We were lucky to catch up with Jeanette Garcia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jeanette thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I don’t think there is one magical answer for the secret to success, but rather a combination of multiple characteristics one must posses. I believe these characteristics pertain uniquely to the entrepreneurial spirit. There’s a reason why running a business is not for everyone. It takes a willingness to make sacrifices and lifestyle adjustments to start.

Adaptability. After my own experiences I can tell you this may be the most important thing to keep in mind. I started my first business at the tail end of 2019. Being a first time small business owner through a global pandemic taught me that unexpected change could happen at any moment. I’m a Hair Stylist by trade, so I was deemed “non-essential”. My industry, along with many service industry trades, felt that blow especially hard. Adapting to a new normal, new rules and regulations, reduced revenue, and the safety of my community was challenging to say the least. Finding new sources of revenue to help keep doors open during the mandated lock-down was a lesson in pivoting through unexpected circumstances. Giving up the notion that I could control everything and learning to embrace the ever-flowing ups and downs helped me navigate the challenges in front of me

Accepting failure. Anyone that is trying to become an entrepreneur must accept that failure is 100% a possibility. Any time you take a risk, it’s a 50% chance of failure. Being fearful of not succeeding will only hold you back from fully stepping into your potential. In fact, I think some of the most profound growth comes from failure. I made so many mistakes in those first two years. I had zero experience with business or finances. For example, this past June I recently re-branded. I left a partnership after realizing it was more beneficial to move forward on separate paths. I found myself starting all over again from scratch after 3 years of time, money, and energy invested into a project. However this time around, I had 3 years of experience to gain from. I felt so much more prepared, and much more in control of my business because of the mistakes I made in the past. Mistakes are inevitable, but see them as the stepping stone that they are toward your growth as an individual and an entrepreneur.

Tenacity. Lastly, you need to believe in yourself and your vision. Nobody is going to advocate for yourself and your dream more than you are. It may sound cliche, but you truly do need to believe in yourself. The road to success is a rocky one- it’s unpredictable, you typically take a major pay cut, and plan to be working 24/7 for the next 3-5. Stay the course,believe in your vision, and know you have something amazing to offer your community.

Jeanette, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a Hair Stylist with 15 years of experience in the industry. Almost 4 years ago I became a salon owner. I own a small studio that specializes in coloring hair. The name of my studio is Chromatic Expression and I operate out of Abingdon, Maryland.

I knew I was going to be a cosmetologist by 13 years old, so this has been a lifelong passion of mine. It was the perfect combination of creativity and connection. When all of my classmates headed off to college, I headed straight to trade school. By 19 I was working in a salon full time. For the next 11 years I worked in top salons in my area, building a following and furthering my education. I have been fortunate enough to study everything from cutting techniques. color theory, to bridal styling under some of the most prestigious brands in the industry. Goldwell, KMS, Nick Arrojo, Bumble & Bumble, Deva Curl, and L’Oreal Professionnel to name a few. I love perfecting my craft, and I continue to learn every day even after all this time.

After a decade behind the chair I realized my passion for coloring hair and my desire to niche my business down. My studio offers a variety of color services from simple grey coverage services, hand painted balayage hilights, and creative color/color corrections. Clients can expect the highest quality color brands such as L’Oreal Professionnel and Redken , and vegan hair care. Hair integrity and scalp health are my top priorities, as well as curating a custom look for each guest and their specific needs/lifestyle. I love educating my guests on proper scalp & hair care so they feel like the best version of themselves. I pride myself on gaining the trust of my clients while providing consistent results every appointment, no matter if it’s your first visit or you’ve been with me for years. Every single paying client deserves the same energy and attention, feeling truly cared for. That being said, I provide one-on-one attention in a peaceful setting…I wanted to break the industry cycle of taking clients like a deli line in the supermarket. This is a “people” industry, and creating meaningful connections with incredible women through the artistry of beauty is my passion.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I also had to unlearn the terrible habit of comparison. In today’s world of instant gratification and highlight reels, you can get bogged down focusing on the success of others. Comparison is a thief of joy, and everyone walks their own unique path. Success is never linear, and I’ve had to learn to truly trust myself. My industry has become incredibly saturated and sometimes it seems impossible to stand out among the crowd. Social media can be a constant reminder of that, and you have to realize that’s not real life. Boundaries with yourself and with social media is absolutely necessary in my opinion. Focusing on anyone else’s path but yours can start to usher in doubt and blur the authenticity that makes you special. Believe in your vision, stand tall in your truth, and never compare yourself to others.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think some things that have helped me stand out among my peers is the importance I put on the overall client experience. Standards in my industry have been shifting radically over the last decade. People are seeking more personalized and meaningful services to put their hard-earned money toward. I understand that a lot of the services I provide are a luxury, therefore, I always approach every aspect that way. One thing I love doing is going and getting my own hair done or other services where I can have the client experience myself. This helps remind me to put myself in my own client’s shoes and treat them the way I would want to be treated. I think you can lose sight of that when you are the one behind the chair. I pride myself on the peaceful setting I provide for my guests. In my space it’s more about connection and quality….truly building a lasting and trusting relationship than quantity and materialistic goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/CEHJYKW
• Instagram: @c_expressionhairstudio
• Facebook: Chromatic Expression

Image Credits
image credits are mine