We were lucky to catch up with Carli Reith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carli, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?

I started my salon as the only stylist. I have since expanded to a space in downtown Parkville, Mo. i now have three chairs for stylists and a private room for an esthetician, massage therapist, lash artist etc;

When I first started out, I was terrified I wouldn’t make it, hated putting myself out there to get clients and I wasn’t that confident in my work . I decided if I was going to get this off the ground, I needed to master my skills. My work began to speak for itself, clients are now repeat and my confidence level also grew by taking numerous extended education classes!

I would love to add more goal driven and like minded people to my salon! I currently have a spray tan artist and two wedding makeup/hair girls. I’m a very laid back person and want my team to succeed. The interview process is very straightforward. I believe in transparency and trust.

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 began my cosmetology career in 2011. I went to B.Street College of Hair Design and graduated in 2012, but if I’m being honest, I have always known I wanted to do this. I used to cut my sister and my hair when I was about six years old and my mother would of course be so upset with me because not only would I give us bangs, but it would always be family photo day when I decided to try my craft out!

I since have perfected my bang cutting skills and after I graduated school, I went to work at this salon in southern Johnson County as an apprentice. I met a lot of talented individuals at this salon, but felt like I wasn’t able to reel in my own clients. After a year of being there I felt it was time I start to push myself and find my niche in this industry.

One of my proudest moments was when my husband and I were talking about if I was able to take that leap of going out on my own and building my name up as an individual. I am so glad I took that leap. I feel like if you push yourself, really push yourself. You can accomplish anything. I am constantly doing that and setting new goals for myself and my salon!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I really feel like just getting my name out there and showcasing my work on Instagram helped me a ton. Clients want to see your work before they come to you.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I feel like when I worked at a corporate salon, they wanted me to be fluent in everything. That’s just not me. So I found that if I focused on a few things instead of everything, I could perfect those skills and bring in clients that are searching for those certain techniques and look.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.carlirenesalon.com
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/carli_rene_