We recently connected with Celeste Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Celeste, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I have always marched to the beat of my own slow-as-molasses drum. When I worked in bigger salons I would watch my coworkers run circles around me and, consequently, make much more money than I did. Even though I was giving it my all, I was never going to make good money in a volume-based system. The traditional model of a set haircut price never made sense to me— especially when one person may have loads of hair, and Seven-Hair Sally only has seven hairs. When I started my own business I switched to an hourly rate, and it has been life-changing. Clients that need more time, attention, or consultation are able to have exactly that, and I get paid for the time spent. It has never been about volume for me, but rather the quality of the interaction—and most of all, the quality of my work. My creativity shuts down when I am behind or feeling rushed, and now that I can take the time I need, I no longer feel anxious going into my days. They are curated in a way that gives me time to reset between clients, and I have always needed that as a sensitive, introverted person.

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 have wanted to be a hairstylist since I was little. My sister and I would get matching Dorothy Hamill wedge haircuts from the beauty school when we were kids, and I remember thinking that it looked like the best job in the world. I told a teacher that what I wanted to be when I grew up was whatever job let you wear whatever outfit you wanted everyday. My outward expression through clothing and hair has always been a huge passion of mine, and something I joyfully spend a lot of my creative energy on. I love that I get to create looks for people that align with their version of self-expression for this chapter of their life. I created the seasonal haircut for this reason. It is a slightly longer service where I do a scalp massage with an oil that is appropriate for their hair and our harsh Montana weather, as well as make an herbal hair tea to rinse their hair with before we do the haircut. This extra time adds a layer of self-care for the client, and also gives me the opportunity to ask deeper questions about what they are wanting to do with their hair for the upcoming months ahead, as well as their current life season.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Authenticity. I have been told by almost every boss I’ve ever had that I needed to work faster or more efficiently. I hadn’t yet found a model where I could work in a way that had ease and felt authentic to me. However, my clients have followed me because of how I work. I have a gift of presence that doesn’t work in most settings, but one-on-one is where I really shine—whether that be with clients, friends, or family. I love to listen, and I crave depth in conversation. While this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, those who it is for feel seen, listened to, and cared for in a way that I genuinely like to give. These intentional interactions fill my cup, inspire me, and keep me from feeling depleted or burned out.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth and Instagram. I was fortunate to start my career in the beginning days of Instagram. I loved, and still love, taking photos of my clients as an added creative outlet. It turns out that someone who feels radiant in their fresh haircut is going to inspire others to want the same. I love photographing a person right after they have just seen their haircut without the cape. It can be a vulnerable and sometimes intimate moment that I am honored to get to witness. It’s one of the best and most gratifying feelings in the world to me. Word of mouth has also been a huge source of new clients. It creates an organic connection through the person who made the referral that gives you a sense of familiarity and ease. It is an honor to receive a referral, and it gives the new client confidence knowing they will be well cared for in my chair—whether they’re getting a maintenance haircut or a full-on transformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.parlourlivingston.com
• Instagram: @beauty_operator_

Image Credits

Kristi Reed @windypeakvintage
Isabel Colon @ibby_colon
Mallory Jean @malloryjeanphotos