We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shannon Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shannon below.
Shannon , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
My, how things have changed over the past few years! The last time we talked, I was just starting to offer stretch mark and scar camouflage. Now, I’m a full service permanent makeup artist. I do eyebrows, lips, and, of course, stretch marks and camouflage.
A big reason I expanded my services is because my clients kept asking for more. I guess they liked my personality and trusted me to do other work for them. While I probably should have started with eyebrows since they’re more well-known, I chose to focus on scars and stretch marks first. I know, my business worked backward, but I’m so grateful for where I am now. I’m still growing and elevating my skills. I’m lucky to have such amazing clients who believe in me and have pushed me to do bigger and better things. I’m even taking on new eyebrow clients now!
Shannon , 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?
I’m a permanent makeup artist located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, and I specialize in a variety of services, including stretch mark and scar camouflage, lip neutralization, lip blushing, toe camouflage, powder brows, and powdered scar treatments.
Many artists aren’t equipped to handle hyperpigmentation in people of color, but I’ve spent years studying this and have advanced my skills to become an expert practitioner. Many people lose hope that their scars can be camouflaged, so I always emphasize to my clients that they must be consistent with their appointments. I make it clear from the start that multiple treatments are necessary, and I also offer financing through a third-party company to make the process easier.
I’m incredibly proud of the time and money I’ve invested in my education. In fact, I’ve had fellow artists reach out to me about my techniques, and I plan on teaching others this year.
I love what I do, and I’ll make sure to have fun while we’re in the studio!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Investing in a strong marketing strategy is the most effective way to grow your client base. While posting on social media daily is a good start, you can’t rely on algorithms alone to get your content in front of potential clients.
A consistent marketing plan and a dedicated budget are essential for long-term growth. When you invest in marketing, you can expect your income to increase as well, so don’t hesitate to raise your budget as your business grows.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
My business grows through a combination of two key strategies: Google Ads and word-of-mouth referrals.
*Providing exceptional service is the foundation of my growth.. When I treat clients well, they’re happy to recommend me to others. This creates a powerful cycle of referrals that consistently brings in new clients.
In addition, I use **Google Ads** to actively market my services. I pair these ads with high-quality images to attract potential clients. From there, it’s all about the consultation. I’ve found that once people talk to me and get a feel for my passion and expertise, they feel confident and ready to book.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shedrips.net
- Instagram: @Shedrips
Image Credits
Regal Maverick Photography was the photographer but I you have rights and permissions for the personal images.