We were lucky to catch up with Meggan Decker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Meggan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I am always fantasizing over another job or career. Maybe that is part of having a creative mind. I have to laugh, because if you were to ask my husband, he could probably give you the time of year that I am plotting out my next adventure. Typically in my industry, we get pretty slow twice a year. January and July. My guess is because in January, it is right after the holidays. For one, money is tight for everyone, and for two, most of our guests are getting services for holiday parties, photos or just so they feel their best while seeing friends and family. July is the month that most are out of town living their best life with their families. During those months, I have been known to reevaluate my choices and my life. If you were to ask me what job/career I would choose, it could be anything, from life coaching, opening a boutique or even a sales job ( I do like to talk, alot).
When I am slow, I allow my mind to wonder beyond boundaries, telling me the end has finally caught up with me. You know the feeling of “its too good to be true”? I begin to question if my guests have found someone else, or if I am doing all that I can for them?
When I finally have a minute to breathe, I realize with any other job or career, it is going to have stress and down time. I ask myself if I really want to invest time and energy into something completely new? Or do I love my guests and my craft enough to want try and pivot within this industry and find new and better education/tools or trends to keep my clients always wanting to come back.
By the time I get to reminding myself that I love my craft, I love my guests and I love the environment I have created for myself, the slow time has passed, and business is filling my every movement again. And there is no time for finding a new career. I am thankful that I love what I do, and I love that there is nothing “regular ” about my daily life at work.
Meggan, 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?
Twenty three years ago I decided that I did not want to be the receptionist at the salon full of creative hair designers. Instead, I wanted my own guests to take care of. Not only did I see the artistic side of this industry, but I saw the passion that goes into it. You have to love what you are doing in order to make an individual feel so incredible about themselves. That does not just come from picking up a color brush or a pair of shears. Anyone can do that. I wanted to plant the smile and the spark that you feel when you look at yourself and love what you see.
Our industry has changed so much over the years. Especially after covid. For so many years our industry was overlooked, and we were put in a category that was non essential. In present time, this is not true. We are one of the few industries that are able to touch our clients, physically,emotionally and provide self care.
Of course we can live without our hair. But who wants to? Over the years, I have had many ladies go through chemotherapy. Not only does that take a toll on our bodies, but it changes our hair. Most will loose their hair. And as it comes back in, it’s hard. Mentally it is hard. Helping my guests get through this process is not easy. I wish I could wave a magic wand, and give them back what they had, but I can’t. So with alot of time, hugging, and tears we work together. We get through all the stages of texture changes and color changes. My heart has weighed heavy many times, and still does. I guess what gets us both through these tough moments, is the trust and the deep friendship. Being mindful with how much trust in me, in something truly so intimate and overwhelming for them, is the most humbling moment as a hair designer. Knowing that what I have created for them, or the touch I have provided, has helped heal them in that moment. I do believe this is the most proud I have felt.
I could also tell you that taking myself out of my comfort zone multiple time, owning my own salon and wedding business or becoming a color educator, is for sure at the top of my favorite moments of a hair designer.
But if I had to be honest, one thing I want people to know about me, is how I connect with my guests. How I will go to the ends of the earth to find new ways to reinvent myself. I am a firm believe in continuing education, and to invest in me, means I invest in my guests.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I guess the goal that drives my journey is what is new and what is next. Before I even stood behind the chair for the first time, I told myself that I would not be solely behind the chair my whole career. And I have not been. I guess what I am trying to say, is that whatever is next that pops up within my industry that provides me with a new opportunity, I definitely will entertain the idea of trying it out. Education is one that is top of my radar. I love sharing any knowledge that I might have to newer stylist. It could be on a skill I might have or on the level of building a business within our industry.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I feel like I am on a five year pivot plan. Right around the five year mark, I feel like it is time to see what else I can do. This does not mean that I give up working behind the chair, because in all reality, this is my bread and butter. I do feel that adding “side” gigs are always good for our career. For example, about 10 years ago, I felt that creating a wedding business on the weekends would be a good creative output for me. Doing this still allowed me to take care of my guests full time in the salon, but on the weekends I could get out of the salon and go to the brides location, make them feel even more special than they already do and create some beautiful art!
Once again, one thing I do love to do is build relationships, and although I may have hung up the curling iron, I still get to carry on these friendships in the salon!
So what’s next? I am not sure, but while I sit back living in this moment, I know something is on the horizon.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: pixieshairdesign
- Facebook: pixies hair design
Image Credits
Jennifer Klink Photography Abbie Rudolph