“The working of hair is architecture with a human element.” – Vidal Sassoon
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Ever wonder what my 20 year journey behind the chair looked like? Discover what it takes to build a six-figure salon from scratch (without using Instagram!)
After 2 decades behind the chair and interviewing some of the most incredible educators in the beauty industry on our podcast, I’m excited to share the behind-the-scenes story of my journey building my luxury vegan hair salon, OMGhairstyles. I’m taking you back to where it all started—straight out of beauty school—when I launched my salon suite and turned it into a six-figure success machine, all before social media became a major player in the business.
In this episode of The Elevated Life podcast, we’re sharing “How I Built a Six-Figure Salon from Scratch (without Instagram)” so you can build a thriving salon suite, no matter where you’re starting. If you’re in the beauty biz—whether it’s hair, lashes, brows, or running your own med spa—this episode delivers the tools, principles, and systems you need to scale your business without burning out or having social media fame.
Tune in to hear:
- Behind-the-scenes stories from my early days in beauty, including the highs, lows, and everything in between that shaped my growth as a salon owner
- Why you don’t need a massive social media following to succeed in the beauty industry
- My unconventional early marketing efforts and how I evolved my approach over the years
- The burnout-proof techniques I’ve mastered to manage my salon stress-free (Want more on this? Join my free webinar for stylists on how to scale your salon suite to 6-figures without the hustle and burnout)
How I Built a Six-Figure Salon from Scratch (without Instagram)
Build More Than Just an Online Presence
When I first kicked off my career, MySpace ruled the internet, and social media marketing as we know it wasn’t even on the radar. So, I had to get creative—handing out business cards, getting involved in community events, and building real connections made all the difference. And guess what? It still does! While social media is a powerful tool, never underestimate the impact of local networking. So, yes, show off your skills online, but don’t forget to get out there—show up in your community, sponsor events, and attend beauty expos to build your credibility and let people feel your vibe firsthand.
Stand Out by Offering What Others Can’t
You can’t just coast on the basics. Early in my career, I realized that just cutting hair wasn’t going to take me where I wanted to go. So, I dove into hair extensions and found my niche in Dallas. This not only set me apart, but it also gave me a premium service that attracted high-paying clients. Whether it’s color corrections, bridal styling, the latest beauty trends, or offering luxury vegan products, become the go-to expert in your field. When you offer services that not only meet but exceed client expectations, you create a loyal following—and can confidently charge premium prices for your expertise.
Set Boundaries to Save Your Sanity
Let’s get real—letting clients dictate your life is a one-way ticket to burnout. I learned this the hard way, staying up till all hours doing extensions for clients with late-night appointments. Spoiler alert: it was exhausting. You have to know when to say no and carve out hours that work for you. Clients respect professionalism, and trust me, they’ll appreciate it when they see you have a balanced life.
Remember: it’s your business, your rules.
Educate Your Clients, Don’t Just Style
I’ve always believed in empowering clients, not just styling them. It’s not just about making them look good—it’s about helping them feel good and confident that begins within. Sharing hair care tips during appointments or hosting mini workshops keeps your clients loyal because you’re positioning yourself as their trusted go-to expert. They’ll see you as their hair mentor, the one who cares about them beyond the chair. And guess what? Educated clients make for loyal clients who come back, again and again.
Never Stop Learning
From day one, I sought out mentors who could challenge me, teach me, and push me to grow. Mastering your craft doesn’t mean you stop learning—there’s always something new to discover. And once you’ve mastered your own lane, don’t forget to pull others up with you. Whether you’re giving hands-on guidance or sharing coffee and wisdom, mentorship keeps you inspired and connected. Plus, it feeds that entrepreneurial spirit that helps you keep leveling up in your career.
(Want more on this? Join my upcoming live webinar for stylists on how to scale your salon suite to 6-figures without the hustle and burnout)
How I Built a Six-Figure Salon from Scratch (without Instagram)
[01:29] How my passion for beauty and hair first came to life and the inspiration behind starting my own salon suite straight out of beauty school.
[03:55] The step-by-step journey of how I built my business from the ground up without relying on social media and turned it into a six-figure machine.
[08:42] Reflecting on career milestones and how personal growth played a huge role in getting to where I am today.
[11:08] How I stayed connected to my passion for hair without burning out in a demanding industry.
[17:47] Why mentorship and education have been key pillars in my success, and how I now use them to inspire and empower the next generation of stylists.
[27:30] Sharing valuable lessons from my journey, including some nostalgic flashbacks that taught me resilience.
[29:02] The moments of doubt, fear, and uncertainty—and how I overcame them to stay focused on my goals.
[34:42] Where I see the hair industry heading, and how you can stay ahead of the curve as a stylist or salon owner.
[36:30] The importance of building a strong community and collaborating with others to amplify your success
[39:37] How understanding your self-worth and valuing your craft can take your career—and life—to the next level.
[40:30] How my journey in hair has evolved into a mission of empowerment, and what I’ve learned along the way about life, business, and self-love.
[45:20] An exclusive invite to join my free six-figure salon suite webinar to scale without burnout
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SCALE A SUSTAINABLE 6-FIGURE SALON SUITE WITHOUT THE BURNOUT
Calling all hairstylists! Learn the strategies to scale your business without sacrificing your well-being.
I’ve had a Google doc tucked away for the last 8 years, filled with all my secrets on how to build a six-figure salon suite business, but my soul said I had to teach reclaiming your power, self-love, and trusting your intuition first – hence the whole SHINE empire. 😉
🗓️ I’m hosting a FREE webinar where I’ll teach you the exact tools, strategies, and tactics I’ve used to scale my business to six figures—without burning out.
We’re ditching the hustle culture for good 🙅♀️ and stepping into a business model that’s all about flow and balance. I’ll show you how to create energetic boundaries and protect your self-care, while still building a thriving salon business. And it’s completely free! ✨
You’ll discover:
💫 The key mindset shifts needed to effortlessly attract clients.
💫 How to create a sustainable business model that works for YOU!
💫 Effective marketing strategies to attract aligned clients that LOVE your work.
💫 Systems and tools to streamline your operations so you can actually take a break!
In this masterclass, you’ll get access to all my systems that keep me in alignment, help attract my dream clients, and run my business on autopilot—all without sacrificing my well-being.
I’ve been behind the chair for 20 years, educating for brands like K18 and ColorProof, and I’m finally ready to share the wisdom and strategies that have transformed my business. 💇♀️
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a sustainable six-figure salon suite without burnout, this is your chance to learn from me!Join the virtual party and discover how to…
▶ Manifest Your Money Vibes: Say goodbye to the struggle and hello to a flow of clients and cash! Learn how to attract abundance (without a HUGE following)
▶ Glow Up Your Work-Life Balance: Discover the secrets to working smarter, not harder. It’s time to enjoy your craft without the burnout!
▶ Real Talk, Real Results: Learn proven strategies to help you transform hustle into flow with sustainable systems and self-care.
▶ Your Burning Questions, Answered: Bring them to our live Q&A! You’ll walk away with insights tailored just for you by Brit.
Join our empowered community of stylists. Let’s set up your salon for the same level of success—together
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