We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ariana Word a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ariana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

This is something I often consider! Running a small salon has brought a unique set of challenges and rewards. There have been moments when I’ve reflected on whether I miss the days of simply showing up to work and focusing on my craft without the added responsibilities of ownership. Those were times when decisions were made by someone else, and I didn’t bear the burden when things didn’t go as planned.

However, there’s a profound sense of achievement and personal growth that I’ve experienced as a business owner. I’ve had the opportunity to learn different aspects of the business that I wouldn’t have encountered as an employee. You would never have to consider them! This continuous personal and professional growth is immensely fulfilling to me, and there’s always more to learn and achieve.

The feeling of being driven by every aspect of the business is a powerful motivator. It pushes me to go beyond my comfort zone, adapt to new challenges, and find innovative solutions. While it can be demanding at times, it also brings a sense of ownership and control over my destiny that I find deeply satisfying.

So, to answer your question, yes, there are moments when I wonder about the simplicity of a regular job, but the craving for achievement, personal growth, and the drive that comes with being a business owner are even more compelling to me. These factors make me genuinely happy with the path I’ve chosen.

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.

Hairdressing has always piqued my interest as a profession, but it wasn’t a viable option for me initially. At 18, I lacked the financial means to attend a trade school. Being a high school dropout limited my credentials, making it challenging to secure many jobs. Pursuing what I truly “wanted” was simply not an option. My primary goals were safety, security, and freedom. This is what I needed most.

To achieve this, I left my hometown and secured a job in automotive welding down south. When I started, I was genuinely excited about the job. It wasn’t glamorous or what I had envisioned for myself, but it provided the security and freedom I craved. The pay was good, and the benefits were excellent. However, after only a few short years, it became clear that I couldn’t sustain this job. At just 21 years old, I would wake up in the morning with my trigger fingers stiffened and stuck closed, having to work them back open. This was a sign that a repetitive motion injury was not only inevitable, but oncoming swiftly.

Faced with this realization, I knew I had to make a change. I decided to empty out my 401k, despite the tax penalties. I know this may make many of you cringe, and I’ll admit I wasn’t exactly saving my money back then. I needed the funds to make my move. I needed the money. My mom had been living in a city just outside of Nashville, and that was as good a place as any to make my new start. This time, I had choices, and cosmetology, which had always lingered in the back of my mind, became a viable option. I enrolled in a local Paul Mitchell school, a decision I now consider one of the best I’ve ever made. This is now my career.

Today, I am the owner of Misfit Concepts, a two-chair salon suite in Nolensville, TN. Salon suites offer many advantages for beauty professionals, including shorter property leases, which reduce the risks of going solo. With 24-hour access to my space, I have the freedom and flexibility to set my own schedule. What excited me most was the opportunity to create a unique brand and identity for my business.

I worked at a commision salon in a trendy area in Nashville for a few years after cosmetology school. This experience significantly shaped how I run my business today. I learned essential practices such as inventory management, productivity tracking, and retail sales. During this time, I honed my skills as both a stylist and a business person, establishing my vision for the future of my career. I identified what worked for me and what I couldn’t accept in a salon setting. I attended in-person and online classes, unknowingly laying the foundation for my first business endeavor.

My primary motivation for making the move to Misfit Concepts was to create a space that aligned with my vision of growth. I didn’t feel that my previous salon could provide that, and its growth culture didn’t resonate with me. *Surprise!*, when you’re new to an industry, you don’t know for certain what you’ll value or which parts of an existing business structure will benefit you. Without prior experience or guidance, you are left to act on your instincts. At my previous salon, the most successful stylists double-booked appointments on 45 minute blocks for every service, relying on underpaid/unavailable junior stylists or their peers for support, and struggled to find time to eat their lunch. Considering that I abandoned my last career for fear of burning out my body, this growth path was never going to be for me.

