We recently connected with Reese Stokes and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Reese, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I remember working for ALLSTATE and having difficulties managing balancing a demanding job and being a single parent. I was missing too many days from work to take care of my daughter and my performance was not up to par. I knew I was about to lose my job so I decided to use my knowledge as a hairstylist to begin my new career. Instead of letting them fire me, I gave my two week’s notice and started doing hair as a mobile stylist. After building up my clientele for a year, I found a salon to work in. That was 2006 and I haven’t stopped since.

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

My name is Reese, Better Known As, The Peacockstylist, and my journey started because of my mom and her twin sister, my Aunt Piper (who is a licensed cosmetologist that specializes in nails….). She taught me how to do acrylic nails at age 8. I mastered nails at an early age and started trying different hair styles with the goal of eventually going to beauty school and choosing this as my career. In 2015 when I opened The BE LOUNGE, my focus was not just creating beautiful styles on my clients, it was yet creating a way to assist in the internal healing process. I knew my words encouraged people, so I started researching alternative ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and life, etc… I implemented yoga, essential oils, and communicating through spiritual coaching to the salon. I’ve also implemented the healing process through my podcast, accessories, and clothing. The benefits of all of these things in my salon have not only transformed me, but it has helped a number of people. I am able to assist you internally to feel as beautiful as you look externally.

The BE LOUNGE is more than a salon, it is a healing station, a free spirit space to release and start living truthfully….

Podcast THE SCHOOL OF HARDKNOTS

where you have a choice to learn and be free or continue to stay tangled in the knots you create in life ……

Vintage online closet Gypsy Santuary

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Most important strategy for growing my clientele has been staying consistent and being present…

I volunteer for a lot of events, conventions, hairshows, etc…, to connect with other like minded people. I use social media to show my authentic self. Word of mouth (referrals) have been one of my biggest factors. Allowing my clients to talk about their experiences from the BE LOUNGE and share with their village has always been a major boost to my 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 had to unlearn that my business was no longer a hobby. It never really was because I didn’t do hair on the side when I had a corporate job … I remember when I first started, my prices were really low. I worked all day, every day, thinking I could not say no to anyone because I needed the clients. Well eventually I learned that I needed to treat this as my 9-5, add some structure, be disciplined, and budget if I wanted to have the life I truly wanted.

Contact Info:

• Website: Thebelounge.com
• Instagram: Thebelounge
• Facebook: The be lounge
• Other: The School Of Hardknots @Reesepeacockstylist 

Image Credits
@mstouchofheaven Ebony Botchway