or can the non members use the daycare?
And she said yes. No fucking.
Way and so within three months Iwas fully booked because I went
on mom's groups and I said, you know, when's the last time you
got your hair cut? When's the last time you got
pampered? You know, because everybody's
like either having to pay a babysitter, they're having to

(01:00:30):
bug their husband or they're having to, you know, whatever it
is. And I'm like, you know, you do,
you do not have to be a member and I can offer you free
daycare. I will cut your hair within an
hour and you have two hours for free.
Like, and, and so a couple people bit on that.
And then once people realize that because I think people were

(01:00:51):
just like, you can buzz off my hair, I'm totally up for that.
Like I care less if it was a good haircut.
But once they started seeing that I actually was good, that's
when I just started blowing up like crazy.
Oh my gosh. So when I was in beauty school,
my dream salon was to have a salon that had a daycare and

(01:01:12):
like, you know, that was it. Like I remember thinking in my
head, imagine they come in, dropoff their kids at the daycare.
I have the beauty salon area then like the spa area.
You know like all these like huge ass dreams but because of
daycare alone man. It was, it was awesome.
And I, I mean, it was, it was bonkers how fast I grew on that.

(01:01:35):
And what, you know, again, another tip for the hair stylist
of the new hair stylist out there is when you so always use
wherever you're at as an opportunity.
So whenever as I was building myclientele and you know, we were
at the Athletic Club and it's attached to that.
So on a Saturday, if I wasn't booked, I would still come in

(01:01:57):
And I wasn't just sitting aroundfor that.
I would literally like set up a little tray and I'd put like all
the like little, you know, products on it, a blow dryer, a
curler. And then I would wheel that with
like a little stool over into the locker room and I would
harass people going into the shower.
I said, Hey, I know you're goinginto the shower.

(01:02:18):
If you want a free blowout, I'm happy to do it over here.
And they're like, OK, And then Istarted having a line.
No way. And then I would have a little
stack of cards and it would have, you know, like free
blowout because I'm a big person.
Like don't discount your services.
Never discount your services. Offer free services, but don't

(01:02:41):
because nobody's expects free again.
People will always like expect discount again, right?
So, so I would offer like the card would be, you know, my name
and then it would say free blowout with Amy Whitaker.
And then and by the time they would come into the salon and be
like, you know what, this is absolutely free.
Do you want to get a treatment? It's only $2525 and you get
soft, beautiful, healthy hair and a blowout for only $25.

(01:03:04):
And they're like, heck yeah, let's do it.
So and then I that would turn into a client.
So it's just whatever you have as an opportunity, take it.
And that's how I always build like just because.
You're not putting money out on a block.
You're not. Yeah, and as long as you get
them in the chair, you can razzle dazzle them and then

(01:03:25):
they'll come back just pre book them.
But but that was that was how I built.
But but it you don't have to have free daycare.
You, I mean, if you, if you are a vivid person and you have
tattoos, like find local tattoo groups on Facebook and advertise
through there and like do some kind of, you know, like get

(01:03:48):
however many dollars off your like for how much tattoos you
have or something like that where it makes it fun.
And then you'll get one, maybe two people that bite on that
because everybody's up for a discount or a free service.
But then it's your, it's that opportunity to have that person
come in and then you talk to them.

(01:04:09):
And I usually will do like, hey,if you put in the honest review
and print that out for me, I'll give you, you know, a free
treatment or something the next time you come in.
And the one smart thing about that is that if they're wanting
a discount and coming back in, they like you.
But then if they're printing it out and showing it to you,

(01:04:29):
they're going to freaking say amazing things about you.
Exactly. So So what was?
Because you know, a lot of timesyou can advertise in these
groups and you can, you can be like, Hey, I'm the best
hairstylist ever. But like everybody says that,
right? So when it's an honest review in
mom's groups, tattoo groups, whatever group that you're
wanting to kind of tap into those, those are what yes,

