Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to René Agee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi René, thanks for joining us today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?

I’d be happy to share some insights on recruiting initial team members for my salon. This has been by far the hardest task in owning my business. When recruiting the first few team members, it was crucial for me to find individuals who align with my vision and are versatile in their roles. Here’s a breakdown:

1. **Finding Them:** Networking was key. I leveraged my professional contacts, attended industry events, and used online platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. I also reached out to local schools and job boards to post openings.

2. **Interview Process:** Since I am a small business, I had a more personal approach. Interviews were informal yet thorough, focused on understanding their passion, skills, and alignment with my mission. I also looked for adaptability and willingness to take on various responsibilities.

3. **Unconventional Elements:** I introduced a trial period where candidates could work with us for a few weeks. This allowed us to assess their skills in action and evaluate cultural fit.

4. **Training Process:** Initially, training was hands-on and collaborative. We encouraged new team members to learn by doing and working closely with experienced members. This fostered a strong sense of teamwork.

5. **What I Would Do Differently:** In hindsight, I might have structured the interview process a bit more formally as the company grew. This could have included more standardized questions and assessments to ensure consistency. Additionally, I would have implemented performance reviews and career development plans earlier to support team growth.

Recruiting and building a team is an evolving process, and it’s essential to adapt your approach as your startup scales and matures.

I am extremely fortunate to have an amazing Manager and supporting staff that ultimately makes my business work! Treating employees with respect and kindness is always key!

René, 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?

Opening a blow dry and makeup bar has always been a dream of mine. I first noticed the concept about 20 years ago while visiting The Top Shop Department Store in London, England. I ventured into what I thought was a salon only to discover they only did blowouts and styling.

Being someone who despises washing and blow drying my own hair, I was immediately on board with this idea! In 2017 I finally made my dream come to fruition. My idea was to combine my love of good music, great libations, and making people feel like their best selves – this is a place where people can come and just want to hang out. It’s that fun to be here! The Blow Down is more than a hair salon, more than the local watering hole: more than a night out with your close girlfriends. We want everyone to leave here wanting to come back and be a part of this fun family! Since my opening in 2017 we have evolved into a full service hair salon and nail boutique. It was a natural progression as we saw a need for a one stop shop to further accommodate our loyal customers.

Our Philosophy: Getting ready for the party should be PART of the party! Not to mention bottomless champagne, wine and beer

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Starting a business often requires significant financial commitment and a leap of faith. I took a bold step by cashing out my retirement savings and using the equity in my home to fund my business venture. This approach has both advantages and risks:

Advantages:
1. **Capital Injection:** By using my retirement funds and home equity, I provided my business with a substantial amount of initial capital, which can be crucial for early growth and stability.

2. **Ownership Control:** I have full control and ownership of my business since I didn’t have to bring in external investors or partners.

Risks:
1. **Financial Security:** Cashing out retirement savings and using home equity put personal financial security at risk. If the business faces challenges, I may have not have a safety net to fall back on.

2. **Debt and Interest:** I took out loans against my home equity, so I had to repay them with interest, which can be a significant financial burden.
.
Ultimately, it has turned out to be the best decision for my career.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to shut down, I faced an incredibly challenging situation. I was forced to be resilient by:

1. **Immediate Adaptation:** Recognizing the need to protect my clients and staff, I immediately closed my salon as per government mandates. I then took the time to educate myself on safety protocols and regulations.

2. **Staff Well-being:** I stayed connected with them and provided resources for unemployment benefits and financial assistance. I vowed to rehire them when it was safe to reopen.

5. **Preparing for Reopening:** As restrictions eased, I meticulously prepared my salon for a safe reopening. I invested in personal protective equipment, reconfigured the layout for social distancing, and implemented strict sanitization measures.

6. **Resilience in Face of Uncertainty:** Throughout this challenging time, i maintained a positive and hopeful attitude. I viewed the pandemic as an opportunity to improve my business, offering new services and experiences that would set my salon apart.

When I finally reopened, clients returned, impressed by the safety measures and our commitment to their well-being. My salon not only survived the pandemic but also emerged stronger and more adaptable, a testament of resilience and determination.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.ontheblowdown.com
• Instagram: @theblowdownhb
• Facebook: @theblowdown
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-blow-down-huntington-beach-7