We recently connected with Jacqueline Inman-Wise and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqueline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

Much like many other industries, inflation hit the beauty/hair industry hard. We’ve seen an upwards of 30% increase in the cost of supplies over the last couple years, which makes profitability even more complicated than before. There’s a fine line between what some view as unnecessary price increases and price increases that are necessary to not only continue offering quality services to your clientele but also allowing you to still make money at the end of the day. For me, maintaining the quality of work I produce has always been my top priority, so shopping around for different brands that maintain that quality but are more cost efficient on the back end have been the easiest solution.

Jacqueline, 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’m a self employed hairstylist who specializes in blonding and creative color. I really pride myself on my attention to detail and dedication to educating my clients on what is or isn’t realistic when it comes to their expectations. From brand education to fashion week styling, I’ve found I’m happiest behind the chair helping clients reach their hair goals. I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m not afraid to admit when I’m not comfortable/confident in performing a particular service. I’m not perfect, nor a know it all in this industry, therefore if a client wants a particular haircut or chemical service I’m not 100% confident I can execute I will always refer those clients out to someone who can. At the end of the day client satisfaction is what means the most.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’ve always said consistency is the key to success for any business, in any industry. When I first started building my clientele in Charleston I was taking any client that walked in the door. As time went on and I found my niche, I started zeroing in on those particular skills, expanding them with continued education, working long hours to practice my craft, and going above and beyond to not only meet my clients’ expectations, but also my own. I’ve never been afraid to admit when those expectations haven’t been met, and am always eager to do whatever is necessary to correct it. I’m very aware that my business wouldn’t exist without the trust and support of my clientele, so I do everything in my power to keep them happy by consistently providing a top tier experience for them.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Word of mouth will always be the gold standard, but social media is a close second. There was a time when 99% of new clients reaching out to me found me via social media, more specifically Instagram. I think the ability to essentially scroll through someone’s portfolio to determine your interest without ever having to interact with that provider has been instrumental in many industries, especially the beauty industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Vagaro.com/jackieinmanhair
• Instagram: @jackieinmanhair