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

Alright, Shana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

Many people assume that once they open a business their family and friends will support the most. It’s the total opposite! Your friends and family aren’t your target audience and it sucks to digest and process that! But, friends and family rarely become interested in your business at all. Even if it is something they are looking to purchase. I believe there’s a stigma that once you become a business owner you automatically look for that support and comfort of a loved one and it kind of hurts when it doesn’t go how you expect it. Right! It’s like, you know that your family and friends have been hearing you talk about your master plan and even watched you struggle to develop a great business pitch. But the moment you make your dreams a reality, all those people that were once in your corner disappear. Yep, we’ve all been there. You can ask any business owner and they will tell you they have had the same outcome. Don’t allow that to discourage you! Keep pushing! Those same people that ignore your gift will jump on the bandwagon once you make it. At that moment, you get to decide if you want them to come along or leave them where they are. The Non-believer stage!

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

I am Shana Marie, the owner of Shana Marie Hair and The Hair Whisperer Beauty Bar. My journey in the beauty industry began in 2010. I believed I would get as far as I am now because I was intentional when mapping out my career. I ran from the thought of becoming a hairstylist because it was my happy place and just a hobby before I took it seriously. But, once I made my mind up and became dedicated to servicing my community I began dreaming of the unknown and the impossible most would say. It has never been a walk in the park, and getting to my level of success was definitely a struggle. Living out of my car or barely able to pay my tuition. Everything seemed to fall apart before it became better and obstacles manage to find their way to me often. But, I never allowed my life trauma or situations to distract me from my end goal. I would write myself notes encouraging myself that I was enough and that I deserved the lifestyle I desire. Even if the naysayers would whisper those failing words in my ear. I never gave in to the things wishing to devour me because I knew that my purpose was greater than me. I get so many questions about servicing celebrities and how I feel about it and does it make me nervous. To be honest I treat them like regular clients. The same way I service my everyday clients is how I treat my celebrity clients. We are a family! No one is better than the other! But, I prepared myself with God’s help on how to operate a professional business and how to be thankful for my blessings but not idolize them.

Any advice for managing a team?

In the beauty industry, you rarely see salons/barbershops holding a high standard. Normally everyone is on their own and is required to learn the business side of things themselves. This leaves a lot of stylists and barbers imitating what they have seen previously and or what their current environment shows them. I strive on treating my team as a family but holding them accountable for their actions. If you treat your team how you would like to be treated when you were in their shoes, you would get the respect you are asking for. You can’t ask for your team to hold a higher standard and have morale when you aren’t leading by example. Requires an upscale classy atmosphere but plays unprofessional music and uses profanity is not leading by example. I see this way too often. You cant charge high prices in a low standard atmosphere! Which is what a lot of owners don’t understand. The way you carry yourself has an effect on your team. Instead of trying to fit in and be acceptable, try being a role model your team can look up to. Give them something to be thankful and grateful for every day. Allow them to express their feelings and make it a safe place where you all grow. Change the narrative and provide a calm inviting atmosphere that the clients and stylist would love. Lead them to success by taking management classes and offering them a class that causes them to grow for the better. My main advice is if you take care of your team they’ll take care of you. For example, if you provide them the place they need to become better at their craft and encourage them to be great they will respect you and the environment will run a lot smoother.

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

Becoming a successful hair stylist makes many think they know everything! When in fact, you may know a lot but not everything. Be teachable! I have noticed many salon owners and hairstylists aren’t as teachable as they think. This causes a barrier between understanding the problem and finding a solution. I state this because I see so many hairstylists on social media with so much potential but they are so unapproachable because of the status they carry. Which sometimes causes clients to overlook them as a potential stylist of theirs, a potential hire, or scouting, Remember, always have the mindset that you are never too popular to be teachable. Some of your favorite business owners are teachable! Never be too big! Your most teachable moments become some of your most humbling memories that you’ll forever be thankful for.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thehairwhispererbeautybar.com
• Instagram: thehairwhispererbeautybar
• Facebook: thehairwhispererbeautybar
• Youtube: shanamariehair

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