We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lenora Leathers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lenora below.

Lenora , appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

As a hairstylist, I used to work tirelessly, from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, aiming to serve as many clients as possible and maximize my earnings.

However, this lifestyle eventually took its toll on me, especially after starting a family and having a husband who valued realism. It made me reflect on an alternative approach: What if I could transform my business by hiring liscenced stylists, teaching them my techniques, implementing efficient scheduling practices to avoid double bookings, and demonstrating how to achieve a better work-life balance. My goal was to create a salon chain where each individual could find their own balance, and in doing so, make the company thrive.
Since I was juggling multiple responsibilities—taking care of client, managing the front desk, and overseeing the company—I realized that I had to step away from behind the chair after almost two decades. It was a difficult decision, but I had to relinquish my clients to the team members I was training. This move allowed me to take a risk, with the hope of helping more people and ultimately establishing a successful salon chain company.

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

Having worked as a hairstylist for over 20 years, I have gained a reputation for delivering high-quality services in a remarkably efficient manner. It all started in my parents’ living room, where I had clients lined up to receive my services. I would shampoo their hair over the kitchen sink, using my mom’s large bath towels. Initially, I offered my services for free until my mom ran out of the products she bought for my sister and me. That’s when she advised me to start charging clients, which began at $5 per client.

Since then, my journey has taken me through various stages of growth. I graduated from Dillard’s Hair and Nails School and went on to work at a corporate salon in Overland Park, KS. This experience allowed me to develop my personal brand as a hairstylist catering to business professional women seeking a seamless salon experience with minimal wait times. I specialized in working with highly textured hair and became the go-to stylist for these women, who would visit my salon once or twice a week.

As my career progressed, I pursued continued education classes to become a certified educator. This opened up opportunities for me to travel to different Dillard’s salons, sharing my techniques and knowledge. It was a true highlight of my career at that time.

Fast forward to the present day, I have successfully opened three salons in the Kansas City area, specifically tailored to serve black business-owning professional women with highly textured Afro hair. Recognizing the lack of product offerings for this clientele, I developed a moisture product line that we use on all our clients and offer for purchase, allowing them to continue their hair care routine at home. Our natural, alcohol-free products are not only available at our salons but also sold in local Kansas City Hy-Vee stores.

Savvy Salon KC has garnered recognition as the best hair salon on both the Kansas and Missouri sides. It brings me immense joy to witness our numerous five-star reviews on Google, including one client who discovered us all the way from Brazil and signed up for our membership program. This unique program allows clients to pay a monthly fee and receive free hair services within the membership. This business model, combined with our non-booth-rental approach, sets us apart from the rest.

With well-established systems and processes in place, we prioritize the well-being of our team by offering benefits that are uncommon in black hair salons. My husband, who handles the behind-the-scenes aspects such as marketing, hiring, and ensuring the implementation of effective systems, supports me in running the business. Together, we hire and train our team, providing them with a predictable schedule. This approach fosters a real sense of teamwork and creates an atmosphere that enhances our ability to serve our clients to the best of our abilities.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2023, the word “resilience” holds deep meaning for me as a business owner, encompassing my transformative journey over the past decade. I’ve encountered countless challenges, including the devastating loss of my brother, which often left me wanting to surrender and retreat to the safety of my bed. My salon seemed like a distant dream. Yet, amidst the pain, an unexpected source of strength emerged—the unwavering support of my clients. They uplifted me, urging me to keep going.

Throughout the years, I poured my heart into nurturing a team of talented stylists, only to witness them spread their wings and establish their own ventures elsewhere. The first stylist departure pierced my heart deeply, but it gifted me a profound realization. I learned that people enter our lives for a reason, and it is the impact we have on them that truly matters.

Now, when a stylist decides to move on, I no longer take it personally. Resilience has taught me to develop a tougher exterior, to persevere through moments of confusion and doubt. I’ve come to understand that by continuously sowing seeds of dedication and hard work, blessings will naturally flow into my life.

Resilience has transformed into my guiding principle, enabling me to navigate storms and persistently move forward. It has unveiled a profound wisdom within me—to trust in the process, to cherish and empower those around me, and to plant seeds of goodness. With each act of love and nurture, God will water the ground with abundance, knowing that the harvest will be plentiful.

So, as I reflect on my journey, I invite others to embrace the power of resilience in their own life. When faced with adversity, may you draw strength from unexpected sources and persevere. Remember that every person you encounter has the potential to leave a lasting impact, and it is through the cultivation of dedication and hard work that the seeds of success are sown. Trust in the process, shower love on others, and watch as the seeds you’ve planted flourish, blooming into a garden of abundance.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My husband, the brilliant mind and backbone of our company, is the CEO and mastermind behind the scenes. And no, he doesn’t do hair, haha. We crossed paths on a blind date, and now, ten years into our marriage, we have three incredibly handsome boys and a beautiful surprise bundle of joy on the way!

From the moment we met, I knew he would be an invaluable asset to me. His entrepreneurial spirit runs deep, and he possesses an innate ability to elevate companies to new heights of success. With his intelligence and expertise, he has played a pivotal role in propelling Savvy to a scalable level.

I am beyond grateful to embark on this business journey with my husband, who not only leads with grace and wisdom but also embodies resilience. Together, we face the challenges head-on, knowing that our love and unwavering support for one another will carry us through any storm that comes our way. Our bond, rooted in black love, fuels our determination to overcome obstacles and create a legacy for our children and there’s too!    X     

Contact Info:

• Website: Savvysalonkc.com
• Instagram: @savvysalonkc @lenoraleathers @rickeyleathers
• Facebook: @savvysalonkc @lenoraleathers
• Linkedin: Lenora Leathers , Rickey Leathers
• Youtube: Savvysalonkc

Image Credits
Rickey Leathers, Lenora Bradford, Elaina Thomas