We were lucky to catch up with Alli Yoshida recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alli thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

Getting my first client as a hairstylist was a journey filled with hard work, patience, and persistence. I started by assisting for six months, learning the ins and outs of the industry while gradually building my skills. The process involved a lot of trial and error—some days were incredibly rewarding, while others were challenging. To gain experience and confidence, I took on many models as practice, which helped me refine my techniques and get my foot in the door. Through dedication and consistency, I eventually landed my first paying client, and from there, I was able to steadily grow my clientele, turning my passion into a thriving career.

Alli, 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?

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist. I was always the friend or cousin doing everyone’s hair, whether for fun or special events like prom and dance competitions. Growing up in a traditional Japanese household, my mom expected me to follow the typical path of high school, then college, but I had no motivation unless it was for beauty school. I tried community college for a few years but eventually pursued my true passion—cosmetology. After proving myself in school, my mom finally accepted my career choice. I landed my first salon job right before the pandemic, working there for two years before transitioning to a salon specializing in color, balayage, and haircuts, where I truly fell in love with my craft. Now, as an independent hairstylist at Salon Ardor, I help clients overcome issues with damage, color, length, and styling. What sets me apart is my dedication to education—I constantly take classes to refine my skills and turn them into my own unique style of art. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and committed to making every client feel confident while continuing to grow in my career.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media as a takes time, patience, and consistency. Engaging content that showcases my skills, attracts potential clients, and builds trust with my audience. I started by identifying my niche, which was balayages and cuts. I took classes on how to take good photos of my work, understanding lighting, and angles. I started posting consistently, using relevant hashtags, and engaging with your followers through comments, DMs, and stories which helped boost visibility.

For those just starting, find your niche and be patient. Try posting short video reels of not only your work, but the process of your work, a day in your life, etc to make it more creative. Growth takes time, but with dedication, creativity, and engagement, you’ll gradually build a loyal and engaged audience.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been consistently posting on social media, showcasing my work, and engaging with my audience. By using trending hashtags, I increase my visibility and attract potential clients who are searching for hairstylists. Referrals have also played a huge role…happy clients spreading the word about my services bring in new business. Additionally, I put myself out there by offering giveaways and taking on models, which not only helps me practice and refine my skills but also allows more people to experience my work firsthand. This combination of social media presence, word-of-mouth marketing, and strategic promotions has been key to building and expanding my clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yoshidabeauty.com/
• Instagram: @yoshidabeauty
• Other: Google business : Yoshidabeauty

Image Credits

Victoriaperezphoto