Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cori Mccann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cori, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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.

Working in the beauty industry has its own set of standards. Often times as a stylist you are taught to focus on maximizing your services for more profit. You are also taught to heavily focus on capitalistic growth (and even told to upsell services your clients might not even need to make money!). These are all standards I heavily deviate from.

Financially, I decided to switch my pricing from services to hourly rates. This has given both me and my clients a predictable financial budget as well as the opportunity to be more present with my appointments. I can spend my time focusing on client needs within that time frame, rather than fitting a result into a preset service.

A personal standard I diverge from is the focus on growth through numbers. I would rather foster an environment for both myself and my clients that creates personal value. I LOVE my clientele. Coming to work everyday has become such a joy, whereas in the past it has felt like a chore. One thing I try to focus on is giving back to the community that has helped support me and grow my business. I offer free haircuts for those in the process of transitioning, and I try to fit in gifts and discounts where I can for my clients. My business has never been about hitting a certain annual income, it has always been about fostering a space of support, acceptance, and feeling beautiful inside and out.

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?

Growing up I was always doing friends hair for dances or watching makeup videos. I have always really loved the art of both hair and makeup. I loved the energy of being in a salon, but never thought of it as a career option until later in high school. I always struggled academically, and after one year in college I decided to leave the world of academia and pursue Cosmetology. For the first time in my educational life I was GOOD at something. I won awards in school and everything clicked in a way nothing ever had for me before. I loved the duality of chemistry, color theory, sculpting, and business mindset. I never turned back and have been a stylist for over 12 years.

I spent two years longer than most assisting different stylists and salons, and I truly believe that exposure set me up for success in my career. Every stylist has a different approach to all facets of the industry. Dynamic with clients, color/cuts, formulating, etc. I knew I didn’t want to just be a hairdresser. I wanted to hone a craft and build a business while also fostering an environment I saw missing in the beauty industry. One that has no judgement, embraces the friendship that is often built between clients and stylists behind the chair, and listens to what the client wants (which as a stylists, isn’t always what you want… that is a humbling and delicate balance that is often missing in the industry).

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

When I was assisting in Beverly Hills there was a salon owner that said “If you’re a stylist in the middle of nowhere that is not impressive. If you own a salon, that’s impressive. If you are working at a high end salon, that’s impressive. Stylists are a dime a dozen, if you aren’t the best, then what’s the point?”

I have had the opportunity to work on movie sets, television sets, with celebrities, and work with some of the most celebrated stylists of our time. I had a choice in the very beginning of my career to either work for CBS studios and start the journey of being a highly regarded stylist within the industry, or to work behind the chair in a salon in an unheard of suburb outside of LA. I chose to work behind the chair and that was the moment I learned not to be “impressive” in the eyes of those in the industry, but to be important in the lives of those that mean more to the world than a title or film credit. I have been the person that holds the hand of someone going through cancer as they buzz their hair off. I have been the listening ear and the source of advice for people going through miscarriages, health complications, family issues, and so much more. An unheard of stylist like me gives so more to the world and the people in it than that owner ever could.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Showing up, listening, and following through. It truly is that simple! Almost every new client I have had could fit into one of those categories. I often hear stories of stylist promising a result and ending up with severe damage, a client asking for one thing but ending up with something different because the stylist wanted it that way, or clients being canceled on or ignored… the stories are endless. At the end of the day we all want consistency, honesty, and reliability. You can be the best hairstylist but no one will come to you if you give them something they don’t want, if you don’t respect their time, or are unwilling to admit to mistakes and rectify them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lunaloftsalon.com
• Instagram: @_hairbycori_
• Yelp: Luna Loft Salon