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

Shanetra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

The biggest challenge to profitability in my industry is classism. A large group of people believe that people who work in service industries do not deserve a livable wage. I live in Washington, DC, and when the minimum wage hit $17 the cries from the people who, “did it right” were loud and clear. Why should someone who works at McDonalds make as much as a tier 1 help desk employee?
The average consumer is unaware of the skill and knowledge that comes with the cosmetology industry. As a cosmetologist, I wear many hats. I must provide top-tier customer service, know the science of hair, skin, and nails, access the health of the scalp, and become a part-time therapist, mother, sister, and friend. I am often looked down on because it is assumed that I am uneducated, which is why I chose that profession.
If I disclose how much I make the most common reaction is, “You’re not a doctor or lawyer, why do you charge so much?” My favorite is, “I can do that myself.” The complete disregard for my education is what grinds my gears the most. If doing hair was as easy as professionals make it look then everyone would look like supermodels every day.
Until the world sees everyone’s skills as equitable, people in any service industry will always have a fight to just live.

Shanetra, 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 have been an entrepreneur for over six years. I have worked as a licensed cosmetologist for over ten years and I have been a tumbler maker for a little over a year. I grew my business with my family from the ground up. Getting pregnant at 21 years old made me re-evaluate my life and how I wanted to show up in the world. I wanted to make sure I was easily accessible to my son whenever he needed me. That prompted me into working for myself. Working as a cosmetologist allows me to help women look as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside.

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

I am not afraid to say no or I do not have the answer. I always show up consistently for my clients. My clients have grown to trust me and with that they vouch for me when they refer me to other people. I do not have a huge social media presence but my clients keep my books full.

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

When I turned 30 years old I learned its ok if people do not perceive me as nice. I feel it’s better to be kind than to try to manipulate situations so people will say I’m nice. I am respectful to everyone I meet, I am giving and I am loving, but if being nice means letting people walk over me or take advantage of me like they often would, I unsubscribe to that thinking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hcsaccessories.com
• Instagram: HCS Accessories