We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hollie Rill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Hollie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
My mom pushed me into doing a trade school since our high school offered a tech school so when I graduated & got my license I applied to work at the first high end salon in our area. Since it was new they were willing to have me apprentice. After a few months of watching & practicing on my family I was officially on the floor. My first client was so sweet & had a niece in cosmetology school. When I moved to Florida & started out by advertising on social media. Being in a new place knowing no one made it rough but social media was your best friend!
Hollie, 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 got into hair because my mom said she couldn’t afford four kids in college so while hair school was covered in high school through our tech program, I had to pick something there that interested me. It worked out in the end because it was my hidden talent. I use a lot of Redken but love brands like Amika, Pureology & Artego! I do lots of highlights & balayages along with dry cutting. I also specialize in weft extensions. I’m most proud of being a 20 year old with her own business that is unique to me. It’s a retro pop themed studio! I take my time on each client I do & my goal is for YOU to leave happy or one step closer to your hair goals. I think it makes me different because I’m so young doing everything they say not to do. They always said you can’t suite rent with no clientele, it’s not worth it but here I am proving everyone wrong. You have to really want it & work hard for it if you want to succeed in anything you do. There’s no right or wrong way in any career!
How did you build your audience on social media?
Building your book or business is so hard because you have to invest in hopes you’ll get more out of it! I put my business on google & get some appointments from it but ultimately Instagram & Facebook groups have been my besties! Creating creative reels on instagram helps pull in lot of people & get to know you & the vibe you put out. Posting daily with your location & work has helped tremendously. If I had a slow week I’ll post my salon suite or how to curl your hair. Something that draws in people. Story highlights are great for things you want people to easily find about your business. Facebook groups have helped a ton because there’s so many people looking for hairstylists or for advertising in surrounding areas. Also I like facebook ads over instagram ads.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
Being in a salon studio is great for creating a more intimate & therapeutic environment. My clients love the privacy & it creates a more comfortable atmosphere because it’s just me & the client versus a whole salon with blow dryers going off constantly or loud talkers. I put on music of their choice or put something on tv because let’s be real a hair appointment is hours & anything to make it more fun. I do hot towels, little things like shout out my clients hair on my instagram & remember things they tell me. When I left MD my clients gave me gifts because they appreciated everything I did & the honest feedback I gave! Loyalty is hard to find!
Contact Info:
- Website: HTTP://holliewoodhair.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: Http://instagram.com/hollierill
- Facebook: Http://facebook.com/holliewoodhair
- Linkedin: Linktr.ee.com/hollierill