We recently connected with Dana Zigler and have shared our conversation below.

Dana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Zigler Hair Designs is definitely classified as a mission driven company. Driven by the simplicity of uplifting and strengthening the beauty in everyone. We are all so different- and that is what makes us beautiful!

The mission is to empower each individual by strengthening one’s confidence to overcome whatever life throws our way.

Dana, 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?

In 2003, I walked into the top hairdressing academy Arizona had to offer. I wanted to be one of the best so I decided to learn from the best. After graduating and receiving my license February of 2004, I worked for several salons. You name it, I worked there. Salon & Day Spas, small chains, corporate big chains….. it was really hard to find a salon home that I felt comfortable with and could call home. The atmosphere in a work space is very important to the employer and the people who frequent the space. I felt defeated because each space that I went to work in put me into a negative headspace and my clients never felt relaxed and refreshed. They just felt like a number.
That was a BIG problem. I knew that I needed to create my own space. However, starting any business takes time and money.

After 16 years, in February 2020, Zigler Hair Designs took off as a private salon suite. However, just 2 months later due to the coronavirus pandemic Zigler Hair Designs was forced closed. Unlike some larger businesses that were able to get financial assistance to wait out the closure, Zigler Hair Designs was so new it didn’t qualify for any assistance. Thankfully, the salon was able to stay afloat by the savings account established.

After the salon was allowed to reopen, the opportunity for the salon to expand opened up. With little to no money I leapt at the opportunity. The thought of reaching and loving on more people was a “no brainer” for me.

With more space, the opportunity to mentor young stylists also opened up. Empowering other hairstylists with the skills and confidence to succeed successfully is a big part of the salon. Being a stylist who can support other stylists in the craft that we love is a true blessing. Supporting them also helps ensure that more people get amazing services and love their hair every time. Clients that feel and look amazing are so confident and beautiful- they are ready to take on the world!

The heart of Zigler Hair Designs is in the people who come through the doors- stylists and clients. They truly become family.

Through the power of “hairapy” and listening intently to the needs of our guests, we help uplift each individual to be confidently themselves. That is beautiful.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth is the best source of new clients. People who refer friends and family are the best way to get quality repeat clients. When clients love you they want the best for you. They then send you the people that mean the most to them because they know you will in turn love them, and take excellent care of them.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The beauty industry is always booming. It brings in a lot of revenue and with that the pressures to always do more to make more is constantly looming. In the midst of that, larger companies can forget that their guests are not just a number. In the hustle and bustle of the industry, I had to unlearn some of the pressured tactics from previous employers. From overbooking, to adding on unnecessary services, and not fully listening to what a client wants and needs was a common occurrence when working at commission based salons.

I remember countless times being pressured by managers to make more in sales regardless of how your day was scheduled out. Then, at the end of the day when turning in a sales report being belittled and yelled at for not over exceeding your daily sales totals. No employee should ever feel not good enough because of not being able to add on services above their regular work day. The pressure of not exceeding does spill out negatively into the work environment.

There is a fine line in challenging one’s self and not being challenged enough. Any business approach needs to be well thought out and executed thoughtfully.

I would encourage all salon owners and stylists to take a step back approach and remember how happier a workplace was when it was simpler and calmer. I call it the “mom and pop approach”. Everyone was less stressed, felt valued, and high customer service ratings was a common goal. Let’s bring back love into the workplace.

Contact Info:

• Website: ZiglerHairDesigns.com
• Instagram: @zigler_hair_designs
• Facebook: Zigler Hair Designs