We recently connected with Ashleigh Wilson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashleigh, thanks for joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
No thank you for asking me to share my story. I love how you guys showcase small businesses. In high school I started doing hair for friends and family members. My sister and I would collect hair magazines, and design our own hair salons. I went to cosmetology school in 2007 and I received my cosmetology license in August of 2009, After school it was hard for me to decide what kind of hair salon I wanted to work in.
I went to JCPenny Salon at Citadel Mall in August 09. I was very nervous about it being my first stylist job fresh out of school but they offered education and training which excited me. My time at JCPenny didn’t last long, I stayed there roughly 3 months and I pretty much re-evaluated by career choice at that time. I was just nervous and started to feel I wasn’t ready to be in the salon full time.
When I got back into the beauty world I went to Famous Hair and I worked in various locations throughout the years. I had a good experience with them but I realized quickly I needed more. I decided in 2015 to leave and take a position at Ulta Beauty. Ulta taught me the business and gave me a lot of continued education. I learned everything I could from the company and my stylist friends I worked beside. I remained at Ulta for 4 years and after building my clientele I knew it was time for me to go out on my own.
April 2019 is when I moved to my own studio and created “IAmChic”. Almost 10 years to the date of me graduating cosmetology school. Throughout my journey being in different salons I knew what I wanted and didn’t want for my business. I wasn’t completely ready to make the leap when I did but I knew if I stayed comfortable I never would. I was ready to make my childhood vision come true.
In order for me to get to where I am now every step has been key to my growth. I started asking for help more so I didn’t have as much pressure on myself. I had to start having more structure in my daily routine and my work schedule. It’s easy to find yourself overworked being self employed. Get a great support system that’ll help you along the way better than anything.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Ashleigh De’Angela Wilson. I am a salon suite owner and educator. I’ve been self employed for three and a half years doing what I absolutely love!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients have mainly come from my existing clients. My clients will refer friends and family so much that I have never had to advertise. This year I made a google business page and an Instagram page (go follow and like : ) ) and I have started gaining new clients from both.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Something I’ve had to unlearn is the way I, like most stylists have been conditioned to work. It used to be praised that if you had numerous clients a day, work long shifts and 5 to 6 days a week that made you successful. It takes a lot of change and effort to stop myself from working like that. I now work shorter days, take more days off and I’m more successful than I was when I was over working myself. Making my schedule work for me. It allows me to have a better work life balance. One of the best lessons I could have learned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://
ashleighwilson.glossgenius. com/ - Instagram: IAmChicStudio
Image Credits
The photo of me doing hair was taken by https://instagram.com/