We recently connected with Marcie Straight and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to leave an impact on people who sit in my chair. I want people who come into my salon to feel like the next few hours is all about them. No one is asking them to do anything or be anywhere. My salon is a space where we make it all about you. Just telling someone they’re beautiful can make their entire day or even their week!

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

I attended a vocational school for my junior and senior year in high school. This is when I completed my high school education, as well as completing my cosmetology certification. I got into the beauty and hair industry simply because I wanted to do hair while going to college at Antioch University and travel abroad. My plans changed quickly when I became a mother at 17 years old.

After my daughter was born life looked different for me than other kids my age. But I made the best of it. I knew I wanted the best for her, and would make sure she had just that. I worked in several salons before settling for a 9-5 desk job because I needed the stability for my daughter. However I would always do hair part time or on the side. Doing hair has always been a part of my story.

In fact I had been behind the chair for 13 years before I decided to go to a booth rental salon where I could make my own hours and charge my own prices. It was when I realized I was missing so much valuable time with my family and loved ones, that I had to make a change. The support I had from my husband pushed me to go out on my own. The freedom was incredible. I knew almost instantly I was never going back to a chain salon where I was paid an hourly wage and couldn’t choose anything about my work.

I eventually decided not long after going booth rental that I wanted my own salon. I searched for another salon that offered everything I was looking for and found nothing. I knew then I wanted the control of how the salon looked, felt, and the energy the salon welcomed. I wanted to build a space where everyone felt welcomed and appreciated.

I think what sets me apart from other salon owners and stylists is that I am consistent with my work and the way that I care. I truly care about what my client wants for their hair and I also care if they got the job or the new house they were telling me about the last time I saw them. I’m like their cheerleader always in their corner rooting them on in life!

Have you ever had to pivot?

A time in my career I had to pivot was the pandemic. I had started in a booth rental salon in June of 2020. Before that I had been apart of a chain salon for several years so I had a lot to learn. I wasn’t 6 months into this new salon and I was struggling. I wasn’t making the money I wanted to make, and couldn’t figure out why. After a lot of thought and support from the dear friends at this salon, I decided to stay and push through. When you make the decision that your success and your failure is fully your responsibility, you start to move different in the things you have control of. It was my fault I wasn’t making the money I wanted to make. So I made myself more available for clients. I raised my prices ever so slightly- but still I started to make more money when I realized it was all on me. I could do whatever I wanted.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I have managed one team of 12 stylists and my team now at my salon which consists of 3 stylists. So one thing I’ve learned in leadership is to always take responsibility. If someone isn’t trained properly, that’s on you if the salon is an unorganized mess and people complain and have a negative attitude when they are working, that’s a reflection of what you’ve allowed and bar you’ve set for your team. It’s so important to not only tell your team what’s expected of them, but to show them. Be the example day in and day out. When you come in with a positive attitude, happy to see clients and grateful they showed for you that day, the whole vibe changes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://smhaircobooking.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplymodernhairco?igsh=MWE1Mmh6ZGdscjh2Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hair_mama?_t=ZP-8z26HJ3GZX4&_r=1

Image Credits

Stroud Photography