We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chrystal Ponds . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chrystal below.
Alright, Chrystal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
I remember being in school struggling. I had 2 kids and a partner I quit my job on a whim and went to cosmetology school. We were missing an income and sacrificed ALOT. We were evicted from our home. Had to move all of us into one bedroom. This wasn’t by accident. It was hard work and sacrifice!
Once I graduated cosmetology school I honestly remember disliking the typical salon environment from the beginning. I think I worked at a salon for 6 months before I went off and rented a salon suite with my best friend. 1 year and a half later we moved into our 1600 square foot studio.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I honestly believe that connection is key, whether it’s clientele or staff the way you make people feel has to be the foundation. That’s what I’ve built my brand off of.
I can’t tell you a specific strategy when it comes to owning a business besides hearing people. Really listening, that’s key. I remember when someone’s mom is sick, or when they’re getting married.
In anything service based and especially as a creative feeling what season someone is in, in their life and helping them express that through my craft I can honestly say is what got me where I am.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I was actually a makeup artist before I fell into hair. (Literally) I worked for MAC for years, freelancing and eventually making it into management and the higher up I got the less I like the corporate environment. I quit on a whim and started freelancing hair and makeup and that’s when I first fell in love with hair.
And actually right now I fell into mentoring. I want to help anyone I can find their passion and show them that hair is a lucrative business. Fun fact is all the stylist working at the salon were assistants under me first. To sit back and watch them become amazing stylist is a super full circle moment.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
Going through COVID a year after we opened our location was TERRIFYING!! We didn’t know how we were going to pay our bills. Our employees couldn’t work, neither could we but the universe, hard work and a lot of prayer we are here!!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.colourwithchrystal.com
- Instagram: Colourinchrystal