We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alissa Telck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alissa below.

Alright, Alissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was stepping into leadership roles before I felt completely ready. At 24 years old, I accepted a head cheerleading coaching position at a high school. I was younger than many people expected a head coach to be, and I knew I would have to earn the trust and respect of athletes, parents, and administrators. There were moments when I questioned whether I had enough experience, but I believed in my ability to lead, learn, and grow. Over the years, that risk paid off. I’ve helped build and grow the program, developed student leaders, and created opportunities for athletes to achieve goals they never thought possible.

A few years later, I took another major risk when I decided to open my own salon business shortly after having my first child. Like many new parents, I was navigating sleepless nights, learning how to care for a baby, and trying to find a new balance in life. Starting a business during that season felt intimidating. There was financial uncertainty, long hours, and no guarantee of success. However, I knew that if I wanted to create a future that offered flexibility for my family while allowing me to pursue my passion, I had to take the leap.

What gave me the confidence to take these risks was the incredible people who came alongside me throughout my journey. In both coaching and business, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who believed in me, challenged me, and shared lessons from their own experiences. Their guidance helped me see opportunities where I might have otherwise seen obstacles. I’ve learned that you don’t have to have all the answers on day one—you just have to be willing to learn, ask questions, and keep moving forward.

It wasn’t always easy. There was a tremendous amount of learning on both sides. As a young coach, I had to learn how to lead effectively, communicate with parents, manage expectations, and build a culture that athletes wanted to be part of. As a new business owner, I had to learn everything from finances and marketing to customer retention and time management while balancing motherhood. There were mistakes, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt, but each challenge became an opportunity to grow and improve.

My husband has also been one of my biggest supporters and motivators. He has consistently encouraged me to dream bigger than I thought possible, step outside of my comfort zone, and take chances on myself. Whenever I’ve doubted my abilities, he’s reminded me that growth comes from being willing to take a leap of faith and trust the process.

Looking back, both coaching and entrepreneurship taught me the same lesson: some of the most rewarding opportunities in life exist on the other side of fear. The risks were scary at the time, but they helped shape who I am today. They taught me resilience, leadership, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who inspire you to keep chasing your goals. Because of those experiences, I’ve learned that success isn’t about never being afraid—it’s about having the courage to move forward anyway. By taking those risks, leaning on mentors, and believing in the support of the people around me, I’ve been able to build a career and life that I’m incredibly proud of.

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.

My name is Alissa Telck, and I wear a few different hats in my life—I’m the owner of Bloom & Beauty Co., a licensed cosmetologist, and the Head Cheerleading Coach at Poudre High School. While those careers may seem very different, they are both rooted in the same passion: helping people build confidence, grow, and become the best version of themselves.

I got into cosmetology because I’ve always loved creativity and connecting with people. What started as a passion for hair quickly became a way to help others feel beautiful, confident, and empowered. Today, at Bloom & Beauty Co., I provide customized hair services in a welcoming environment where clients can relax, feel heard, and leave feeling like the best version of themselves.

My coaching journey began at a young age through my love for cheerleading. Over the years, that passion evolved into a career where I now have the opportunity to mentor and develop student-athletes both on and off the sidelines. Coaching has taught me that success isn’t just about winning—it’s about building confidence, creating opportunities, and helping young people discover what they’re capable of.

One thing I’m incredibly proud of is that I started building both of these careers while raising a family. I opened my business and continued pursuing my coaching goals while navigating motherhood, which came with plenty of challenges and learning experiences. It wasn’t always easy. There were long days, difficult decisions, and a lot of moments where I had to step outside of my comfort zone. Thankfully, I’ve been blessed with incredible mentors throughout both of my careers who have shared their knowledge, encouraged me, and helped me grow. Their guidance gave me the confidence to take risks and dream bigger than I thought possible.

My husband has also been one of my biggest supporters. He has continually encouraged me to take leaps of faith, believe in myself, and chase opportunities even when they felt intimidating. His support has played a huge role in helping me build the life and careers I have today.

What sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the people I serve. Whether someone is sitting in my salon chair or one of my athletes is standing on the practice floor, my goal is the same: to help them feel confident, supported, and capable of achieving more than they thought possible.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me, it’s that success doesn’t require having everything figured out. Growth comes from being willing to learn, staying open to guidance, working hard, and having the courage to take the next step—even when it’s scary. I’m proud of the businesses, programs, and relationships I’ve built, but I’m even more proud of the people I’ve been able to impact along the way.

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

Managing a team, whether it’s a group of student-athletes or a team in a business setting, starts with building trust and creating a shared vision. As both a salon owner and a high school cheer coach, I’ve learned that people perform their best when they feel valued, supported, and understand how their individual contributions impact the bigger picture.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of communication. Clear expectations, consistent feedback, and open conversations help prevent misunderstandings and create accountability. People want to know where they stand and what success looks like.

I’ve also learned that every person is motivated differently. Some people thrive on recognition, others on responsibility, and others simply want to know they are making a difference. Taking the time to understand each individual’s strengths and goals allows you to lead them more effectively.

As a coach, my goal is to help athletes develop confidence, discipline, and leadership skills that will serve them long after high school. As a business owner, my goal is to create an environment where both clients and team members feel welcomed, respected, and cared for. In both roles, I believe leadership is less about being in charge and more about serving others, setting the example, and helping people grow into their full potential.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned about leadership came from mentors who took the time to guide me. Building a successful team is never a one-person job, and the strongest leaders are the ones who continue learning along the way.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that I have to do everything myself.

Early in both my coaching career and my journey as a business owner, I thought being a strong leader meant carrying all the responsibility, solving every problem, and making sure everything was perfect. I felt like asking for help was a sign that I wasn’t capable enough or wasn’t working hard enough.

As I became a head coach, opened my own salon, and eventually became a wife and mother, I quickly realized that approach wasn’t sustainable. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day, and trying to do everything on my own often left me exhausted and prevented others from stepping into leadership roles themselves.

Over the years, I’ve learned that successful teams and businesses are built on trust, collaboration, and delegation. Some of the greatest growth I’ve experienced has come from allowing assistant coaches, mentors, friends, family members, and even my athletes to help carry the load. The same is true in my business. Surrounding myself with supportive people and learning from others has made me a better leader, business owner, and person.

This lesson didn’t happen overnight. It came through years of trial and error, navigating challenges, building my business, growing a cheer program, and balancing it all while raising a family. Looking back, I realize that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about creating an environment where everyone can contribute and succeed together.

Today, I still work hard and hold myself to high standards, but I’ve learned that asking for help, trusting others, and accepting support isn’t a weakness. It’s actually one of the strongest things a leader can do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bloomandbeautybyalissa.square.site/
• Instagram: _bloomandbeautyco_
• Facebook: Bloom and Beauty Co.