(01:04:54):
that's when you have people in your DMS.
It's like, Hey, I saw that you were, you know, da, da, da.
And then I always, always, always have a number for the
person and I will send them their before and I will send
them their after picture. So whenever they want to post
about me, they have the like, very, they don't have to do like
the weird selfie in the bathroommirror and like the lighting's

(01:05:16):
off and stuff like that. They can actually show my work
how I want to present it and then that that's how that's.
A huge tip, guys. Yeah, that is because it's true.
It's like they're showing the that mirror selfie and it's
like, yeah, that doesn't even look good.
Yes and like or the because freaking bathroom selfies are
the worst because it's always yellow.

(01:05:37):
But and I and I do small editingon my picture like the whole
like no filter I think is ridiculous like IA lot.
There's a lot of times where I will take a picture of something
and it will not look like what it is in person, so I will.
Because you have to make like you take the phones take has
some weird glare sometimes or a weird tint.
Yes, that's that's not what you see.

(01:05:58):
So I will, I will do light editing.
I won't do anything that will change the hairstyle or like the
color or whatever, but I will edit it to make it, you know,
curated for that client and for my Instagram.
But that is a huge, huge thing of make your clients be your
workers. Yeah.

(01:06:19):
You know and. I'm sure when they look at your
hair too, your hair is fucking amazing.
That's another tip too, girl. That's thank you.
This is all your hair. This is all my hair and you
know, it's, I have very, very curly hair and you've seen it
curly. I've seen it curly.
But but that is another thing tostop going like, and you can
look like, you wanna like, I look like a hot mess now when

(01:06:41):
I'm going out, you know, groceryshopping with my kids.
But when I'm building my clientele, I am always walking
out looking to the nines becauseyou want somebody to compliment
your hair. Because anytime anybody's like,
Oh my gosh, I love your hair. You're like, I'm a hair stylist.
Here's my hair, you know, and that's because, I mean, one of
the, one of the assistants that I had, one of the big things

(01:07:03):
that I was having problems with is that she wasn't coming in.
It's, it's presentable. Thank you.
Like making an effort because I mean, you can see me like I'm in
a crop top and leggings and like, you know, but I, it, I
don't need anything professional.
I just need something trendy making an effort.
Like you have your chains, your hair is flowy and very cute.

(01:07:28):
Right. Like just kind of making it like
yourself, because I don't, I don't want mini clones or
anything, anything like that. I just, I need because you want
and you want your client to see you and be like, damn, she's
cool. Like I really want to get my
haircut by her. And, and that was something that
I've noticed with new stylist too.
Like they were coming to interviews with like dirty

(01:07:48):
T-shirts and you know, the hair undone and no makeup on.
And it's just like, I don't wantto be that person.
That's like, why don't you like do your makeup more often?
But at the same time, it's like we are, we are the beauty
industry like we are presenting.The way that you look is what's
selling your product. Right, exactly.
So and that's that's another thing that I think you know, cuz

(01:08:10):
like, like the homeless Chico, you know, like the sweatpants
and like, you know, kind of the the rocker kind of thing.
Like OK, that is totally, but like put some makeup on or like,
you know, smooth out your hair just a little bit.
Like that's all you. Need you want like you know,
yeah, yeah. Like for so me, when it's
podcast time or I have meetings with clients, my hair is done,

(01:08:31):
you know, because I want to lookpresentable.
I want to, you know, but if I'm at home and my, my, my meetings
are going to be over the phone. Oh, my hair is up in a.
Butt Oh my gosh hair stylist we are such hot messes like like on
the. Streets you will not recognize
me. Nope.
And it's it's funny because likeI always call it like my Sunday
wear where it's like I literallyhave like a gross old T-shirt

(01:08:53):
on. You know, I have like my big
fats like fugly slides on and myhair is like in like a total
mess where it's like all the flyaway and I'm just like this is
me. This is me.
Yeah, but you know, it's, but you know, I would never go to
work like of course. Yeah, that's awesome.
No, it's true. It's like and I think there is
no what there is. I've seen the memes.

