We recently connected with Abbey Shelton and have shared our conversation below.

Abbey , appreciate you joining 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?

The beauty industry is an industry that I would argue evolves quicker and more frequently than most. Who you are as a stylist/business when you graduate school is no where near the person you become one, three, and even five years down the road. Things are forever changing. Lessons are being learned and mistakes are being made constantly. While the art of hairstyling, coloring, makeup artistry, and special occasion styling is obviously VERY important and crucial to the industry, you quickly learn that entrepreneurship is key and can make or break the success of your business.

I quickly learned in my career that essentially 50% of the reason a client or guest comes to you has nothing to do with a color bowl, hot tool, or makeup brush. It all comes down to client relationships.

I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t had the thoughts of “What if I had a 9-5?”
“What if I made a salary?”
“What if I had paid vacation?”
“What if I had an employer?”

The trials and tribulations that come along with running a business can easily influence thoughts like this, especially when things aren’t always rainbows and butterflies. We are in the industry of people. Working with people, servicing people, making people feel good, making people look good. With that, can come hardship.

Every so often I would find myself wondering what life would be like if there was someone above me to handle the day to day operations, the conflicts, the behind the scenes, etc. What if I was just a number to them? A person on the payroll. To some, that doesn’t sound ideal, but after being the one in charge of every little aspect, sometimes it doesn’t sound like the worst thing in the world- leaving work at work.

Being a business owner doesn’t just mean you book the clients, meet the brides, plan the weddings, and take the fun pictures. Being a business owner in this industry also means you double as the accountant, the social media manager. You stock inventory, you’re in charge of taxes, you are responsible for what life looks like after retirement. It’s all on you. And because of this, your successes and your failures all fall back onto you as well.

That is why this industry specifically is an industry of passion. I could not imagine operating this business/career without it being fueled by passion. Yes, there are hardships like the ones I have been listing. They exist and they are REAL.

But the passion for this business is driven by amazing moments- the clients that become your family, the brides who trust you with their most important day, the smile you give your client with her new confidence you helped create for her, the special moments shared between a mother and daughter on wedding day. You work hard because you know you are the face of your business. You are creating relationships with people all day everyday. Relationships you cherish, with likeminded individuals who know you are not just a corporation- you are a small business, with a family to feed, bills to pay, and a passion to fulfill. Something I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

Abbey , 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?

The only jobs I have ever had since turning 16 have existed inside of beauty salons. I started out at a tanning salon briefly before getting connected with my mom’s hair dresser! There, I worked as the salon receptionist for a rental only salon. It was there that I feel as though I got an “exclusive” secret look into the REAL world of the beauty industry. It was also where I found my passion of the hair and makeup industry. I loved the conversation, the fast paced environment, friendship, the method behind the madness that was the craft of hairdressing. I was every stylists guinea pig, always changing my look and learning along the way. I eventually made my way into a local cosmetology program, but not before freelancing for a new up and coming bridal hair and makeup company. While working to obtain my cosmetology license, two bridal business owners saw a talent in me that I didn’t exactly see in myself just yet- as special occasion hair and makeup was just a hobby at the time. I was able to first shadow, assist and eventually begin working alongside of them making bridesmaids and eventually brides, feel beautiful on their wedding day. Soon after, these two women went on to open a very beautiful and successful (still to this day) hair salon where I began my first apprenticeship upon graduation. I worked my way through the program until finally with the evolution of this industry, social media, etc- I decided it was time to branch out and work for myself. I dedicate a lot of my success in this industry to that salon and those women. Many many lessons were learned during my time there, and I will never take them or that salon for granted and will forever respect them for their time and dedication to their stylists. From there, it was MANY years of trial and error. Learning to navigate self-employment in an career/industry that wasn’t taken seriously by the general public was nothing short of challenging. There were many months of hardship- I even contemplated attending a local university for a business degree when I started thinking of my long term goals and my future. I knew my passion for this craft and my ability to form and keep friendships and connections would help push me to success and I am proud I was able to push past the statistics of “failed hairdressers”. Before long I found out what worked for me and my business, and I was finally growing a loyal and ideal clientele. Bridal inquires were coming in consistently, opportunities were presenting themselves, and things started to fall into place.

I pride myself on not only making my guests look and feel their best after our time together, but ultimately connecting with them on a deeper level. Laughing together, crying together, sharing many special moments. Moments we have collected over the last seven years. My favorite aspect of my businesses aside from the artistry and looks created day after day, is the connections made along the way. Clients become bridesmaids who then become brides. Brides become clients. Hair appointments for college graduation then become wedding week hair appointments, baby shower makeup applications, and everything in between. We grow up together in business and in friendship and it’s beautiful to experience.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

World of social media when it comes to growth in this industry and that is consistency. I urge all new stylists to remain consistent in social media. Consistent in posting, consistent in their brand, their business model, their work, and everything in between. I often mentor new stylists and the number one struggle I hear when it comes to growing their business is within social media. I often advise any new stylist to stay on top of social media trends, do market research, nail down their demographic, and run with it. Determine your ideal clientele and bring them to you. There have been years that are stronger than others where I completely rebrand my social media to fit my goals at that time. In my experience, authenticity is what sets you apart. Being authentic to yourself, and to your brand, is what followers and potential clients want to see. Everyone wants to feel relatable. Your clients want to see YOU, who YOU are, and what YOU have to offer them as their stylist. I would not have the clientele I do today with consistency in my social media.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Social media has been without a doubt my main source of new clients since I began this career in 2015. Every post, every share, every story, every comment, all contribute to the amount of inquiries I receive daily. Obviously, word of mouth is a close second. But if you think about when someone recommends a new tattoo artist, restaurant, whatever it may be, where do you head? Their instagram!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.abbeyfreiartistry.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/abbeyf_artistry
• Facebook: Abbey Frei Artistry

Image Credits
Courtney Lemons Photography Ashley Carrington Photography