We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Spencer McBride a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Spencer, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever experienced a times when your entire field felt like it was taking a U-Turn?
I think it goes without saying that the 2020 Covid pandemic was the largest cultural shift the beauty and salon industry has seen thus far. Every single thing that defined a stylist as ‘successful’ became the opposite of what you now wanted to be. In 2019, a salon filled to the brim with clients was an indicator of a thriving business that somebody looking for a new hairdresser would flock to. Flash forward to May 2020 and that exact image would evoke fear into many people, clients and stylists alike. Clients now wanted an ultra private, safe surrounding where they didn’t have to worry about their health. This forced me to leave a large commission salon and start my own business in a salon suite, something I initially never saw myself doing. On top of that, I think it really caused everybody to stop and reassess what they want out of life and more importantly, how they want to feel when they leave their hair appointments. Working in a calmer and less saturated space every day allows me to go above and beyond for each individual client. This in turn has allowed me to foster stronger bonds with my clients and I am incredibly grateful to get to do that. A lot of the women I get to work on have supported me through a lot of different seasons and it feels like my goal to show my gratitude to them.
Spencer, 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?
I have done hair for as long as i’ve had some on my head. I would bring box color and kitchen scissors to gym class in middle school and turn it into a salon. My mother was close with her stylist, and I was lucky enough to attend a couple of appointments with her before I was in grade school. I was hooked on the idea of getting your hair done. I loved that you could change your look like a video game character and got to do it while sharing the gift of gab with your stylist. I’m still hooked on it. I tell my clients all the time, “My vibe here is for you to feel like you’re getting your hair done at your friend’s house.” They always laugh and agree that i’ve cultivated just that. It is simple but so special to me. I love the women I work on and I love the time we share. I always want it to feel like a fun, accepting place regardless of where you’re at in your life.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
That hair stylists have to dress a certain way. Years of work in commission salons will leave you believing all stylists should wear 90% black, sleek outfits with a full face of makeup on and a shoe with some height. Working in a salon suite environment where everybody is independent and in charge of themselves shifted this for me as well. Seeing successful stylists that have been behind the chair for triple what I have wearing comfortable clothing and footwear blew my mind. But I get it now! I do it too and my old bosses would probably shiver at what I wear now but even this small change has allowed me to show up happier and better for my clientele.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Women. From every age, walk of life, and corner of the earth. I rarely meet a woman that doesn’t teach me something I didn’t need to know. One of my very best friends (who also does hair!) told me one time when I was in a hard place that my current story stood on the shoulders of the women who experienced it before me. That changed my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: hairbyspencer.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: @hairbyspencer.texas
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-mcbride-a39195157