(01:09:14):
There is no in the middle. I either look homeless or super
trendy. There is no in between.
There is no in between. Like the joke of like you're
either walking out from Vogue oryou're Adam Sandler.
Like there's no in between. Yeah, it's so funny.
And even Adam Sandler still looks like Adam Sandler on any
word show. Like.
I know, I know. But like, I'm sorry, but when

(01:09:35):
you're a freaking bajillionaire,like you can totally.
Yeah, exactly. And that's The thing is that
there's, there's plenty of people who are in solo right now
that like maybe don't dress up as much as, but they have a good
clientele because they built that right.
And so when you have a full clientele and everybody knows
your talent, great. But when you're building a
clientele there's that's not an option.

(01:09:56):
Clients already know you, so they know that you.
You know, today I'm having an day like this is what you get.
But that's because they've already seen you at your best,
Yes. Now your clients, it's, you
know, But yeah, when you're building, girl, you better get
your shit together. Yeah, you got to.
You got to look like you're, youknow, charging $200.
For exactly because if if you'recoming in here looking homeless

(01:10:17):
and you have no clients, I'm notgoing to book with you.
Yeah, like just, and that's an any industry I feel like.
Yeah, like look good for what you're offering.
Yes, absolutely. And that and that's The thing is
that's like, you know, some people do wear all black and
then like the suit jacket and you know, are dressed to the
nines about like certain things and they wear designer stuff

(01:10:39):
because they want that to track to the client and.
I'd be so mad if I got bleach onall, like on my stuff like that,
you know, like. Oh my gosh.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah it no, it's so funny because it's like
I hate wearing a sorry a bump oflike, I hate wearing the like
aprons because it like hides my outfit.

(01:11:01):
But like trust me, this was likea four pack T-shirt on Amazon
and then like. It's super cute.
I think she looks super cute. Guys that you do like, I think
you accessories, I can't remember accessor accessorized
it really good with your chains and everything.
You look cute. Thank you.
And that's The thing is that youcan, you can dress up anything
with like some jewelry and like making sure that makeups right

(01:11:21):
or whatever. But but then like what's funny
is that like people are always like, you know, it's high end
product when it when it bleaches, because it's like
natural. And I'm just like, I want that
polyester shit. Like I want stuff made out of
plastic because if I get bleach on it I can just wipe it off
like. Yeah, and you'll be OK.
Yeah, what I have on right now is like Spanx, Yeah.
And it's like, like I think you know, 80% polyester, like 20.

(01:11:44):
Percent is not gonna do shit. Nope.
Like there's been times where it's like I've gotten like a big
stripe of bleach on there and like, people are like, oh man,
like, is that a problem? It's big.
You're like, it's Amazon. Exactly.
Exactly. Yeah.
Because, I mean, I could, man, Iwould never like, yeah, props to
all those who do. Yeah.
Yeah. But I could never.
There's no way that I could. It's not even that I'm a messy,

(01:12:07):
you know, Bleacher. But every once in a while you're
like, you get so excited and it's like.
Or like somebody like like there's you touch the tray and
then your butt like does the tray?
Because I get butt marks all thetime.
So yeah. So you know, yeah.
Permanent marker. That's that is another tip.
I always have a permanent markeron me.
Yeah. And most of the time I wear
black. So.

(01:12:29):
Yeah, exactly. Yeah, Oh my gosh.
Well, thank you so much for being on, for coming on.
And again, remind us where we could find you.
So you can find me at Hair by Amy W basically on all
platforms. Yes and follow well that TikTok
cuz you know she's blowing up guys and stay tuned for those
educational classes cuz you knowthey're coming.

(01:12:49):
So again, thank you so much and y'all could find me at beauty
pro bookkeeping and the beauty bound podcast on Beauty bound TX
on all platforms. So please like and share and we
will see you next time. Bye.

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