We recently connected with Jenny Duncan and have shared our conversation below.

Jenny, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I’ve been doing professional hair for about 8.5 years and I love being able to create looks that elevate a persons confidence. For some time though I felt like something was missing in my career and in my personal life that could not figure out for the longest time. I would go to work and people would be overjoyed with their service but I would still feel stagnant. I was so happy for them but always found something I could’ve done better or wished I used a different formula for a different outcome (even though most of the time it would come out exactly how my client ask for their hair.) Then I relocated across the country….. that’s when everything changed. My new clients were pretty cool but I was having a hard time fitting into my new salon. Let say my co workers weren’t exactly welcoming my first month but had to get over it after they realized I was there to make my new clientele not steal theirs. Getting adjusted I still felt empty inside even though I was doing what I loved the most, making people happy and feel confident. Then the bad day happened and it changed everything. I was having a rough week at work, everyone was in a negative mood and it was affecting me to a level that made me not want to go to work anymore. I sat in my jeep and cried thinking about what I might have to deal with that day and I asked the universe for a sign to tell me if I’m in the right place. I got my answer. I went into work hopeful but then my very first client was Karen. That was her real name. She walked up to the counter and I said hi miss Karen I will be with you in one moment she immediately flipped out telling me not to call her that and I apologized and said okay Karen just give me a moment while I get towels and a cape. The consultation was pointless, this women didn’t listen to a word i said she just grunted and complained. After repeating to her that I am a color and curl specialist we finally started the service. During the haircut she ripped my comb out of my hand and said let me show you, this is how they do it on YouTube. I told her I’m a professional hairstylist not a YouTube hairstylist but I would do it however she wanted to make her comfortable. So that’s what I did and she seemed fine with the results. After handing her the ticket to pay I ran to my jeep to breathe before I screamed and quit from trying to deal with this miserable women for hours. The worst part was she told me she worked at the store next door so I’d have to encounter her again at some point. I then new I needed to do something, this wasn’t for me anymore. I looked up videos on opening businesses, stock market, anything to get me out of salons. And then it happened, I saw a video on e-commerce and it allowed me an opportunity that everything else didn’t. I could sell products I loved to people who needed style help and help give them confidence through what they wear. So I started rebel555.com and although we have only been open for a short time, I see it’s potential and already have people interested in what it’s going to do for them. I know an online store is risky but I’m glad I’m taking the chance because staying in a toxic environment is never the answer. I’m hoping in a years time to make some real changes and start growing my business even more. I say if you don’t try you’ll never know what could be so why not give it a go. Be bold, be true, be uniquely you!

Jenny, 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?

So I got into the industry in a weird way. I just had my second spinal surgery and was trying to figure out what to do with my life since I couldn’t go back to my old job. I felt stuck and alone even though I had my husband (boyfriend at the time) family and friends. Not being able to leave my bed or house gave me a lot of time to think. As I was laying in bed I cried a lot because I felt like a burden to everyone around me and questioned my existence. But I knew I needed to be here. Then one night I got an email from Paul Mitchell hair school so I set up a walk through months down the road when I knew I would be better. I had been doing hair for fun since I was 13 yr and figured I’d give it a go. Months later I did the tour and loved the school and enrolled immediately. I did my time at the school which was not easy and worked a full time job to try to pay for it. At my graduation I told the one administrator if it wasn’t for that email I would never have enrolled and she looked blankly at my and told me that email didn’t exist. I didn’t know what to say so later that night I checked my computer and looked at the file where I saved it and it was gone along with the rest of my save files. It was empty and the was shocked. I went back to the school to do my final paperwork and the one teacher wanted to give me advice. She said I’d never have a real friend in the industry because I can connect with clients the way most hairdressers want to but don’t take the time to do. So instead of making enemies like she said I would I made it my mission to teach people how to connect with others and uplift them. It took many years and many different salons but eventually I found my crew and we were unstoppable and electric!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Uhgggg this question makes me cringe which is why I need to answer it. I had to learn how to not take everything so seriously and unlearn perfectionism. Stepping out of my comfort zone which is very hard for most people to do. People would say I’m a know it all and that I had an answer for everything and they were right. I had done so much education that I truly did think I knew it all because the knowledge was in my head and my clients were always satisfied with their service. But that’s not the case. I could’ve done a lot of things better/ different and I see that now that I’m further in my career. Knowing everything isn’t the most important thing, connecting with people is. Trying to satisfy their needs are. And learning something along the way is. It’s okay to be wrong, that’s how we learn.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

WORD OF MOUTH! The thing about any industry is if theirs talk about it you want it to be good talk because if Susie Q gets her hair done and she loves it she’s gonna go back and tell her bestie Bonnie Ray. But if Susie Q hates her hair or the experience she’s gonna tell every Facebook friend she has and tell everyone in home goods. Negative feedback travels faster than positive feedback unfortunately and that’s in every industry. If you are truly trying to build your clientele then you need to start with you. Come in dressed to impress even when you feel like slumming it, IT MATTERS! Also go out of your way to learn something for your clients, she interests in their interests. It builds conversation and confidence in you. Care about their problems as if they are your own. Showing clients you remember what they talked about at prior appointments will help them feel like they can open up to you, as they should! Make them feel at home so they never feel alone, giving them a safe zone gives them more opportunity to feel safe a helps build stronger, longer relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: Rebel555.com
• Instagram: Rockin_rebel_locks or Rebel555_boutique
• Facebook: Rebel555.com