We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shalonda Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shalonda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

This may be cliche’, but my mother is my hero. Growing up my mother worked for the Navy and decided to open up her own hair salon in the early 90s. She worked full time in the Government and went to school part time for two years. At times, I would go with her to her academy after she would pick me up from school. There, I learned the basic fundamentals. The owner would have me clean/sanitize the bowls, change out the barbicide containers, and sweep the floors. I learned about proper sanitation. I also would practice how to hold a marcel iron. Little did I know, I was being groomed to become a successful owner and stylist. I was 12 when my mother opened her first salon and was enchanted by her journey and all of what she could do. As I went on to high school and college, I worked in the salon when I could. My mother taught me the break down of hair, how to treat it, customer service, how to handle unruly clients, how to communicate with clients, how to create boundaries, etc. Fast forward to 2015, when it was mine turn to put in my resignation to leave the Federal Government, I was petrified. My initial thoughts were can I do this? Am I making a mistake? I have a family depending on me. Am I good enough? In those moments, I thought of my mother, who left the Government to pursue her dream with a family. She has been a successful Salon owner and stylist for over 27 years. This was the driving force to my current success. Til’ this day, I still seek guidance, wisdom and council from my mother.

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

My name is Shalonda, I’m 39 years and I’m currently a hair and Makeup artist in the DMV. I began my hand in hair & makeup when I was 12 years old. I worked in my mother’s salon throughout high school and college. In 2005, I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from High Point University.

In 2006, I became an investigator as a contractor for the U.S Government and later, pursued my dream career as an Intelligence Analyst with the Department of Justice. I worked both full-time in the Government and part-time in my mother’s salon as I built my clientele as an artist and stylist, as this was my true passion.

In 2015, I resigned from the Government to become a full-time hairstylist and Bridal makeup artist and obtained my cosmetology license 2015. In late 2021, I became certified as a Cranial Prosthesis Specialist to help aid men, women and children obtain Prosthetic hairpieces due to medically induced hair loss.

I currently service Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern, VA in my salon suite.

I am a hair and makeup artist, specializing in Bridal Hair & makeup. Bridal makeup has been a niche’ I’ve grown to love and adore! It’s a chance to showcase not only my skills but being a part of the journey leading up to one of the most important days in people’s lives. It’s absolutely magical! I am proud of myself for my customer relations skills.

It’s not about how many clients I can book in one day or how much money I can make, but actually making a person feel special just by pampering or providing a relaxed atmosphere for my clients. It’s about listening to my clients and giving them confidence, laughter, and space to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.

What sets me apart from others is my ability to relate to my client’s needs by providing them with an atmosphere where they know that I care about the integrity of my client’s hair and overall being.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is customer service, customer service, customer service. A lot of business this day in age could have an amazing product or service but they lack simple customer service. My FIRST priority is my intent; listening to the customers problem and how we can solve it. Even if there’s no problem, just providing basic hair care needs and caring for health and integrity of my clients hair, educating them and proving with at home care helped me build my business. I want my clients to feel special not just someone there to make money and treat my clients like they are in an assembly line. I like to make sure each person leaves satisfied. I like to under promise and over deliver. Naturally, a client will refer other clients which has been very effective with growth and retention.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Some of my favorite books of all time are as follow: “The 12 Week Year” “The Go Giver” “The Four Agreements” “Outwitting the Devil” “Think and Grow Rich”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Shalondanichole.com
• Instagram: @shalondanicholemua
• Facebook: @shalondanichole
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalonda-harris-491a8312b/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ZfnB-2L-IRriAfMiv6ZjA
• Other: Tiktok: @Shalondanicholemua

Image Credits
Antwon Maxwell @antwonmaxwellphotography