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

Alright, Jamie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I am!

I think, sometimes I remember what it’s like to let everyone else worry about the details and all I had to do was show up and do the work, and I have a half a heartbeat of something like nostalgia…but overall, I prefer captaining my own ship. My day to day isn’t repetitive. That lack of routine keeps my energy and focus directed on my work.

Just over six months ago, I was in the salon when I got a call from my mom that she was taking my dad to the ER. The doctors thought he had a stroke, and he needed medical attention IMMEDIATELY. Long story short, my dad was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme within a week of being admitted, and has been in treatment since. Obviously, my whole family (siblings and parents) are going *through* things right now. I’ll admit I sometimes think things would be easier with less to handle in my world. A space where I can just be on autopilot and just do what needs doing and not have to use all my spoons.

But that wouldn’t make anything better, and in fact, it would be much worse overall. My career affords me a serious level of flexibility that ‘regular jobs’ don’t. And, I get to be ME every day at work. I’m in charge of my image and branding and what my space and energy feel like. That is vital to my success and is so rewarding for me. Looking at my clients and seeing them light up when they see their hair? That gives me little happy flutters every time.

Jamie, 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 a previous lifetime, I was a beauty blogger.

After that I owned a CrossFit affiliate and coached strength and conditioning.

Then, my boyfriend joined the army. We had a serious talk about us, and the army, and what that meant…so we got married during a Rangers game while he was home on leave. His career meant we’d move a LOT, so I decided to get my cosmetology license so where ever his field took us, I could have an income that was *mine*.

Hair school says ‘don’t specialize, do everything’. I didn’t listen to that advice. I specialized. I focus on blonde services, color corrections, and vivid // unicorn hair processes. My hope is that my clients find that my space is a place they can relax and be their authentic selves. A place that they can just BE and enjoy what that means.

When I was a coach, I was about authentic connection.

As a hairstylist, I find that authenticity is vital in connecting with the clients I want to attract. “Just be yourself” is such…cliche advice. But honestly? Your vibe attracts your tribe!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

It’s a really collaborative thing, I think. Word of mouth is HUGE in my industry. Personal referrals are just priceless. The salon I rent from also does amazing work to keep all the artists busy. And, honestly, having my cards on hand and giving them to people who compliment my hair has been a big part as well.

Being approachable and engaging while out and about is vital. People ask questions, and I’m happy to answer, because that starts our relationship before we’re even in the salon.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is hard, y’all. It’s supposed to be fun, but the truth is that creating content is a solid part time job. I’m better at it some times than others. Sometimes I just don’t have any spoons left, and other times I use the platform because I have something I want to say.

I think it’s important to make sure your social media attracts the clientele you seek. What do YOU like about the pages you follow? How does that fit into your own presentation? What are you showcasing?

I’ll admit I have a love hate relationship with developing all of this, because as much as it interests me it also feels like a LOT sometimes.

The best advice I have is to keep it real and make sure what you show reflects YOU and what you’re energy brings authentically. The work you do, the experience you provide, etc….it’s got to be authentic because if you bring someone in based on an image that isn’t real, you’re setting everyone up for disappointment.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @babylightsandbalayage
• Facebook: Facebook.com/babylightsandbalayage