Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angie Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Angie, thanks for joining us today. How has Covid changed your business model?

So I’ve been renting a suite and running my business since 2016. The first couple years I worked a second job to stay afloat until I built a clientele. When Covid started we had to close our salon for 8 weeks. We were lucky in the fact that our landlord did not charge us rent while we were unable to work and we had a place to come back to when restrictions were lifted. When we reopened the industry made some big changes. We all stepped up our game on cleaning and sanitation. Salons have always been on the up and up with that, but things went into overdrive. The suite concept also really took off. Clients seemed to feel safer and more comfortable in a one on one setting versus open concept salons with multiple employees. Covid actually made my personal business take off and I built a clientele extremely fast. I had to move to a bigger suite to accommodate more clients and also an apprentice.

Angie, 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?

My name is Angie Miller. I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist since 2009. I’ve been running my business, 9/28 Salon, in a loft/suite since 2016. I think that I was always meant to be in this industry. My mom is a nail artist and has been in salons my entire life. So naturally, I was there as a kid, spinning the chairs, getting my nails done, and watching the other stylists work. I was always amazed with the confidence they had with every snip of the shears. They seemed to be so sure of themselves, fun to talk to, and always in touch with the latest trends in fashion. I couldn’t help but admire them.

One day my best friend suggested I go take a tour of a beauty school, since I enjoyed playing with my friend’s hair and makeup all the time. An hour into that tour and I was signed up for 1500 hours of my life and ready to get started. After doing a roller set on my mannequin on the first day I was hooked. I learned very quickly that “playing with hair” was not going to be as easy as I thought it would be. There’s so much more that goes into doing hair than people realize. The studying of chemistry, biology, anatomy, knowledge of diseases, and business aspects are endless. And all these years later I am still constantly learning new things. Now that I’m more of a seasoned stylist, I’ve also discovered that once you master something, a new trend will emerge. I think that’s what keeps me so engaged. I’m never bored. Every client is a new challenge that I’m determined to deliver on. Lately I’m seeing that some of the hair color and haircut trends are being recycled into “the latest thing”. So, fortunately I’m doing styles, cuts and colors that I’m familiar with.

I spent a few years in full service salons getting as much education as I could. I had to make a abrupt change into men’s cutting for about 6 years after being diagnosed with psoriasis. The chemicals were just too much for my skin. I love being in my suite now so that I can control what I’m using at all times. I choose all of my own products and services I offer, Now I offer haircuts, colors, Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Treatments, and styles. Color and men’s cuts have become my main focus in my salon.

As for my client experience, I try to give them a place to relax. I have a rustic, earthy vibe to my suite. Wood, soft whites and sage greens on the walls. A window for one wall and plants throughout. My clients have told me that it feels very “zen” while in my suite. There’s always hot coffee, cocoa, cold beers, chilled wine, and chocolates for everyone. I offer hot steamed face towels during shampoos for clients that want them. Only high end, professional products and tools are used and everything is immaculately cleaned and sanitized. It is a safe place for my clients to vent after a rough day or talk through problems and a place to celebrate good news and victories. I’ve been with many of my clients for years now, so I’ve heard about babies on the way, losing loved ones, seen them get married or divorced or go off to college. I’ve shaved heads when chemo was going to take their hair anyway. I’ve cried with them and hugged them. And of course laughing til it hurts with them. I’ve had the honor of doing hair for their wedding, prom, homecomings, or important interviews. Getting to be there for them in the biggest moments is something so special and so personally rewarding..This career has been such a wonderful part of my life and I cannot imagine doing anything else.

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

This may sound weird, but the way I wear my hair has gotten me more clients than anything else besides referrals. Literally everywhere I go people compliment my hair and this opens the door for a compliment to them and then talking about their hair. So I will ask questions about what they do with it and everyone has a complaint about their hair. So I build from that.I try not to ever leave the house without my hair styled. But even on days when my hair isn’t looking perfectly polished, people still comment. So I guess some advice from that would be to always look the part. Whatever the job may be. I feel like you can just tell I’m a stylist by looking at me. Looking the part makes people feel confident that you’ll know what you’re doing.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I kind of touched on this, but in 2010 I was diagnosed with severe psoriasis. I worked in a franchise full service salon. It was so hard on me because my skin, nails, and hair were falling off/out rapidly. I worked though horribly inflamed hands and feet for almost 2 years. Finally the meds that are autoimmune suppressants ended up making me very vulnerable to other illnesses. Working in an environment where you’re touching people all day is really risky when your immune system is compromised. So, a couple years into it I thought my cosmetology career was over. I was so sick and just didn’t think I could do it live a happy life anymore. I decided to leave that salon and take some time off. About 2 months into that I was going crazy not working. I hoped that maybe if I stepped away from chemical services I would still be able to do hair, just in a different capacity. I started working in men’s salons. I actually really enjoyed it and improved my skills. I did that for 6 years full time and also started taking some colors at home. Once I could control what I was using my condition improved. Realizing I was working 7 days a week I knew I was ready to rent a chair and start my own business. And then I found a suite and started my business. I still worked part time in men’s salons to supplement my income until I built a solid clientele. But about a year in I was in a suite without a roommate and 6 years in I upgraded to a premium window suite. My guys are still a huge part of my clientele and some of my favorite people to see in my chair. But that’s how that whole journey happened. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.salonlofts.com/angie_miller
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/angiemillerdoesmyhair

Image Credits
Angie Miller