We recently connected with Kimberly Vann and have shared our conversation below.

Kimberly , appreciate you joining us 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?

If I could go back in time, I actually don’t think I would have changed the start date for becoming a business owner.

The reason I say this is, I’ve grown so much in these last 5 years of salon ownership that I don’t think I would have appreciated the lessons if I had started when I wanted to.

Storytime:
I graduated Cosmetology school and received my license from the State of Mississippi Board of Cosmetology in 1999. At the time, I was a bright, starry-eyed young woman in her early 20s looking to open the world’s most sought-after full service hair salon that would serve celebrities and everyday people alike.
I created a business plan, with the help of our local business center, and sent it out to the SBA for funding assistance.

The rejected that thing so fast, I thought my head would fall off! It was devastating. I thought it would be easy, but it wasn’t. My friend and I got a job at other places. She went on to do something completely different and I worked my way through corporate mall salons.

Keep in mind-this was NOT where I thought I would be. It was soo not a vibe I wanted! Lol!

Time went on, but I NEVER stopped dreaming of opening my own salon. I wanted it ALL! A place where hairdressers, barber’s and other beauty pros could work together with their clients and have a center for learning right on site! Wow! It was gonna be great!

As the years passed by, I did a mental reassessment. That means, I stopped thinking about how much I DIDN’T want to work at those salons and started to be THANKFUL that I had free education on running a successful, worldwide salon with no limits on working capital. inventory and clientele.

I decided it was time to use my time wisely and enjoy the experience.

In 2012, I stepped out on faith and opened my first salon suite. I worked there part-time until it was clear that I could sustain it on my own without taking away from my household.

It’s been 10 years and I haven’t looked back!

I’m still not where I want to be, but I’m so much more optimistic about where I’m going.

The journey has been bumpy at times, but without it I don’t think I would be able to remain open during a pandemic and continue to grow.

I can say that I would not change a thing because I may not have gotten the chance to be here telling my story to all of you.

Remember to learn from your mistakes and take joy in your victories. Each one creates an impact on your life that could change the trajectory of your future.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Kimberly Vann. I am a Master Cosmetologists, Extensionist, Educator and Award winner/published hair designer.

My salon is called 5th+Harlow Salon Boutique, Inc. It is located in Dunwoody, GA inside for Salon Studios Perimeter.
I always knew I would be a Hairstylist. Outside of the other things I wanted to do, this career path was the one that I knew I could do everyday and still enjoy it like it was the first day.

As a professional hairdressers, I help women and men feel good about themselves by offering classic and popular services in a boutique style setting.

People who visit my salon can expect a professional, inviting salon experience which values their time, appreciates their patronage and respects their desire to look good and feel good each and every time they walk in/out of my salon.

We have a good time here as we get to know each other and my clients know I don’t just “do hair”. I educate then on how to care for their hair once they leave the salon so that they always have a team mate in their hair journey.

What makes me most proud is how my clients trust me with their hair. I always laugh when I try to hand them the mirror and they say, “Now you KNOW I don’t need that. I trust you.”
It makes me so happy! I just want them to be happy with their experience.

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

I am rebuilding my following on social media. I do this by just being CONSISTENT. Every one says it, but that’s really the formula.
Be consistent. Be honest. Be you!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I will say working through a global pandemic and being a mother of 5 children while living in a state where we had no family support was where I had to be the most resilient.

Each day was hard and unpredictable. Life throws curveballs that you think will take you out, but you’ll get that one client or one person that comes along in the knick of time and reminds you that God has you on his mind and He hasn’t left you.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.styleseat.com/kimberlyvann
• Instagram: @5thandharlow
• Facebook: 5th and Harlow Salon
• Youtube: Kim the Millionaire Beauty

Image Credits
Kimberly Vann/5thandharlow Salon