We were lucky to catch up with Melisa Garrison recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melisa , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

At this stage, I can’t even imagine working for someone else (and I’ve tried somewhat recently.) I was somewhat overworked and a little burned out with the daily stresses of running a 13 person salon by myself. Our building was falling apart and I was like “well, we have to move anyway; might as well give working for someone else a go.” It turns out that not everyone runs a “we want everyone to succeed” business as much as I like to. There were girls crying in break rooms because they couldn’t pay their car payments, people working 40 hours a week bringing in under minimum wage; and upfront taxation of cash tips rather than claiming at the end of the year with your standard deductions. Getting tips can make the difference in paying your electric bill, feeding your kids, or having gas to drive to work the next day. Myself and another stylist lasted 7 weeks before we had blown through our savings and had just enough left to open another location. We are SO much happier and love to spread the happiness to the others that we share a space with every day. Safe to say; no more tears. It’s beautiful and we are free to create art without stresses. If you have a dream to create something, never be afraid I to take those first steps. Thank yourself later.

Melisa , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I like to create a super comfy environment for my clients. We joke, we laugh, and we make beautiful hair. I specialize in rainbows and anything blonde. We appreciate the weird and bold as well as the blended and reserved. I’m an educator at heart and work with a few companies to give back my knowledge to the world. In short; I love my clients and love my job.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

So I’ve never taken out a business loan. Every time I’ve opened a salon or upgraded a salon, it has always come out of my own pocket. I believe in believing in yourself. I’ve done most of the renovations, flooring and painting myself. 11 years and 6 salons in, I’m basically a pro at this point. Haha. I saved 6000 for my first salon. It was small but it was mine and I’ve only grown from there. I’ve built a lot of things and worked my butt off to get where I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I use social media to expand my brand. I post what I like to do most and my clients find me there. Because I do a lot of rainbow hair, it’s eyecatching; and when potential clients see a fellow unicorn; they usually ask the client who did it. Word of mouth is amazing.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Facebook.com/craft.hair.cookeville
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/thathairrules
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/craft.hair.cookeville