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

Hi Sierra, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up, my parents taught me that grit and perseverance could carry me through anything. I had a significant learning disability, and school was extremely difficult for me. I graduated with a 2.3 GPA and often felt like I was falling behind. I know it was not easy for my parents to watch me struggle, but they never let me use that as a crutch or an excuse. Instead, they reminded me that I simply learned differently and encouraged me to lean into that.

Being raised on a ranch also instilled hard work and dedication in me at a young age. I grew up with a father who rode broncs, worked the ranch, and raised cattle, so discipline and resilience were part of daily life. My dad poured himself into building two businesses, including the ranch, and my mom dedicated her career to teaching. Watching both of them work so hard gave me an incredible example of perseverance, responsibility, and showing up no matter the circumstances.

That foundation shaped the way I approach my own career. It is also the reason I went into the beauty industry and started off as a hairstylist when I graduated. I was raised to believe that no dream is out of reach if you are willing to put in the effort, which eventually led me to pursue social media management and entrepreneurship. Being my own boss felt like the natural extension of everything they instilled in me. I am so grateful to have parents who not only supported me but also showed me through their own actions what it means to never give up.

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 went to cosmetology school during my senior year of high school because I had always been drawn to the beauty industry and loved the idea of helping people feel confident in themselves. After graduating, I started my career in a large salon with over 30 chairs. I have now been a hairstylist for 11 years, and in that time I learned so much about creativity, client care, and the business side of beauty. I loved the energy of the salon, but unfortunately I developed carpal tunnel and had to step away for a few years.

During that time, I transitioned into working as a personal assistant and household manager. In that role I learned how to connect with people on an extremely personal level and the importance of professionalism, skills that I carry into my business today.

When Covid happened, I knew I wanted to create something of my own online. I started out as a virtual assistant, then grew into an online business manager, and eventually found my niche as a social media manager. That is when I launched Socials by Sierra, and stay tuned for changes!

I do not believe in just posting pretty pictures online. We live in an era where social media is where people find you, and you have to showcase both your personality and your skill in order to build trust. In the beauty industry, people are trusting you with their looks, their confidence, and in many ways their identity. Your online presence should reflect that in an authentic and ethical way. That is what I help my clients do, not just gain attention but build credibility and lasting connections.

I also do not take being a social media manager lightly. I am constantly learning, growing, and keeping up with the industry. It is important to me to connect with people all over the industry and stay in touch with the rules, standards, and professionalism that are required.

Today, through my agency, I help beauty and aesthetics professionals, from injectors and med spas to hairstylists, plastic surgeons, and dental practices, take the overwhelm out of social media by creating strategies that actually drive growth and free up their time. What sets me apart is that I have lived this industry from multiple angles: behind the chair as a stylist, in households as a trusted manager, and now in the digital space as a strategist. I am most proud of building something rooted in grit, creativity, and genuine care, and I want people to know that my work is about more than content. It is about helping beauty businesses grow and win.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew earlier how valuable it is to have a coach or a mentor. They really are the cheat code to building a business. Things are always changing, especially in creative and digital industries, and having someone guide you who has already been through it can save you so much time and stress.

Another big lesson for me has been the importance of asking questions. Always ask questions. It is the fastest way to learn and grow. I also encourage people to join communities of like minded individuals or people in your niche. Being surrounded by others who understand your world not only gives you support but also opens the door to opportunities and new ways of thinking.

Looking back, I know I would have moved forward much faster if I had invested in mentorship and community sooner. Those two things can completely change the direction of your creative journey.

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that success has to look a certain way or follow a traditional path. Growing up with a learning disability and struggling through school, I often felt like I was not measuring up because I did not fit the mold. Even as I started my career, I carried the mindset that I had to push through in the same way everyone else did, even if it was not right for me.

A big turning point came when I developed carpal tunnel after working behind the chair in a large salon. I had built my whole identity around being a hairstylist, and suddenly I could not do what I thought I was supposed to be doing. Stepping away forced me to reimagine what success could look like. That is when I leaned into other strengths I had developed such as connecting with people, organization, and creativity, and eventually built a career that combined them in an entirely new way.

Unlearning the belief that there is only one right way to build a career gave me freedom. It allowed me to create a business on my own terms, blending my background in beauty with digital strategy and entrepreneurship. Today I see that my nontraditional path is actually what sets me apart and makes me stronger.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: SocialsbySierra
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierra-larson-9a927437a/

Image Credits

c3 photography- Casee and Caleb

CreativexAnna

SarahKorinphoto