We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Courtney Palmore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Courtney below.

Courtney, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

After working in sales for over 23 years the most important lesson I learned is there is little self-fulfillment, appreciation, or joy working to make another person’s dream come true. I needed to focus on what fueled my own fire.

I have always been a top sales performer. I successfully managed multiple sales teams, and I have made great income throughout my journey. Yet, despite my many successes I have always felt something was missing. I felt I was just existing to please everyone else but myself. I felt I was just existing and not living. That had to change.

Things finally changed for me about a year ago. One day I was faced with a number of frustrations with a previous employer. I had spent over two years with this particular company, successfully managed multiple branches, and my teams brought in $8.6M in revenue year one, and over $13M in revenue in year two. There are some things I must first put into context. Before I joined that company the territory I took over only brought in $6.4M. However, despite the amazing growth in revenue I was thanked by being given a low bonus after my first year, and a new budget that was so highly exaggerated my second year that there was no way I would have reached it. That was the moment my wife suggested I focus on my art and go back to school to become a barber. My wife understands what my passions are and fully supports me as I’m making a life changing transition.

Courtney, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been an art lover and artist as far back as I can remember. My inspiration and love for art originated with my mother.

When I was about 5 years old I remember seeing a colored picture of Superman that my mother drew and I was blown away! My mother drew a picture of Superman flying through the air. He was in a similar pose to this recent charcoal drawing of Superman that I created. I was only a kid so my perception of how great my mother’s art was may have been a bit exaggerated. However, at the time I remember thinking it looked as if it was a real picture! From that moment on I was hooked, and started drawing wherever I had a chance to do so.

My passion for art is why I chose to be an art major, and attended the Herberger College of Fine Art at Arizona State University. Over the years I have done hundreds of commissioned drawings and paintings. I have also sold art through wine bars and restaurants. Currently, I have one of my favorite paintings, a pallet knife painting of Bob Ross, hanging in a restaurant and bar in Ventura, CA called Rocks & Drams.

Art is my true passion. I am currently building an art series called Legendary Royalty. It will consist of paintings of legendary activists, athletes, actors, artist, etc., which the paintings will all be in black and white, and the subjects will all be wearing crowns. I started the series off by painting the legend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Once the series is complete the goal will then be to put together an art exhibit, and attend preceding art shows throughout Southern California.

Where and how does barbering fit into the equation? Well, aside from hair styling being a form of art itself, I grew a love for cutting hair way back when I was in the seventh grade. I needed a hair cut asked an uncle of mine if he could cut my hair for me, since at the time my family was not very financially sound and my mom couldn’t afford to take me to a barber. I asked this particular uncle because he had hair clippers and I assumed he knew how to cut hair. It turned out to be a grave misjudgment! My uncle only had those clippers so he could shave his head bald, which was ultimately what I had to do after he butchered my hair! He clearly DID NOT know what he was doing!

As my hair started to grow back I took it upon myself to practice fading my own hair. If it didn’t look good I shaved it off and tried again after it would grow back. After just a few tries I felt I had mastered cutting my own hair. Word spread that I was cutting my own hair and soon I found myself cutting the hair of most of my friends and family for years to come. Despite my developed talent for hair cutting I never made it a career, nor did I really give it much thought. About 7 years ago my wife did suggest it in conversation, but I was making really good money at the time working for an environmental company selling their re-refined oil, so I didn’t entertain the thought further. It was not until I was dealing with recent frustrations from a previous employer that my wife once again urged me to go to school and get my barbering license.

It can be scary re-careering. However, it is worth taking the risk to gain more self worth and fulfillment. My wife Jennifer Montoya Palmore, is a very successful hairstylist, who has been doing hair for over 27 years. I have witnessed the last 8 years of her journey and know the freedom, creative expression, and opportunities being a hairstylist can bring me, so with her support I dove right into barbering school head first! I have been fine tuning things I already knew, and learning so much more about the world of a hairstylist!

I will complete my barbering school journey in January of 2025. From there I plan to attend a reputable barbershop or salon, learn what I can from the top hair stylist there, attend as many hair shows and competitions as possible, and build my career towards become a top barber/hairstylist in California.

The ultimate goal is to take my artistic talents and fuse them with creating amazing hair transformations through the styling and color.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

This something I’m actually going through now. I have been working in sales as my main career for about 24 years. Through my journey I have learned a number of skills and had a number of learning experiences that have groomed me into the professional and hardworking individual I am today. However, despite the many success I have achieved and valuable business skills I have obtained, I have often plateaued at the companies I worked for, reaching the highest position they would offer me. I have also experienced being highly qualified for higher roles yet not given them for various reasons stemming from lack of favoritism to racial discrimination.

Through it all I have realized one thing, if I’m to truly feel pleasure and fulfillment in my career I will need to do something meaningful for myself. I needed to do something that will provide me with more of a sense of pride and would help bring joy to others. I realized I needed to be my my own boss and build my art career. Art has been a passion of mine since I was a child. It was time to take the talent I’ve been blessed with to the next level. It was also time to finally take the steps towards something I’ve need doing since I was in the 7th grade, and that is to become a licensed barber.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Much of my business with my art comes from referrals. To assure I can keep them flowing I often follow up with my customers. I keep their contact information, and if provided I notate their birthdays so I can give them annual check ins.

I utilize social media to post messages regarding my search for new clients, or deals on pricing that I’m doing. This always peaks interest. Holidays tend to be my busiest time of year for commissioned work, so I make sure to reconnect and post ads during that time as well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.by.courtney.palmore
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneypalmore