We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Bell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

I got my first client by using the StyleSeat platform I was still working a regular 9 to 5 job that I hated unfortunately. So I thought to myself, “hmm maybe l can do Locs on the side until l figure out a way to make it full time”. While l was still employed with the finance company l worked for at the time l asked God, “please show me a sign on which way I’m supposed to go”. When l prayed that prayer l had no idea the universe would move so fast on showing me my purpose and guiding my footsteps. When l originally created the StyleSeat account l was very nervous to show my work and skills because l had never charged anyone to do their hair nor had I run a business before! I got my Llc Jan 15, 2020 and got my first client who called me on Jan 21 while I was on lunchbreak from the finance company. l was so terrified in fact that when the client called to book with me l hung up on her because l was so nervous and afraid to take on such a new challenge. I didn’t know what to expect so many things were running through my mind! like, what if I don’t do her hair correctly? What if she hates it? What if she doesn’t want to lean over the sink for the wash? What if I have to pass gas? I mean you name it and I could bet it crossed my mind! After traveling back to the office from the wing spot down the road I gained the courage to call her back and she came to my house later on that evening and was so satisfied with the outcome of her hair that it brightened my spirits tremendously. So much so, that l quit my 9-5 at the finance company, made business cards, and started passing them out to every single person with Locs that l could find in any location. Rather the grocery store or church I gave out my business card. It was a rough patch after that first client because I did not have another one for almost 3 weeks. I was freaking out to say the least I had no one else until I started putting myself out there more. I created an Instagram account I stopped using StyleSeat and started using Booksy and boy did that change things for me. In July 2020 I started with one client a day and then eventually went to two clients a day, which then eventually went to 4 to 6 people per day! It was in that moment I decided I hmm have enough clientele now and I’d rather not work from home any longer. It was time to upgrade my workspace. Now it’s been almost 3 years and I am a salon suite owner and I love it! I won The Best Loctician Award in San Antonio in 2021. I have just published my first book, called Loc It & Love It which is a loc journey journal to help women embrace their natural beauty. It is available on Amazon and this is my second news article featuring my business, what can I say? I am extremely grateful and proud of myself & growth. It is only going up from here. I have so much more to learn, and so much further to go.

Stephanie, 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?

My name is Stephanie, but I am best known as Goldie. The name of my business is Goldie Loc’s Natural Strands, LLC. I opened my business in January 2020 and have been successfully running for almost 3 years now. I specialize in all loc services from starting Locs to helping maintain them to stay nice and healthy. I am so grateful for taking a leap of faith especially during such a tragic time in the world. Working for myself has become the best decision l have ever made. The world shut down due to covid 19 right at the peak of 2020 and all the beauty shops closed down along with the rest of the world, Spirit intuition led me into becoming an entrepreneur by opening up my home to service clients. I have come such a long way since those days of being an at home stylist that now I can teach classes on how to run a successful business. I would like for all of my existing as well as potential clients to know that I take pride in my business. It is like my baby that I birthed, and it is evolving just as I am. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to make it successful. I would also like to say that you will never have to worry about unprofessionalism or not being satisfied. If anyone is ever unsatisfied l will rectify the situation with urgency and put all worries at ease. In this business you must have discipline and be eager to always learn and steadily perfect your craft. I am constantly taking classes, teaching classes and learning new things to pass on to the next person. I am working on some very neat projects right now so definitely stay tuned and be on the lookout for more from Goldie Loc’s Natural Strands, LLC.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What helped build my reputation within my market would be creating rapport with my clients. And being my truest self during client interaction. Having those deep conversations and being a listening ear helps people feel comfortable and it can enhance their experience! Also having a great workspace and my zen atmosphere did wonders for my business. It makes it very easy for clients to want to return. They feel safe and at ease. I even offer silent appointments because Afterall, being a hair stylist is more than just that, it’s being a counselor, therapist, and a reliable source for positivity. Times are pretty hard right now with everything going on in the world, so offering affordable prices sets me apart because I also have a family and responsibilities so I remain humble because the Most High will always see fit that I am abundantly blessed.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I’d say Instagram has been the best source of new clientele for my business. It has helped me reach people not only in San Antonio but surrounding areas such as: Dallas, Austin, Victoria and Del Rio. Putting myself out there on social media was way out of my comfort zone. It was tough at first especially not being involved with the popularity of having social media. Heck, I was still living in the stone ages before someone showed me that IG was the way to make it and really excel. Now I am being rewarded tremendously for the dedication and consistency of making daily content and keeping up with the new trends. It has even opened up my personality more and made public speaking a much easier task for me. The best part is me being able to showcase my skills, business, and art! Not to mention making worldwide connections.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goldielocstx.com
• Instagram: Goldie_luvs_locs222
• Other: https://a.co/d/d0XQ7qx

Image Credits
Rachel Anthony