Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stefanie Mitchell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stefanie, appreciate you joining us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

As a Hairstylist, I like to show my clients every few months my gratitude for their continous business. without them, my business wouldn’t be where it is today. I will offer shampoo styles on all types of hair textures… discounts on color services… discounts on hair extension services… refer a client and receivce a deep conditioner treatment. With me being a professional hairstylist for over 15 years, it always a great way to show customer appreciation…

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

My name is Stefanie Mitchell, orginally from Dallas, Texas. I’ve been a licensed Professional Hairstylist since 2006, but in 2009 is where Memphis has helped me build the wonderful and growing clientele I have today. After leaving the corporate world, I begin my cosmetology life at a Technical college at the age of 29. I’ve always had a passion for hair since I can remember. Being one of the oldest students in the class, I pushed myself to finish in less than a year. Still new to the field, I was taken in by two wonderful stylists that became my family. within a short amount of time, I had built a steady clientele and soon made a move with my oldest son to a new city-Memphis. I wasn’t scared to step into the unknown, I stepped out on faith with the support of family and friends. My very first place of employment was J.C.Pennys Hair Salon(2009).

I spent many countless hours and days building a strong clientele. Within a year, I ventured off to a salon(booth rental) in a high traffic area. I remember what one of my cosmetology instructors said to me before graduation, she said, “Never salon hop, you will lose what you investedd your time and money in. Treat your business like its a baby. Care for it like its one of your children.” with that imprinted in my mind, I soon found a salon to start building and maintaining a clientele.

Over the course of time/years, I build. I alson built lasting friendships with other hairstylists in the industry who pushed me to become a better stylist. With the help of several stylists, I soon learned a new skill/love… Hair Extensions… My new love/passion, I wanted to help women to enhance their beauty to add hair extensions for length or fullness to their hair. Then I moved on to my next passion is helping women to embrace their chemical relaxer hair to transition to their natural coils.

After spending many hours consulting with clients, I soon learned that many stylists don’t take the time to get to know their clients or hair. Many clients have been burnt behind stylists not taking the time or rushing to make a quick dollar. Before any service, a consultation is a MUST. I’m known for my quick turnaround in service but I take my profession very seriously and personally.

Every client is very important no matter of age, color, or profession. with so many opportunities at my finger tips, I soon found a new home (Premier Hair Studio, located in Bartlett) where I’ve been for the last 3 years. The Owner, Shayla King, helped me build and introduce me to new services that I was once scared to partake in. When COVID-19 hit back in 2020, I was faced with no income and with so many unanswered as to when I would be returning to work. This left my clients calling and texting about their hair care needs. So I then started doing virtual consultations and went on to create a wig line to help them out. I started making wigs from curly hair, to straight hair to box braids wigs. this helped out so many of my clients and also picked up new clients from other states as well. (Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi).

On the road to becoming a successful hairstylist, you have to have tough skin which means never taking everything to heart. At the end of the day, you can’t please everyone and everyone isn’t meant for your chair, and lastly all money isn’t good money. Being a veteran in this business, this industry is always changing and education yourself is a must. Hair classes and hair shows help with whats going on across the United States and other countries. I struggle from time to time, transitioning from being old school to the new techniques that are being offered. To being taught how to use the flat irons to once using the hot comb and marcels. Another transition, was from writing down appoints in a book to now having an online appointmnet book. Addvertising has now become a must with social media being the new platform for showcasing your work. If you don’t stay on top, you can lose potential clients. I’m all about offering new specials every quarter to keep them coming back. Where I was once weak, I’m now strong.

I believe in making time for family when you’re in a very competitive field. You must have a social life outside of work. That’s with any profession, I set aside family time at the beginning of the week for movie time, homework, and housework. The struggle is real different peaks of the year. Mostly around the holidays, I struggle to maintain that social life outside of work. I also struggle with turning clients away. I really don’t like saying “NO”. But at the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you and your health.

Being in the hair industry is all about networking, promoting, and socializing. I’m all bout providing any information that was shared to me to others who are getting their feet wet. I love what I do and it shows with every repeating client and new client.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe what helped me build a clientele was word of mouth and the salon that I’m now at. Premier Hair Studio is known for providing an excellent customer service. I also use social media, (Facebook, Instagram, and my online styleseat appointment book with business cards that are displayed at the front of the salon and on my station. But the best source has been word of mouth from my existing clients.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Keeping in touch with clients through my online appointment book where from time to time I will send a thank you message or and text with a five dollar off and chemical service to ensure that they are well informed and to ushering in new clients. I do most of my marketing from different apps that I have downloaded on my computer and I’m always doing tutorial videos on myself to show how you can change up your look. I make this a weekly marketing tool.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.styleseat.com/stefaniemitchell
• Instagram: Styles_by_Stef
• Facebook: Stefanie N Mitchell
• Linkedin: Stefanie N. Mitchell
• Other: Premier Hair Studio 3135 Kirby Whitten Rd Suite 104 Bartlett, Tn 38134

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Soulisticshots (Instagram/Facebook) Makeup : Flawlesslyfierce(Instgram)