We recently connected with Jessica Kidd and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, appreciate you joining 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?
Being a business owner can be challenging. Some days I am extremely happy, and some days I am anxious, overwhelmed and feel like I may have made the wrong decision. Managing a large salon team, large clientele and the business itself, can be a heavy workload. Not only was my mental health impacted, but my physical health suffered also. I got to a breaking point where I wanted to quit and get a full-time job somewhere.
Then I remembered my why.
Why I became a business owner, my why for creating a space for other beauty professionals, and my why for creating a salon home where customers feel valued.
After I remembered my why I did an audit of my business and started delegating tasks. I could no longer run a business alone. I needed a team to help manage my growing business and its operations.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Jessica Kidd, Founder and CEO of House Of Bombshell LLC, a beauty and lifestyle brand based in Baltimore, Md, and salon owner of House Of Bombshell Beauty Parlor. I have been in the beauty industry for almost two decades. I love cutting, coloring, hair extensions and treating hair loss. I am determined to break racial barriers in the beauty industry by implementing strategic communications and advanced continuing education for corporate beauty brands. My overall mission is to improve the technical skill of underserved and marginalized beauty professionals by providing resources that will help propel their career to the next level.
Our mission at House Of Bombshell is to empower women to make courageous choices in beauty and lifestyle. House Of Bombshell (HOB) fearlessly uses the convergence of beauty and wellness to promote healing through high quality products and services. Beauty is HOB’s driving force to prioritize self-care and mental wellness for women.
Our vision is to be a leading beauty destination for customers and salon professionals desiring a prestige beauty and wellness experience. HOB is a full beauty and lifestyle brand offering quality products and superior service. It is our goal to create a nationwide culture where women of color are deeply inspired and wildly celebrated.
Any advice for managing a team?
I have 4 tips for managing your team and maintaining high morale.
1. Highlight their strengths and coach them through their weaknesses.
2.Promote a collaborative working environment in and out of the salon.
3.Empower them with continuing education that will sharpen skills and build confidence
4.Celebrate achievements and contributions.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe my desire to always learn has helped build my reputation. Customers know that I am always pursuing some type of continuing education or higher learning to grow personally and professionally. Continuing education is one of our core beliefs at House Of Bombshell. It is our greatest asset. It has helped improve my technical skill, professionalism and customer service. I am overall a better entrepreneur because though I am looked at as the expert, I am always a student.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehouseofbombshell.com
- Instagram: jessicakidd__
- Facebook: facebook.com/iamthebomb
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jesslkidd
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jesslkidd
Image Credits
Thomas Kirk Nadia Anochie Forever Cottman Films