Misfit Concepts allowed me to create my own path. If you’re looking for a stylist who rushes through appointments to squeeze in extra services, I’m not the right fit for you. In my salon, I schedule services with enough time to provide a personalized experience to my guests. Your processing time will not be for me to shuffle you around and squeak in extra services, it is yours alone. I value the processing time as an opportunity to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments. This approach enables me to consistently deliver high-quality results. And yes, I get to eat my lunch.

I approach my business with the question, “What would delight me if I am a guest?” always in mind. I prioritize offering lush amenities and creating a space that is both functional and inviting, feeling like a home away from home. Sending consultation forms before a guest’s first appointment initiates a conversation about their desired service, streamlining the process and enabling me to create results they’ll love. My goal is to identify my guests’ needs, making their time with me easy, accommodating, and enjoyable.

Above all, I take pride in the culture I’ve created at Misfit Concepts. Even in a small business, a positive culture is crucial. Our tagline, “Come as you are, stay a while,” is a philosophy we embrace. We don’t expect anyone to fit into a mold; we celebrate individuality. As an LGBTQ+ individual, I’ve taken deliberate steps to welcome the community into our space, introducing non-gendered pricing, using inclusive pronouns, and providing a judgment-free, safe environment for personal expression. Misfit Concepts is also a member of the Tennessee Pride Chamber, and we actively participate in community events, such as offering free glitter makeup and hair tinsel at the Nashville Pride Festival. Being able to contribute to the community through my business, making people feel seen, heard, and empowered is incredibly fulfilling.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation has been a result of several key factors, with consistency playing a central role. Consistency, to me, means delivering consistent and outstanding results for my clients time and time again. My clients appreciate knowing that they can rely on me to meet or exceed their expectations.

But consistency goes beyond just delivering results; it also extends to how I show up for my clients in the salon. I show up for my clients the same way, day after day, year after year. From maintaining a professional and welcoming atmosphere to actively listening to my clients’ needs and preferences, I strive to consistently provide a memorable and positive experience during each visit. Like besties, we can just pick right up where we left off.

My active involvement in the industry side of my business is also a priority. I have always desired to share my knowledge and showcase my skills to a broader audience. I have actively participated in hairstylist-focused events and workshops where I’ve had the opportunity to connect with my peers in the beauty industry. Sharing my experiences openly and transparently has helped me to demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning and growth.

Attending classes, both locally and virtually, has been instrumental in honing my craft and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. This commitment to ongoing education reinforces my dedication to providing the best possible service to my clients. Some of my favorite hair stylists in the world work right here in Nashville, I am fortunate to have access to people I can learn from and be inspired by right in my back yard.

Consistently delivering exceptional results, maintaining a strong presence within the industry, and actively seeking opportunities for growth are the ingredients to a good reputation, in my opinion.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Stay true to your brand, and do so authentically. When I consistently provide exceptional service and create a welcoming and professional atmosphere in my salon, my existing clients become my strongest advocates. They often refer their friends, family, and acquaintances to my salon. Personal referrals are incredibly valuable to me because they signify not only a vote of confidence from my clients but also a genuine belief that their loved ones will appreciate the quality of service and the atmosphere I have created.

These referrals not only bring in new customers but also serve as an indicator of the satisfaction of my existing clients. When someone recommends my salon to others, it’s a clear sign that they are happy with their experience and trust me to deliver outstanding results.

Additionally, in today’s digital age, clients often share their experiences online through reviews and social media. These online testimonials serve as a fantastic bridge between my business and potential new customers. Positive reviews not only provide a wonderful compliment but also help build credibility and trust within the community. Potential clients are more likely to choose my salon when they see positive feedback from others who have enjoyed their experience. These word-of-mouth recommendations and online endorsements have been invaluable in expanding my client base and establishing my reputation in the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.misfitconcepts.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misfitconcepts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xMisfitConcepts/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/misfit-concepts-nolensville
• Other: https://www.vagaro.com/misfitconcepts

Image Credits
All images taken by Victoria Rosa of Retrospect Nashville