We recently connected with Carline Dargenson and have shared our conversation below.

Carline , appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

One of the biggest trends I’ve seen in my industry is the acceptance of curly/natural hair. There was a time when if you wanted to be professional and had curly or natural hair, it had to be straight to be acceptable in society.

Now we are seeing more and more acceptance of natural hair. We have more education and information on how to care for it, we see it more, and it’s more acceptable on mainstream TV, and we have a whole series of product lines that cater solely to natural curly women.

I also pivoted my business to cater to natural curly women because there was a demand amongst some of my clients that wanted to transition from silk press to curly sets. I also wanted to teach and educate women that had natural hair that it can stay curly and be healthy. I call it the Hair Love Journey.

Carline , 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 am a second-generation stylist that didn’t see myself in this industry but was very knowledgeable about it because my parents owned a beauty salon and beauty supply store. I wanted to be a fashion designer and artist, but my parents did not support my vision. I went to hair school part-time, so I would be knowledgeable about the business once I inherited it. I fell in love with the craft because I saw it as another art outlet. The hair is the canvas, my shears create the shape, and my color skills as finishing my work of art.

I started as a short hair stylist and quickly changed to natural hair as more of my clientele wanted to try and take a shot at being natural. I loved and encouraged this movement, so I transitioned 80 percent of my clientele to natural. I eventually got into teaching and showing my clients that they can maintain and have a naturally curly look. I worked as an educator for a well-known company teaching other stylists how to use their products.

In the salon, I use clean products, which means no sulfates, parabens, or questionable ingredients.. I love to teach my clients how to care for their hair after their visits and also school them on what products work for their hair and what won’t.

I’ve always been a believer in loving and knowing your true texture first and then you can do whatever you want to it but take care of the foundation first and always. It gives you a certain confidence that no one can take away from you. I believe in finding solutions with my clients to where they will love their hair and be happy with what they see when they look in the mirror.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

There was a time when I left the hair industry full-time and became part-time to work at a 9 to 5 job because they had tuition assistance, and I wanted to finish school. I worked at Verizon for seven years and worked part-time every Saturday at my mother’s salon to maintain my clients.

I took a package, paid my bills for the year, and had to shift my part-time clientele to a full-time clientele. I was a single mom at the time, so I was taking a significant risk. I left no stone unturned as I was building my clientele. I went to funeral homes to see if they needed any hairstylists and tried to find roles in my field from other beauty or hair companies. Prayerfully, my retention rate was high, and I started gaining clientele.
The first salon I worked in close it’s doors without my knowledge with all my supplies and equipment in it ! I was so disappointed. Luckily, I had my mother’s salon to fall back on.

In my career, I have worked at seven different salons, with four out of the seven going out of business and having to find elsewhere to work. Every time I thought it was the end for me, I was blessed to have great clientele that followed and supported me.

The hair industry is not an easy industry especially with all the personalities that you can encounter. Most people are great and there are some that can make your time in a workplace a living hell.

I am thankful and grateful to be where I am and wouldn’t trade my career for anything in the world.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy has systems, such as online booking, reports, and marketing campaigns, to keep your clients in the know.

Also, having integrity with your clients. I am transparent with my clients and always give them top-quality products

Clients want to feel special, pampered, and informed.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.instylhaircare.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/instylhaircare
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/instylhaircare