We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Arnold recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

What is the most challenging in our industry is cancellations and no shows to booked appointments. When you are an independent cosmetologist or esthetician you rely on those appointments to make money. It is essential to us even if it doesn’t feel essential to others. When clients don’t show up to their appointments we don’t make money and I think people forget that.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Rachel Arnold and I have been a licensed cosmetologist for 8 years now. I attended cosmetology school in high school but took a year off and then finished my schooling at Tulip City Beauty College. I was a mom when I went back to finish my schooling and I decided to return to cosmetology school because I really wanted a career that would be flexible. I currently offer lash extensions, sugaring and hair color.

I am really proud of myself for pushing through no matter what storm I was going through. Our industry can be mentally exhausting and I’m sure we’ve all wanted to quit at some point or another. Im happy I kept pushing through the difficult seasons other wise I wouldn’t be where I am now. I want potential clients to know that at Drip Body Bar you are heard, seen and valued. We create the most relaxing safe environment for our clientele and deliver high end results. Our goal is to have you leave our salon in a better mood than when you came and feel absolutely special for the day.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

This was a side hustle for me in the beginning. I worked a regular 9-5 job Monday through Friday and then I would go to the salon from 6-10 during the week and work all day Saturday! I had young kids at home and I really wanted this to work so I could leave my full time job and turn this into my career. I’m thankful for the support I had from my family during that time because I wouldn’t have made it through. I left the salon I was in an rented out my own space which was exciting and nerve racking all together. While continuing working two jobs and getting my new place established I decided I wanted to search for an employee. I did a hiring call and did find 1 person that was interested in working with me! That was HUGE for me in my business. A month after I had my first employee I had multiple others reach out to work at Drip. I had waited tor 3 employees before I decided to leave my full time job!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

It is the way you treat the clientele you have now. It is all about the client experience. These clients can choose yo go anywhere and they chose you. They are also looking for a luxury experience and that doesn’t mean “expensive”. There are so many ways you can elevate your clients appointment for them to be excited to share who they go to with others. In my opinion focusing on the clients you have by offering an experience they can’t find anywhere else is the most effective strategy because word of mouth will make or break your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/dripbodybar
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dripbodybar
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dripbodybar
• Other: Threads @dripbodybar