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

Hi Alli, thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time, I think I would have started my business, Rooted Hair Shop, at the same time. I started Rooted Hair Shop after accumulating over 18 years of experience as a stylist and colorist in Raleigh. I believe that this experience was crucial in giving me the confidence and skills needed to run my own salon.

When I launched Rooted Hair Shop, I was at a point in my life and career where I felt ready to take on the challenges of owning a business. I had built a strong client base, honed my technical skills, and developed a clear vision for what I wanted my salon to represent. Additionally, becoming a mom has helped me to really frame my priorities and realize how valuable my time truly is. Investing my time and resources into something I can take ownership of has proven to be far more rewarding than working for someone!

Starting cosmetology school in 2006, I set out with the intention to one day open my own salon. This long-term goal has guided all of my career decisions and fueled my passion for the industry. By the time I opened Rooted Hair Shop, I felt prepared and eager to bring my vision to life.

Starting sooner might have meant less experience and fewer connections, which could have made the journey more difficult. On the other hand, starting later might have delayed the fulfillment and growth I’ve experienced since opening the salon. Looking back, I believe the timing was just right for me, allowing me to leverage my experience and passion to create a space that reflects my vision and meets my clients’ needs.

Ultimately, the timing of starting Rooted Hair Shop has been perfect for my personal and professional growth. It has allowed me to embark on this entrepreneurial journey with confidence, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

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.

For those who may not have read about me before, my name is Alli, and I am the proud owner of Rooted Hair Shop. With over 18 years of experience as a stylist and colorist in Raleigh, I have dedicated my career to helping clients look and feel their best.

I got into the cosmetology industry in 2006 when I started cosmetology school with the dream of one day opening my own salon. My journey has been shaped by a passion for creativity, a commitment to continuous learning, and a deep desire to provide exceptional service to my clients. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills and developed a unique approach that combines technical expertise with a personalized touch.

Rooted Hair Shop offers a wide range of services, including haircuts, color treatments, styling, and specialized services such as balayage and texture treatments. We strive to create a welcoming and relaxing environment where clients can enjoy a transformative experience. Our goal is to solve common hair-related problems, from achieving the perfect color to maintaining healthy hair, and to help clients express their individuality through their hairstyles.

Helping folks to feel confident in their style, working with the hair’s natural tendencies, and customizing looks that create a true-to-self feeling; all while maintaining a calm, inclusive, and safe environment; are just some of the ways that we try to support clients on their beauty journey.

I think that this is what sets Rooted Hair Shop apart is our dedication to personalized care and attention to detail. Part of our tagline is “A Collaborative Salon Experience.”I believe in taking the time to understand each client’s needs and preferences, ensuring that every service is tailored to their unique style and lifestyle. My laid-back and straightforward personality helps create a comfortable atmosphere where clients feel at ease and confident in the results.

Of course, I am most proud of the community we’ve built at Rooted Hair Shop. Our clients are more than just customers; they are part of a family. The trust and loyalty they have shown us over the years are incredibly rewarding and motivate me to continually strive for excellence.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn in business is that there is no perfect solution to a problem. Especially in the service realm, where people are the biggest variable. When I first started Rooted Hair Shop, I believed that if I planned meticulously and followed a strict protocol, everything would run smoothly. However, I quickly learned that flexibility and adaptability are just as important as planning.

Having a clear mission statement and staying true to my values and boundaries has been crucial. Yet, I’ve had to remain fluid and flexible through any hiccups or interruptions that inevitably arise. Sometimes product orders are delayed, clients miss appointments, or my kids get sick. These disruptions are part of life, and learning to navigate them gracefully has been a continuous lesson.

One particular instance that stands out is when a major shipment of products was delayed, and I had several clients scheduled for treatments that relied on those products. Instead of panicking, I communicated openly with my clients, offering alternative solutions and rescheduling appointments where necessary. This experience reinforced the importance of flexibility and the value of maintaining open, honest communication with clients.

Remembering that life happens and that not everything will go according to plan has been a big lesson for me. Embracing this reality has allowed me to better manage stress, maintain a positive outlook, and continue providing exceptional service to my clients despite the occasional setback.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner is my husband, Josh Thomas. We met in 2009 and have been married since 2015. Josh owns his own business, LightSource Healing Arts, which he founded in 2017. Watching and supporting him as he made the leap into entrepreneurship solidified my desire to start my own business and showed me that it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. His journey demonstrated that taking risks can lead to great rewards.

Josh has always been my biggest champion, encouraging me to open my own business much sooner than I did. It’s incredibly reassuring to be partnered with someone who believes in you even more than you believe in yourself. His support and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in the success of Rooted Hair Shop!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rootedhairshopraleigh.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedhairshopraleigh?igsh=cHo3c3diM3Bwcm96&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093692675580&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Photos by LeftShot Photography and Amber G Media, both located in Raleigh, NC

Logos and branding completed by Marra Avery-Drayton of Zenith Creative Co.