Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kimberly Watson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kimberly , appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Absolutely! I started my own business over a year ago. Honestly, my thoughts at the time were just surviving. 2021 was a hard year for small businesses, and I had a brand new one. It was very nerve – racking. But my clients were loyal and most, if not all, came with me when I moved so that helped. 2022 has been full of surprises though! We found out we were expecting our first baby, a little girl. We are very excited but also talk about a flood of emotions. Of course, I was questioning whether I would be better off going back to a corporate salon. If I would be able to juggle being a working first time mother and managing my own business. Reality hit, and I realized being self-employed would be a blessing. It means I have the freedom to adjust or tweak my hours, so I get the best of both worlds. I’ll be present for all the milestones and precious moments of her life while still continuing to grow my salon. Some moments I feel it might be easier to have a regular job, but at the end of the day I’m incredibly grateful to be an entrepreneur.

Kimberly , 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?

“Allow me to re-introduce myself!” The name is Kimberly, but I answer to any variation of that. I am 32 years young originally from Costa Rica. I was adopted when I was four and have since then been a Kansas City Missouri Native. Not Kansas City, Kansas. Lol. The road to self-employment and my own salon began when I was a small child. I was always styling my doll’s hair. Or my moms and dads, although he had very little. This eventually led to Beauty School at 17 and then five years at a corporate salon. When I reached the title of Advanced Master Stylist, I knew it was time to go. Thus, creating my beautiful “crown jewel” Crown Beauty KC. One of the best parts of my profession is the relationships I form with my clients. I am their therapist as much as I am their stylist. We share a bond and that always makes the appointments more fun because we are genuinely excited to see each other. Some things that set me apart from others would be my genuine love to educate my clients. From proper after-care of a Blonding or Lived-In color, to tips + tricks on Extension maintenance and styling. The integrity and health of your hair is my number one priority. That comes with 100% honesty. Sometimes the service you would like isn’t possible or would damage your hair or take multiple appointments * and we all know that’s not cheap. * We work together to find a product or service that is still going to give you the fresh new look or goal you’re aiming for, without hurting your hair in the process. Rome wasn’t built in a day, the turtle won the race, and no you cannot go from black to blonde in one session. Don’t rush the process.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Social Media has been a game changer for sure, but good old fashion word of mouth is by far the best source. There is nothing better than performing a service on a client and then four of her girlfriends calling you because you just did such a fantastic job and she raved about you. It’s especially satisfying because I go above and beyond every appointment, whether it’s your first or 100th, and that recognition of your hard work is a huge confidence booster. I do still post on my IG and FB. Because that’s the world we live in now. Every post is a chance to showcase my growth and my passion. It also helps inspire some of my clients that want something new but aren’t sure what that is.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My consistency! I strive to ensure my client always leaves 100% satisfied. I never assume we will be doing the same thing twice. Before we start, I like to chat. Do we want to do what we did previously? Are you wanting to try something new? Even one unsatisfied customer is too many for me, so I will ask all the questions. I also give my clients a week to reach out with anything that needs to be touched up or fixed. Sometimes when you get home and style it your own way, you see something that you just don’t like, or you wanted to look differently when styled your own way. It gives me genuine joy making people feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside, and I believe that my clients can sense that from the first time we make contact.

Contact Info:

• Website: Kimberlywatson1.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: @Hair.by_KimberlyV
• Facebook: @Hair.by_KimberlyV
• Other: Hair.by.kimberlyv@gmail.com

Image Credits
@EverGracePhotography @ForeverAFriendPhotography