We were lucky to catch up with Andi Schieszler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

I have so many I can choose from but the one which stands out to me is the most recent. As a general rule being a salon owner and stylist I absolutely got into this business to help people. So recently I had a wonderful woman message about dematting her hair. She is a caretaker for her disabled children and just lost herself in the process. Hair is just such a powerful thing as it’s a way people express themselves and her solution was to cut it off because she thought it was unsalvageable. Instead I decided that morning regardless of what she could afford we were going to help her and save her hair. I truly believe everyone needs help at times so me and another one of my stylists, Haley, spent 9 hours combined combing out the matting. Seeing her run her hands through her hair and feeling like herself was absolutely worth it. Every single person deserves patience and compassion and help. Situations like this really aren’t a reflection of the client but of the circumstances they were thrown and life itself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I actually kinda fell into the hair world. Initially I started as a makeup artist in LA and while I do still adore makeup and do makeup jobs I was missing the personal connections that form. I decided to go to cosmetology school and my life was decided there. I love meeting people, learning from them, listening and being the safe space away from whatever is happening in their lives.

I took over Alchemy Collective Hair Lab in 2023 and made a vow for the salon to be a safe space for everyone. We are located in Orange County and I wanted to create a space for people who felt excluded or left out – a space where people can feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgement or cruelty.

The team of stylists I’ve built all have the same goals and kindness. I never wanted to grow fast I wanted everything to be organic. Money is important; however, I think culture is a higher priority. I just want everyone to be genuinely happy at our salon and be able to relax both physically and mentally.

We provide high end services for anyone who wants the most low maintenance natural hair through crazy wild edgy styles and color. We are a place of creativity and a true collaboration through all of our stylists and clients.

Alchemy Collective Hair Lab is a place of comfort, kindness and creativity. I have strived to make sure no one feels left behind and everyone can feel safe.

Any advice for managing a team?

Be genuine and listen. That is the biggest thing. Your team is an extension of you. Trying to hire quickly just to expand isn’t worth it.

I always try to check in with all of my people and listen to them, I want to know their goals, listen to their complaints and see how they feel both personally and professionally. As a salon we spend so much time together. I want everyone to truly enjoy their time at work.

I do know I mess up at times and while I do my best to be the best for them, I have absolutely no qualms about being told I messed up so I can try something else that works. I may own the salon, my name may be on my lease but it’s not just my space. I want everyone to have input. We are called a collective which means we all worth together.

As an owner/ manager it is our job to do right by our team be it by doing really good things or building trust so they can speak up when things need to change.

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

I think this is similar to maintaining team morale. So many clients have had bad experiences in the past, it’s up to us to build trust with them. I make sure both my team and I put a heavy emphasis on a thorough consultation. We are altering someone’s body. I want to make sure we understand exactly what a client wants and they understand everything: the cost, how to maintain it, what is realistic and possible and what the outcome will look like.

I wish every single thing was possible for every client, however that isn’t realistic. I never want to make false promises. One of the things I learned early on is to under promise and over deliver. I always want to exceed every expectation.

Having a very clear collaboration between me and my clients means they feel safe and comfortable and want to recommend us and bring other people in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.alchemycollectivehairlab.com
• Instagram: @alchemycollectivehairlab
• Yelp: Alchemy Collective Hair Lab
• Other: Vagaro: @alchemycollectivehairlab