We were lucky to catch up with Kristine Choate recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kristine, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
After working for other salon owners within commission salons, I felt it was finally my time to branch out.
My starting point was when I realized I had no control over the environment I was bringing clients into.
I wanted to provide a space where clients AND staff could truly express themselves without fear of judgment.
I began to do the math, get my ducks in a row and figure out exactly everything I needed to do to open my own suite.
I began as a one chair suite, moved to a double suite with another artist and finally decided to open my storefront salon, The VIVID Collective. This was a 3 year process and each stepping stone was so pivotal in the success of my business.
I’ll never forget my clients telling me how much more comfortable they felt in our new space! They felt like they could come in as themselves, not have to be dressed up or all made up.
Creating my own space truly allowed me to provide a warm, enjoyable atmosphere for my clients and now my amazing salon team.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a licensed cosmetologist of 13 years this January!
I started my journey assisting during/after cosmetology school and worked my way through different salons building my clientele.
I really pride myself on my authenticity behind the chair and I believe this has truly helped me grow my clientele. I have developed such amazing connections with some clients over the years!
I eventually became a specialist in vivid haircolor and blonding, allowing me to really branch out in the industry and find my way into the educational aspect of things.
I now educate other hair stylists on the art of haircolor along with offering individual coaching related to businesses just like mine. I love to help others grow in their career!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
When I first began in this industry, we had to physically pass our business cards or flyers to people. I would often walk around the mall handing these out. Now, times have truly changed and I have found so much success through social media!
Ever since the earlier years, (think 2014ish), I was posting my work on Facebook and instagram. If there was a new platform, I’d hop on it.
This helped me build my clientele SO much!
Nowadays, social media can both be a blessing and a curse but our salon still finds all of our clients through our posts or running Google ads.
Any advice for managing a team?
While you must take the needs of the business into account, you must also take the needs of your staff into account.
It took a few years of building my team but we finally have a great group of artists working with us and I try my best to encourage a balance between work and home life.
We are very passionate about what we do but I also understand that life can get in the way sometimes. Really, the key is to treat your team like the real humans they are. Encourage them, motivate them but with kindness and respect.
I spent too many years feeling intimidated by previous employers, so I think I have taken a lot of my personal experiences and based my management style off of this and it has definitely paid off as far as morale goes!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thevividcollective.com/kristine
- Instagram: PaintitVivid
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B9H4evXrq/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/jenabphotography?igsh=MXdjaDdiZDNyM3hpdw==