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

Nicole, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

My journey to becoming a salon owner wasn’t a straight line. It all started in 2010 when I stepped into cosmetology school in California, knowing that I wanted to run my own show one day. But life had other plans. After getting my license, I moved to Michigan and faced the harsh reality of building a clientele from scratch. I took a job at Great Clips to gain experience, but soon realized that the corporate world wasn’t for me. I craved creativity and freedom.

I took a leap of faith and joined another salon, working my way up to salon manager. But the more I climbed the corporate ladder, the more I felt suffocated by the rules and limitations. I yearned to break free and create my own path.

In 2019, I finally took the plunge and left the security of my corporate job to open my own suite. I’ll never forget the mix of emotions – anxiety, excitement, and pure terror – as I sat in my car on my last day, wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. But the next day, I took a deep breath and dove headfirst into my new venture. And boy, did it pay off! My first day in my suite, I made $700 – a staggering amount compared to my corporate checks. In that moment, I knew it was all worth it.

Of course, 2020 threw us a curveball with the pandemic, but I refused to give up. I kept pushing forward, marketing, advertising, and communicating with my clients. And when we finally reopened, business was better than ever.

Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to say that I’ve taken another huge risk and opened my own storefront as well as expanded that storefront. It’s been a whirlwind journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve got a talented team of stylists by my side, and we’re thriving.

So, to anyone who’s hesitant to take the leap, I say this: life is too short to play it safe. Take the risk, face your fears, and pursue your passion. The worst that can happen is that you fail, but at least you’ll know you tried. Don’t let fear hold you back from living the life you deserve. Take the leap, and the world will respond.

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

Well. Ever since I was a child I loved all things Hair and Art! It’s a way to express yourself while making people feel beautiful! I’ve literally started from the bottom and climbed the ladder, Making sure I did not skip any steps along the way. This made me into the Business women I am today. I’ve learned so much on this journey. Not only about my self but on how to be a great leader for my stylist! Here at beauty mark we are DIFFERENT! Why? Because we create a safe space to be able to relax with a no judgement zone. At a young age I suffered from anxiety. Beauty mark is a safe place for all people to relax and not feel judged doing so.

I’ve also created Beauty Mark as a safe place for our beauty artist to have the freedom to not be put in a box. To be who they were always meant to be! We defiantly all different and that is ok! So what am I proud of? Creating this space for all our clients and stylist!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

For me I think, it’s all about being genuine and truly listening to our clients. When I say listen, I mean being fully present and attentive to their needs and desires. Being a great stylist is important, but it’s not just about the technical skills – it’s about building relationships and trust. Our clients come to us for the expertise, but they stay for the personal connection. And if we ever make a mistake, I believe it’s crucial to own up to it and let our clients be heard. By being transparent, empathetic, and responsive, we’ve built trust and loyalty with our clients, and that’s what’s helped us build our reputation and grow our clientele.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I would say One of the toughest lessons I learned as a salon owner was letting go of the idea that my clients and stylists belonged to me. As a stylist, it’s hard to accept when clients choose to go elsewhere, and as a business owner, it’s just as hard to see talented stylists leave the salon. I’ve definitely felt the sting of heartbreak and self-doubt when a client or stylist chooses a different path. But I’ve come to realize that it’s okay. People grow, and sometimes I’m just a stepping stone in their journey. And honestly, I’m grateful to have been a part of their story in some way. When a stylist leaves, it makes room for new talent and opportunities, and it’s a reminder that our work is about supporting each other’s growth, not just about personal attachment. It’s all about perspective and learning to let go.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @beautymarkksalon @hairygodm0ther
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Image Credits

Myself:)