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

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

At Girl Who Glows Salon and Salon Suites, we pride ourselves on breaking away from the traditional norms of the salon industry, particularly in the Black salon community. One of the most significant gaps we’ve noticed is the lack of strong leadership, mentorship, and guidance when it comes to building a truly scalable and sustainable beauty business.

In many cases, stylists enter the industry without the proper business training or mentorship they need to grow their careers beyond day-to-day appointments. This often leads to burnout, financial instability, and frustration as they struggle to balance their craft with the demands of running a business. The focus tends to be solely on skill development, with little emphasis on creating systems, building a loyal client base, or scaling their business for long-term success.

At Girl Who Glows, we aim to change that. We offer much more than just a space to work—we provide mentorship, community, and business training to all of our stylists. Whether they are new to the industry or seasoned professionals, our goal is to help them see beyond the chair and build businesses that allow for both personal and professional growth.

We are dedicated to creating a new generation of stylists who not only believe in professionalism and treating their clients well but also prioritize their personal development and long-term business success. By revamping the old ways and introducing systems that promote sustainability, community, and growth, we are reshaping the beauty industry and empowering stylists to lead thriving, fulfilling careers.

This commitment to leadership and mentorship sets us apart in an industry that often overlooks the importance of these pillars, and it’s the reason we’re passionate about fostering a culture of excellence and longevity in the Black salon industry.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been a stylist for 15 years, leaving my hometown of Brooklyn, New York I moved to Virginia to pursue my hair career.

After relocating, I obtained my cosmetology license from the Asther Institute in Hampton, VA, which was a pivotal moment that set the foundation for my future in the beauty industry. My passion for the craft and love for helping others eventually led me to coaching stylists in 2018.

As a Coach, I specialize in helping beauty professionals start, grow, and scale their businesses. What sets me apart is my unique approach—one that goes beyond just the technical aspects of running a beauty business. I work with my clients to align their business with God’s vision, helping them create a solid structure, market effectively and consistently, all without feeling overwhelmed. I believe that when your business is rooted in something bigger than yourself, it becomes easier to achieve both success and personal fulfillment.

The thing I’m most proud of is the amazing stylists I get to work with every day. They face incredible challenges but continuously show up, willing to build new mindsets and embrace the journey of becoming the women God is calling them to be in their current season. Watching them transform not only their businesses but also their lives is a constant source of inspiration.

For anyone who’s considering working with me, I want them to know that I’m here to provide guidance that’s rooted in faith, structure, and growth. My mission is to help beauty professionals reach their full potential, both in business and in their personal lives.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience on social media by simply showing up every day. Consistency was key in the beginning, but as I grew, I learned how to market myself authentically and in a way that didn’t lead to burnout. Once I embraced who I truly am, I realized that creating content to attract the right people didn’t have to be overwhelming. It became more about connecting with my audience, sharing value, and being genuine, rather than trying to follow trends or meet unrealistic expectations.

For new stylists or anyone starting to build a social media presence, my advice is to own your lane. Be yourself online and don’t be afraid to step outside of the box. Authenticity will always draw in the right people. Remember, there are clients out there who genuinely need what you offer. Your responsibility is to make yourself findable, but that doesn’t mean you have to show up in a way that causes stress or burnout. Prioritize quality over quantity and stay true to your voice. You’ll build an audience that truly connects with you when you focus on being authentic rather than perfect.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

As a Coach, I stay in touch with all of my clients by ensuring they feel supported and valued throughout their journey. I believe in providing an incredible experience that not only helps them achieve real results but also shows them that I genuinely care about their success. Fostering brand loyalty has always been a priority for me, and it started when I was behind the chair as a stylist. My goal was to make sure every client felt welcome, appreciated, and received not only an amazing service but also high-quality work they could rely on.

I encourage and teach all of my coaching clients to do the same by focusing on creating unforgettable client experiences. When you go the extra mile and consistently overdeliver, clients will naturally want to keep coming back. Building that kind of connection with clients is key to growing a successful and sustainable business, and it’s something I emphasize in all my coaching—prioritizing both the technical side of the work and the relational side to ensure clients feel deeply cared for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theglowcoach.info
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IAMTHEGLOWCOACH
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlowCoach

Image Credits

Paris The Photographer
Austin Bouthillet – Armaloo Photography