We recently connected with Shaleen Hauck and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shaleen, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I remember reading a quote before I opened my first commercial business that said something along the lines of “I would rather work a 16 hour for myself, then work an 8 hour day for someone else”. I think I was scrolling away on a sleepless night waiting for our lease agreement to go through. I remember thinking to myself – “No way is that going to be me – I am going to have a staff that make money for me while I am busy living the good life”. Fast forward a couple months, multiple 16+ hour days, a few teary moments in permitting office, and a least one full breakdown into a commercial build – I had the realization that my perception of business ownership was very different than reality.

10 years and two businesses later I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Do I still have my long days and think about how it would be nice to just get a pay check at the end of the week? Sure I do. Then; I quickly check myself, and remember that I have built a business around my passion that I get to nurture and watch grow as a direct reflection of the effort I put into it. That is the kind of career that most people only dream of.

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.

I have been in the beauty industry for over 20 years at this point, Its wild to think back of where I have come from to get to this point also. I was fortunate enough to have a family friend that later became my mentor get me started with my first job in a salon. I was sweeping hair and rinsing perms, with a strong desire to build a career out of hair and the beauty industry. I started my apprenticeship at 16, had my red journeyman certificate by 19, and opened my first salon at the age of 26. I have the pleasure of working in education with brands, and mentoring other stylists also. In 2022 I was able to pivot into a “salon suite” rental business while maintaining my business as a hairstylist.

The beauty industry has evolved significantly since 2020, and I am looking forward to all of the opportunities to evolve, and grow in the coming years.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I find I have had the most success growing my clientele with referrals paired with social media. The referral comes from your guest experience. When my client is in my chair, I make sure to make time to educate them on products, styling, scalp health, hormonal impact etc. I also focus on being honest about expectations vs reality in the service. I feel like having a strong consultation creates a safe space to build a connection. Listen, Educate, ask 1000 questions – connect with your guest.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

You have to do it all.

Letting go of that idea was a tough one. At the beginning of my entrepreneurial area – I had more time than money, and I did EVERYTHING in my business that I was physically capable of to save money (one time I even changed the coil heater on a hot water tank to save money on paying a plumber). As my business grew I ran myself into the ground with burn out. My house was a mess, my books were behind, the garbages were overflowing at the salon, my physical health was on the back burner and so was my relationship. I was a hot mess. I wan resentful of my spouse, friends, and people around me that had this life outside of work that I could only dream of.

Then, It all came crashing down around me. I broke my foot and was FORCED to step back.

I hired a business coach during the time, and one of the valuable lessons she taught me was to delegate. I had grown my business enough to have more disposable income than time, and the realization of having more time would allow me to focus on my business and have more disposable income. Wild right? I started with hiring a book keeper, then a house keeper and salon assistant. Slowly I got my time back. I started to create a better work life balance, that made me a more focused owner, a better business partner, an enthusiastic mentor, and a more engaged spouse. Everything got the better version of me, when I learned I didn’t have to do it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shaleenhauck.com
• Instagram: @shaleenhauck.hair

Image Credits
Elite Ambitions Photography