We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vivian Hernandez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Vivian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start on the operational side – do you spend more of your time/focus/energy on growing revenue or cutting costs?

And this time and age, whether we like it or not, we are going through a recession. So either that means we buckle down, figure out what is more important. Or we straddle up, get to growing what you already have and make it bloom even more.

In our industry, I tend to see a lot of stylist do things that are trending in the moment for our business. Since I’ve been doing here for over 10 years, the one thing I see cycle back is the basics.

With that being said my suggestion and what I’ve tend to do what has worked for me so far these past few years. Listening to the client what’s going on in their lifestyle? What’s going on outside of work? What’s going on during work or even at their home. People are starting to be a little bit more frugal with money however doesn’t necessarily mean that hair is not a necessity. It is, but now you’re going back to basics with what the client needs or extending their appointment even longer by doing more dimensional color.

I always say, sell the services in between. Especially gals who do have dimensional color you can profit from doing treatments in between such as glazes in a minimal of cost. Now you have the client back into the chair.

Not only that the client will notice the integrity and the color of the hair thriving, so therefore you both get the best of both worlds. The client has a low maintenance color. You still get your profit from that client as well.

Nowadays we have to think more strategy, yes content helps and markets us. For some even more financial freedom, but it’s not for everyone. So you have to grow what you have and blossom your clients. Those who appreciate your business and priority in their life. You should do the same.

Vivian, 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?

With over a decade of doing hair, it is my goal as an Artist to visualize your hair goals while sitting in my chair. Through my career I have gathered and continue to on go education in being able to create unique hairstyles. I have trained among master hairstylist, along with becoming a Balayage educator Sunlights pro.

Being someone in the industry I strive everyday to better my knowledge and to stay humble, I believe that hair is a perfect way of expressing ourselves that has no right to be ignored. I aspire to connect with each and every one of my guest, to help create a unique look and to make you feel the best version of yourself.

I specialize in dimensional color and lived in color. I’ve always loved the look of this color, especially it being more organic on the hair and it’s definitely more customizable for the client. As I always say it, no color is ever the same, especially as as no person as ever the same.

Vivify means to ENLIVEN, brighten, sharpen.

I take bride and being a small business owner and take pride in being a suite owner. It’s not easy work, but I thrive on being a boss and I thrive on goals to really just seeing how far I can push myself. With that being said, I always say take time for yourself. Make sure you’re healthy and make sure you’re well.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

2020

I think we can all say that year indefinitely was a pivot for all of us. I can especially say for the Small Business Owners, such as myself. Never thought I’d see the day the world shut down, literally. No one was prepared for this.

I can speak for myself and be a witness to those who simply got creative. That’s what we do best. I did house calls, from creating Root Touch Up kits, Glaze kits etc… Doing this all while compromising my well being.

Not only that, we then had to face if we were considered Essential. We weren’t now just facing a financial crisis, but now we have to prove our rights to say we are.

Months went on and we were now ESSENTIAL. Then shutting down became not so unusual. This was our norm, within that time period I started to strategize goals for my business. Doing everything I can, creating content, virtual education, you name it. Then I learned everything goes back to basics, so from creating healthy boundaries to prioritizing my work.

4 years down the road, I’m a new mom, a boss women, small business owner and entrepreneur. I guess for me, this showed me what I’m capable of when life can pivot.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

To be honest, I wouldn’t really know what the right answer is. From feedback through the years and in recent, what I’ve noticed most is my Professionalism & Communication. I guess I’m a good listener to say the least. My take on that, I listen to what the client is saying and always translate it in my way for them to understand. Mainly being transparent with each person. Every client has a story to tell whether from life or their hair

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vivifyhairstudios.com
• Instagram: @the.hairstylist.v