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

Alright, Asia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

The beauty industry has taken a turn for the worst over the last few years. Social media especially, has allowed many opinions to be voiced when it comes to our careers which has created a shift as fas as the standard. Speaking for myself and my brand, i continue to stay true to core values and the overall customer experience. What i do differently is keep the client involved in what I’m doing during their service, that creates trust. We consult and discuss hair goals so that we know what to work towards collectively. I am also very punctual. I show up on time for my clients always, my chair is always open for them to be seated at their time of service. I never double book or overbook. I believe every client deserves their one on one time with me without the presence of another client. My client experience entails that I’ll always have my client in and out and on time to service my next client. Time management is so important for us both! Another plus is I don’t cancel on my clients unless its a medical emergency and thank God nothing has happened for me to need to cancel. Although things can happen to us too, i know how important it is to make your hair appointment. One last thing to add and its a BIG one in the beauty industry…I AM FULL SERVICE! With that being said, i shampoo ALL clients! I do everything from start to finish with my services and provide all supplies. Things have changed big time, but not with my brand, its an elite experience!

Asia, 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?

I’m 34 and I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist and instructor going on 14 years. I’ve been blessed to have a passion for helping women look and feel better, its truly rewarding. I got into my industry right after high school and got licensed. While trying to build a clientele, i worked a job as well which was hard and took a lot of discipline and time. As things picked up and i stared making more money doing hair, I decided to take leap of faith and quit my job to do hair full time. I haven’t worked a job since and it has truly been a blessing! In my career, i get to be a problem solver and uncover the needs and wants of every client. My customer experience is what has set me apart from my peers in this field and that is what keeps me booked. I am most proud of how far I’ve come through many trials and challenges that I’ve faced over the years and one being relocating from Ohio to Texas and starting all over; because of my knowledge and social media presence i was able to build a full clientele here in Houston in just 6 months and i am still growing!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to pivot in business and in life in 2023 when i decided to move me and my kids from Ohio to Texas. That was sin deed the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I truly believe that when God tells you to move, you move and he told me loud and clear. Being born and raised in Akron Ohio made me who i am today and was where i planted my seed as a cosmetologist. As time went on it was time to me to make a physical pivot, as i had reached the ceiling in Ohio. If i would have stayed, i would have become burnt out and headed towards retirement and I wasn’t ready to do so yet. Moving to Houston summer of 2023 was one of the best decisions of my life! It was no easy switch but I’m glad i made the sacrifice. Moving here allowed me to showcase my talent here and stand out …and i did. Although I’m an introvert, meeting new people has been exciting and they are always looking to hear how i got here. Well, lets just say, I’ll probably never do a big move like that again so Texas, I’m here to stay!

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

I had a full service salon in Akron Ohio that i bought in 2020 during covid. Although i said I didn’t ever want to own and run a salon, the opportunity fell in my lap and i took it. Fast forward to 2023 when i decided to move, i made the decision to keep the salon open and running so the women that worked there wouldn’t have to find a new place to work. Well, that went on for about a year and then i decided i wanted to sell it. Running a salon far distance was hard and quite the headache. Once i left, the integrity of my salon took a fall and i didn’t want that on my name moving forward. April 2024 i sold my salon to a stylist that worked at my salon. I sold it fully furnished and fully staffed so that she didn’t have to start from 0. I chose to be a blessing, it wasn’t about the money for me.
My advice to anyone looking to sell their business one day, do not short yourself on costs. Fully charge what your investment is worth and be sure to sell it to a highly qualified person to take the role so that the process is smooth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.theehairdoc.com
• Instagram: Thee.hairdoc
• Other: TikTok: theehairdoc

Image Credits

N/A they are all my images