We recently connected with Desiree Stevens and have shared our conversation below.

Desiree , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

Corporate America largely rewards productivity based on numbers and income. However, the salon industry is a beautiful outlier in the scheme of important careers in our society. Hairstylists carry a level of creative skill, often based more on intuitive technique than learned objectives. Corporate America is not designed to understand and reward this level of creative and artistic production. Since art cannot support one specific standard of productivity, it is a tricky industry to not only master, but also to analyze and understand. I believe this “grey area” actually gives hairstylists and salon employees an upper-hand in creating a work environment around their own personal needs and beliefs, nurturing each person in which ever direction they prefer to ebb and flow.

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’ve been doing hair for almost 15 years. I started beauty school on a whim and never looked back! Working in the salon industry has not only taught me the value of hard work but also the importance of human connection, most specifically, woman helping woman. I specialize in hair extensions, color and unique styles custom fit for each individual client. I love creating looks that emphasize my client’s natural beauty and make styling at home a breeze! My client’s and I truly enjoy our time together and we help each other become more beautiful from the inside out.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

When the salon was closed during COVID-19 quarantine, I was committed to finding a way to stay connected and support my clients. I created custom hair-color kits and delivered them to my client’s doorstep. This not only kept my client’s hair looking fresh and beautiful, it gave us all a sense of normalcy in an otherwise traumatic time. My business stayed strong because I reassured my clients that I will always be there for them, even when times are tough!

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

My clients and I have a personal connection similar to a close friendship. We truly understand each-other, even without words. It can be hard to ask your stylist for the look you want when you don’t know the proper verbiage. I find my clients and I are always able to achieve their dream hair, even without words. This connection is hard to find, but its what every paying customer deserves when they are investing in a service.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Desireeprostylist

Image Credits
portrait by portraitsbytatiana