We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maddi Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddi , thanks for 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?

I absolutely love being a business owner! I do think sometimes it would be easier to have a regular 9 to 5 job. I think about how my schedule could be set and all I have to do is show up to work and do my work and go home and that’s the end of it. I think About how when I have slower months, it would be so much nicer if I didn’t have to worry about if I’m gonna make enough money that month or what can I do to drive more business? It’s very stressful at the end of the day, but in my opinion, it’s completely worth it. Recently, I had a two month stretch, where I didn’t have as much business as I typically do and I really had to sit down and look at my numbers and decide does it make sense for me to continue being on my own, having to worry about making ends met or is it time for me to leave the industry and get a regular job with a guaranteed income? I at the end of the day I came to the conclusion with my partnert that for me even though it’s extremely hard and I stress about if I’m doing enough, and if I’m running my business well at the end of the day, I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to do and I’m exactly where I should be. I learned that I can’t compare myself to others and that the road I’m on is the one I’m supposed to be on.

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

I’m a hairstylist of five years,I’m also in my 3rd year of being in a salon suite. also a second generation stylist. I never really thought about pursuing Hair as a career because in school they didn’t really talk much about train schools or anything other than getting a four-year degree. I went to A community college for two years and in those two years, I decided I don’t love school and I didn’t love what I was studying and Enrolled in hair school the very next week.

I specialize in blonding and color as well as extensions. I really try to not only achieve my clients hair goals but to also know them on a personal level. I truly want my clients to be comfortable with me, and to build a long lasting relationship.

I think what sets me apart from others in the industry is I’m not afraid to be honest with my clients, if they ask me my opinion I will always be honest with them no matter what. I also own up to my mistakes/short comings, if I didn’t meet their expectations I want to get to where I went wrong and what I can do to make it right. There are situations where what they ask for isn’t realistic and I do my best to explain why it may be feasible, I do however give them alternatives and go from there.

I’m most proud that I never gave up, I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I worked two jobs for several years to be able to pay my bills but also give me the opportunity to invest in myself. I’m truly blessed to get to do what I love as a career.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn that being available to my clients at times hurts me in the long run. In school they tell us that we have to hustle in order to be successful. They told us to never say no to an appointment and to work evenings, weekends and more was the only way to build. I tried this in the beginning of my career and what I got in return was a clientele that didn’t respect my time off or that I had a life outside of the salon. It lead to me never being present at home with my boyfriend and family as well as burnout. It’s something I’m still learning to this day.

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

The absolute best source of new clients is word of mouth. I’ve built a clientele that I truly love and enjoy each and every one of them. By them recommending me to their friends and family, I in turn get more people in my studio like them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @maddi.b.blonde.ict
• Facebook: Maddi B Blonde

Image Credits

Head shots and detail photos- Ashlyn Faith Branding Photography