We recently connected with Shelbilyn Bibby and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shelbilyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you manage your own social media?

The world of Social Media has changed how businesses do business. Being a 26 year old, my generation is full of social media influence. Check out a new restaurant? Phone eats first. Just got done working out? Look at this arm pump. People nowadays rely on social media more than ever. For me, this is what really made a difference in the growth of my business.

When I was still in cosmetology school pursuing my education, I created a page specifically gearing towards work I was doing in class. Rather it be a haircut, blowout or color. I snapped a picture and posted. After a while the likes and shares started coming in.

Once I graduated, I continued to do this both on instagram and Facebook. I figured if I was willing to share and post about my personal life, spending 5-10 more minutes a day wouldn’t hurt to share about my progress as a stylist.

Fast forward to present day, I am posting multiple times a week on all social media platforms and my own branded website.

Shelbilyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The way I was introduced into the beauty industry was unexpected. I consider myself an artist and like many artist do, I had some personal struggles. These personal struggles created this burning sensation that led me to want to find a new career path. One that I could pour my heart and soul into, while healing by creating. Therefore, I enrolled into cosmetology school and never looked back. During my time pursuing my education, I quickly realized that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I had never been more sure of anything in my life before.

I had always done crazy things to my hair, tried new makeup products and looks… but in all reality, I didn’t even know how to braid hair prior to my first day of instruction. Therefore this forced me to use my brain as a sponge and absorb as much knowledge and training as I could to perfect my skill sets.

Here I am, almost 6 years later. Owner of my own salon, being asked to travel out of state to do hair, going viral on social media platforms and the best part, being featured in magazine’s and articles like this one.

Due to the success and growth of my small business, I feel as though it is important to me to remember where I came from and the path I took to get here. It all starts small. Consistency is key. Assertiveness and determination are a leading factor also.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I was born in 1995. My generation eat, sleeps and breaths social media. It started with myspace, then Facebook, onto instagram, twitter and so many more.

I have always been heavily present on my platforms. Obviously this started out sharing my personal life and its happenings. I love the opportunity for people to see and hear things from my own point of view.
So when I began my journey behind the chair, I would post my progress, recent before and after’s and more.
You see people use market place to promote and sell, I saw an opportunity to get my name out there just by doing the same thing. I don’t know about you but any time I am looking for a new restaurant, outfit or local spot.. I 100% look at a social media page and read other people’s experiences. Marketing and taking advantage of any and every opportunity to market your business is what produces growth and revenue.

Before too long, after consistency of posting, hash tagging and learning the in’s and outs… my following grew. It’s still growing to this day.

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

Building a clientele is the first and most important step as a hairstylist. Without a clientele you have no clients, obviously but also no source of income. The way I have built my clientele is relying on my social media marketing. I see on average anywhere from 18-26 new client’s a month. Out of those clients 3/4’s of them state they found me on any one of my 3 social media platforms. The other 25% say word of mouth. Because of my presence and consistency on social media as well as taking the time to build my own website and brand, this has allowed my business profits to increase each and every year.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebhivebyshelbilyn.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hairbyshelbilynbibby
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hairbyshelbilynbibby
• Other: TikTok: bibbyshelbilyn

Image Credits
Photography: Alexis Fernandez @alexisjuliaphoto