We were lucky to catch up with Stephie Lane recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stephie, appreciate you joining us today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

Innovative is a word with a few meanings it can be an idea, it can be a new method or technique. In every business innovation is an important part of growth and success. In my business innovative thinking is a big part of my success because despite any challenge that comes up on set or in the salon I do my best to find a solution. As a hair and makeup stylist or HMU for short I am faced with problems popping up and nobody wants to hear excuses when they are trying to make a movie so I have to solve problems fast. The last movie I was filming in a remote location in the mountains of Colorado the supplies I had prepped for were all that I had because the nearest store was about 45 mins away. The stunt doubles show up and it is my job to create continuity between the actor and the stunt double. The double that was cast for one of the principle actors had short hair and the principle actor had long hair which in this scene was styled in a man bun. I don’t know if I am explaining this very well – all I am trying to say is that I don’t make excuses I innovate, I don’t say, “no I can’t” I find a way to make it happen. There I am stuck in the mountains with no store in sight and I have to figure out how to make a man bun for a stunt double. I went to my hair kit and didn’t give up until I found a way to make it work. This is just one of the examples of the pop up problems that happen can happen in my work. I love my job and everyday I am finding new ways to innovate and find solutions.

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

Hello! I am a hair and makeup artist that specializes in clean beauty. In 2006 I got my start in the beauty industry and from the very beginning I have been on a mission to provide loving services and to help empower people to feel gorgeous in their own skin. In 2013 I began Be Love Cosmetics which grew into Be Love Beauty LLC in 2019. I am passionate about healthy hair, clean cosmetics, and making the beauty industry better. I believe every human is beautiful and I believe my services create a ripple effect of love out into the world that helps to heal our planet. Each guest in my chair is an opportunity for me to drop pebbles of love into the global pond that will radiate across our community. The world of beauty can be a maze for some and a necessity for others I am here to help all people find solutions to their hair and beauty pop up problems. I offer salon services in my Salon suite in the park meadows area and I travel all over the country doing HMU for film, tv, and commercials. When I’m not behind the chair on set or in the salon you’ll find me creating handmade crafts to sell in my Etsy shop, doing yoga, or hiking with my family in the wild blue yonder! Connect with me and ask me anything – I love to find an answer!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

There are three things that helped me build my reputation within my market and I learned them all from my Dad. 1. Show up
2. Show up on time
3. Show up on time prepared

It’s a very simple way to show clients, employers, co-workers and colleagues that you care about your craft. People may not say thanks for being on time but they will always remember that you made them feel important and taken care of because of your preparation.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best and most effective way to receive new clients is from glowing referrals. When someone recommends me to a friend or relative it is the best! I always love referrals! The business builds slower, but the clientele I build from referrals creates more brand loyalty and more return visits. I love referrals so much that I give a free haircut to any client that refers me to three of their friends. Contact me to find out more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.belovebeauty.com
• Instagram: @stephiebelove
• Facebook: Be Love Beauty
• Linkedin: Stephie Lane
• Other: @stephiebelove on dobetter.social