We were lucky to catch up with Juda Hensley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Juda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

It took me a while to realize that 9-5 is not for me and that I ignored my childhood dream to become a hairstylist (that inner voice wasn’t loud enough just yet). I was 27 when I started cosmetology school and haven’t left the industry since. Before then I was always looking for something new and different. I worked at a bank, oil company, cruise ship (as a personal trainer) so I always told everyone that I’m adaptable and like to try new things, but doing hair and makeup is my passion. I gladly wake up at 3am if I have to and go to work when it comes to photo shoots, fashion week, movie shootings etc. to do my job. But I still want to say, I wouldn’t change a thing! Because when it comes to change I know I will succeed. I guess it’s part of the journey, finding yourself and finding your passion… At 18 I was too young and immature to know. When I had customers that were scared to leave their office jobs to follow their dreams I was always telling them my story and it’s never late to thrive for their dreams and I actually received several ‘thank you’ messages motivating them finding their passion.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a hairstylist all the way from Europe, I do every kind of hair services: men/women/children haircuts and color. But my main profile is coloring. I had the chance to learn some of the greatest names in the industry which gave me different visions on hair. I specialized in hair coloring and cutting techniques. I master new techniques fast and easy and my main skill is definitely that I have a great understanding of hair and people and find what suits my clients the best both cut and color-wise.
Some of my greatest achievements are working at several different fashion magazine photo shoots, tv shows, movies, celebrities, dancing with the stars hungary tv show and the New York Fashion Week.

I have great communication skills even though English is my second language, and find a voice with everybody. I build trust with all my clients, because if you think about it who else touches your head/hair besides your loved ones? I know when they need me to stay quiet, or when my client needs some support or a deep conversation to get it off their chests.

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

This is a tough one! We all trying to do something different and do something better, but most of the time we end up copying someone else. Hard to be original and stand out, and I’m still working on it every day. Trying to create a pattern that drives more audience to my pages, also using hashtags. There are a million little tricks and tips you can use when growing your followers and I highly recommend to contact a marketing professional for advice, or there are plenty accounts that targets these problems. Also be creative on how you advertise. Sometimes a cool workshop or a gift handed out the right place can help a lot on locally growing your business.

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

Building a good reputation is important, in my field you do need a friendly personality and be nice to people, make them feel special. And you still gonna find yourself in situations when you are not a good fit with someone. I suggest to let those people go and help them find their person. There will be 3 other waiting on that person’s spot. And the greatness of the beauty industry is no matter what you’re doing you will find your clientele. Ps. Take pictures of your work and create content!!! Word of mouth is great, but nothing is better than social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: Judahensley.com
• Instagram: Trustmeimahairstylist
• Facebook: Facebook.com/judahair
• Youtube: @ProSalonSecrets
• Other: +Instagram: prosalonsecrets

Image Credits
Profile photo by pixels&pizza marketing agency