We recently connected with Britney Viores and have shared our conversation below.
Britney , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I began my journey in the hair industry with a lot of hopes, but also a lot of pressures on my back. I was a single mother, living on welfare and working as a waitress to make ends meet. I was doing everything I could to support myself and my daughter. I had my own apartment, and made sure we were taken care of, but every day the thought lingered in my mind that I wanted more, not just for myself, but the both of us. I’ve always been creative, I’ve done everything from paint, repurpose furniture and even got into doing freelance special effects makeup. I’ve always dabbled with doing hair and had friends or coworkers come to my house and I just really used it as a side hustle that I kept in my back pocket for when money was tight.
The thought of going to school lingered in my mind often, but the day to day hustle of work and parenthood made me believe it was too far out of reach.
It actually took me 3 times to finally finish hair school because of the fear of taking on too much at one time.
I was finally cornered by my best friend’s mother who convinced me to take a step back from my fierce independence, bring my daughter and move into her basement so I could focus on going to school.
I went to school full time, worked full time and was still a full time mom. It was rough. The first day of school I sat on the phone with a friend and cried telling her I couldn’t do it. I would be taking too much time away from my child, I felt selfish and just felt all around overwhelmed. She calmed me down of course and I kept going.
The days got easier and I found myself genuinely falling in love with doing hair. I stayed with my friend’s parents, worked and saved as much money as I could and took several extra classes trying to really hone in on as much information as I could.
I took the blessings I had and tried to multitask as much as possible and multiply them to the best of my abilities to get as much out of the opportunity as I could. Inviting as many people as I could to the school to give me a shot I began advertising on Facebook and Instagram because it was free and literally everyone I knew had access to them.
I graduated with nearly a full clientele. The first salon I started working in I started paying full time booth rent immediately. I was hesitant with the supply costs and the commitment, but I kept going
The clients kept coming and I quit waiting tables literally within a few weeks, and sometimes even found myself working as much as possible in the salon.
When I sat down adding up my figures the following year during tax time, I was in utter disbelief to realize I had made over 6 figures my very first year.
I’ve never cried so much in my life, seeing it all unfold. It was the single most proud moment of my life.
I’ve been through it all. Trauma, anguish, grief. Ive had my character demeaned. I’ve been ghosted, taunted, and mocked, but you know what…. I’ve kept going.
Fast forward to 9 years later, Ive opened my own studio Melon Salon (during a pandemic nonetheless) and it is in a killer location and Ive had the honor of mentoring so many women, sharing my story and encouraging them to chase their own dreams, even some to pursue hair, just as I have. Everyday, I open the doors and walk in that feeling overtakes my being, that feeling of joy and relief. The feeling of arriving finally to the destination.
I hope my legacy is that of courage, dedication and most of all determination. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT.
So to anyone else with big aspirations and dreams….
K E E P G O I N G.
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
I’ve always stayed true to myself. I’m a straight shooter, and a brutally honest person and one thing that I believe has really been something that has set myself and my services apart is that my clients really trust me and my mission in this industry. They genuinely appreciate my tips and tricks as well as professional opinion.
Having someone sit in my chair, especially a new client that tells me “just do whatever you think, I trust you.” Is the BIGGEST compliment I can receive aside from the constant referrals.
My genuine creativity and constant desire to learn and grow has always been a top priority and to be acknowledged and supported by my clients has been my biggest blessing in this journey.
I will never stop taking new clients because I never want to stop growing and learning.
The connections and community are something that inspires me daily.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I’ve tried to maintain a very realistic social media presence. The truth is consistency is key and I strive to maintain that consistency on all fronts when it comes to marketing and even day to day interactions with clients, whether it be via social media or personally. I believe to have a brand that not only does the skill, the “vibe” but the consistency of what you’’re doing and how you’re doing it is what the public wants from service industries across the board. People work hard for their money, I know I do so I want to spend it on reliable sources, just as anyone should.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Word of mouth. I get referrals constantly and I love them! I have become part of so many people’s families over the last 9 years. I’ve become so close with all of my clients and it’s so great because I believe like minded people attract like minded people.
I really try to make my client’s salon experience fun and relaxing.
Most of them don’t get much me time and so I wanted to reflect that in my studio. All of the stylists laugh and cut up, we serve mimosas, and even have karaoke Saturdays which are my favorite. People genuinely love the vibe of our salon, and they tell their friends, who end up being just as cool
as they are, and so the tribe grows and grows!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @britneyviores
- Facebook: Melon Salon
Image Credits
Kat Crews Photography