Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sydney Cook. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sydney , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

This is such a loaded question. I think people tend to have a lot of preconceived ideas about business owners because sometimes it looks like we have the freedom to work (or not work) whenever we want. Truthfully, before owning my own business I thought that as well. While that is true in a sense, there’s also never a time where I feel like I’m not working or on call. Every single family trip or vacation quickly becomes a work trip. I often reach for my laptop before even grabbing my keys as I walk out the door no matter where I am going. I’m up before everyone trying to get as much focused time out of the way, and up late at night wrapping things up before the next days wolves are at the door. Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, I feel like I’d certainly be able to be more present with my daughter. But on the other hand, I am building something generational here and I know that putting in the work and dedication now is going to allow me the freedom and flexibility that I’ll want and need in the future.

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

Well for those of you who are new to me and my store, hello! My name is Sydney Cook and I am the owner of Harper & Honey which is a boutique and salon in downtown Ball Ground, Georgia. I’ve been in the beauty industry for over a decade now and I decided to combine my love for hair with my love for fashion when my now five year old daughter was just 3 months old. I always joke and say that 2019 was the year that I had two babies, my daughter and my business!

The year that followed was the hardest year of my life. 2020 was filled with heartbreak, divorce, devastation, and relocation. My daughter and I moved states to be back home with family and I knew that this was the time that God was pushing me towards growth in my own way. When I first opened my boutique online, I thought it would be years (or never) that I got my own storefront. During that hopeless and hard year, I prayed endlessly for God to provide the perfect space for me to have a boutique and salon. In His perfect timing, the most amazing space popped up for rent just moments from my house. We opened our storefront in December 2021 and it has been the most wonderful and challenging experience of my life.

At Harper & Honey, I am very passionate about providing nontoxic hair color services by using a clean color line out of Australia. We are constantly learning new things and prioritize education in order to make our stylists some of the best in the industry. As far as the boutique, who doesn’t love the idea of getting to shop while you get your hair done? We have so much wonderful items in the store that it’s always easy to find something for someone. You’ll find that I tend to lean towards western fashion, with a little bohemian flare. Instead of local markets, I prefer to go out west to shop so our brands and items are unique just like our customers.

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

I think the true most effective strategy in growing a clientele is just being as real as possible. My clients are friends and family at this point and its because I genuinely care about who they are and how they feel when they are in my chair. I’ve learned over the years to be as honest as possible with my clients. If they are asking for something that I don’t think will suit them, then I will be honest and try and work with them to find something that will flatter them more. Once you’ve established your clientele, then your work speaks for itself because people love to tell people about experiences that make them feel good. It isn’t science, you just have to treat people kindly.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Yes it did! I was a full time stylist before having my daughter. When she was born I really felt pulled to stay home with her and be with her as much as possible. We knew that this wouldn’t be an easy choice, and so I decided to open up an online boutique and step away from doing hair in the salon. I was a full time mom, with the business in the background in our guest bedroom. As the big shift in my life came, so did my need for more income. I was determined to not have to go back and work for someone else anymore and after so much patience, prayer and hard work – I was able to bring both to life. It’s crazy to think that had I never moved back home and “started over” that my business would not exist in this sweet little town. We have touched the lives of so many since December 2021 and I can’t imagine my life without it now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopharperandhoney.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shopharperandhoney
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/shopharperandhoney

Image Credits

Erran Photos