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

Megan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Firstly, I think the term success has been evolving immensely over time. If you were to ask any random person on the street, their definition of success will surely vary from one person to the next. If you were to ask a corporate executive or the world’s top 1% about the definition of success, you would find completely different answers there. While our current social-media influenced culture places success in terms of what handbag you own, what car you drive, what size house you live in, how much money you make, so on and so forth, my personal definition of success is quite the opposite.

Success, to me, is getting up every morning and being able to do what I love. It’s the opportunity to enrich the lives of others by listening to them, giving them the perfect hair color or haircut, and cultivating lasting relationships with the people who chose me to be their hairstylist. Success is being my own boss in a world where many companies look at employees as a number instead of a hardworking individual who deserves recognition. It is the opportunity to make my own schedule, create a healthy work-life balance, and take mental health days or vacations when necessary to make sure my social battery is recharged.

I don’t view success as the number of clients I have or how much money I was able to make this week. I view success as the ability to have a career that I am passionate about, the opportunity to spend time with my friends and family, and the gift of genuine love and care that my clients show me every day.

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?

From childhood, I have had a passion for hair! I used to ask my great grandmother (Mamie) for toys for Christmas like styling chairs for children or dolls, or the Barbie that you could play with and style (you know, the one that was almost like a mannequin head). I would also frequent the beauty shop, as my Mimsy called it, on a Saturday mornings with her as a child. I was always in awe of watching her stylist roll and set her hair and how beautiful she looked when we left.

Years later, I asked my parents to take the vocational path in high school so that I could take Cosmetology. As parents who had children young and did not finish college, my mom and dad wanted me to obtain a degree so that I could be successful and provide for myself. I went on to graduate from White Station High School and attended the University of Memphis for 4 years. During my time in college, I changed my major twice and never really felt as though I was called to enter corporate America or to have a desk job for the rest of my life. I needed genuine connection, creative outlets, and to express my inner artist at every possible moment. So, I left the U of M in 2013 and enrolled myself at Empire Beauty School in Memphis.

Cosmetology school was nothing short of a divine confirmation that this was my purpose; to enrich the lives of others through beauty, relationship, and passion. I graduated and obtained my license in 2014, and I have worked at 4 salons since graduating. Sport Clips helped hone my men’s cutting skills, the other salons helped me grow in my craft, hone my color and chemical application/skills, and live out my passion.

I have been working for myself as an independent stylist since September of 2021 and it has been the most rewarding career decision I have made to date! I’m so thankful for the salon family I have been so graciously invited into at Estelle Salon and Spa in Cordova!

I have spent countless hours watching virtual classes, trying new techniques, practicing on mannequins, watching TikTok videos and Reels to elevate my client experience. I truly believe it is so very important to thoroughly consult with clients and educate them about what techniques go into their overall look. I’m also a firm believer of giving my absolute undivided attention to the person who is in my chair. Every little detail counts when it comes to nailing every appointment with the clients who continue to choose you over another industry peer. And, don’t get me wrong, I don’t ever try to compete with my peers. I want all of us to be successful (in their own definition of course)!

If you are looking for a new stylist, I would love to be your choice! I offer color services, waxing services, cuts for all ages (children, men, and women), extension services, bridal styling, and smoothing services!

Have you ever had to pivot?

After the initial quarantine during COVID, I noticed a serious shift in the hair industry. Coming back to work after 6 weeks was a breath of fresh air and nerve wracking at the same time. All kinds of questions ran through my head. How will I be able to keep myself and my clients as safe as possible? How do I make my clients feel comfortable and welcomed without smiling faces, How will new clients perceive me behind a mask? How do I continue to bring in steady income without double booking? What attention to details can I provide to help created a more curated experience?

Then, the economy changed and more questions arose. How will I offset my cost of products to maintain profitability while simultaneously being able to retain my clientele? How can I take an even more elevated approach to make each appointment worth the investment to my clients? What can I add to my services to give more attention to detail?

Let’s face it. The last two years have forced so many people to pivot within their personal lives day to day, their work lives or career moves, and their plans for the future. For myself, I’ve added new service options for my clients at no charge to help melt the stress of the day away, as well as service options that are budget friendly and still allow my clients to look and feel their best! I understand that we all work hard for our money and have to really watch where and how we spend it. That is why I strive to give the best experience with attention to detail, have honest and trustworthy business practices, and cultivate lasting relationships with every person that sits in my chair!

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Let me start by saying that this dream of mine would be absolutely impossible without the love and continued support of my faithful clients (and those I have yet to meet)! They are the sole reason I get to do what I love.

I believe that there are so many ways to foster brand loyalty. One of the ways I go about that is to offer a referral program for my clients; for every two clients they refer to me, I reward them with a free haircut! Win, win! I also really take the time to educate my clients while they are in my chair. Whether it’s a live tutorial on how to get the perfect beachy waves, how to style a men’s fade, what products are best for different hair textures, how often should they shampoo according to their activities/routines/color of the hair, etc.

I make it my goal to have every client leave my chair with their cup more filled than it was when they came, but I might just be the one whose cup overflows at the end of the day. I’m beyond blessed to do what I live because I never really feel like I “have to work” and that is an incredible feeling!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/manesbymegmemphis
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/manesbymegmemphis

Image Credits
Professional Headshots/Photos Shelby Coughlin, Owner Ivory + Grace Hair photos Megan Mason, Owner Manes by Meg