We were lucky to catch up with Makayla Spielman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Makayla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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’m so happy as a business owner! Going back to school and choosing to become my own boss was truly the right decision for me. The timing and circumstances played a big role too. Starting a business isn’t easy, and if things had been different—if I didn’t have the support and resources I needed—I might feel differently.

I also understand that everyone’s situation is unique. For some people, it makes sense to keep a regular job while building their business on the side. But if you’re in a position to go all in, don’t be afraid to take that leap—it might just be the best decision you ever make!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m a special occasion hairstylist, focusing primarily on bridal and formal events. I also occasionally work on set for photoshoots, headshots, and corporate marketing.

I attended Paul Mitchell Schools, originally thinking I would open my own salon. But along the way, I realized how much I truly loved the artistic side of hairstyling. So I leaned into that passion and ran with it! By the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to start my own business. Every spare moment was spent building my brand and learning everything I could about both business and styling.

One of my biggest goals is to create a smooth, stress-free experience for my brides—because I know how overwhelming wedding planning can be. I’m always evaluating and improving my process, from creating a detailed day-of schedule to introducing myself and making sure I’m the perfect fit for their big day. A lot of the work I do happens behind the scenes—the parts you don’t always see on Instagram—but it’s what I focus on every single day to give my clients the best experience possible.

A little exciting update—I’m currently working on launching my own bridal hair accessory line! It’s still in the works, but I’m so excited for this new opportunity and everything ahead.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I truly believe that having a strong foundation is everything in business. Knowing your core values—and sticking to them—makes all the difference. When you build your business around what you genuinely believe in and stay consistent, you naturally build trust with the people around you.

My clientele is a great example of that. About 30% comes from referrals from past brides and their families, another 30% from fellow vendors in the wedding industry, and the remaining 30% from platforms like Instagram, The Knot, and WeddingWire.

If I didn’t have a clear foundation of who I am and what I stand for, those word-of-mouth referrals wouldn’t exist—and that’s actually where more than half of my inquiries come from!

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

When I first started this journey, I wasn’t making a living yet—it didn’t quite feel like a full business. It covered my insurance, products, gas, and the essentials, but I wasn’t paying myself. Still, I showed up.

For the first year (and honestly, probably longer), I said yes to everything. I don’t think I turned down a single opportunity. I just wanted to learn, grow, and be a part of as much as I could.

Now, I’m in a very different season—my books are much fuller, and I do have to turn some inquiries away, which truly breaks my heart. I’ll always do whatever I can to make an event fit into my schedule because I genuinely love saying yes!

I also think that willingness to show up and be available helped build trust with other vendors in the wedding industry. They knew they could rely on me—and I hope that’s exactly how they still see me today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leadinglady.online/
• Instagram: @leadinglady_
• Facebook: Leading Lady

Image Credits

Amanda Overton Photography
Heirloom Photography