We recently connected with Valerie Frazee and have shared our conversation below.

Valerie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

I wanted to be an actress for as long as I can remember. My theatre teacher, Gus, believedd in me. He saw something in me that I could not. He went out on a limb and recommended that I audition for a scholarship at a small school in Carthage. I sent in a tape back when that was not a thing and well before the digital media we know now. Somehow, I got in. Not only did he help me there, but his brother had small business across the street my school. Gus and his family took me in as one of their own. Now thing led to another and I need up in the hair industry. When Gus passed away, I was so lost, So, I thank him every day by being successful at what I do.

Valerie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my way into the beauty industry through theatre. I was doing a lot of hair and makeup behind the scenes and I discovered that I was really good at it. I decided to got o cosmetology school and work my way through college. I was also privileged enough to do hair and makeup for film and even had a day player role in the show American Crime as a hair stylist. Somewhere along my journey I discovered passion for curly hair. My salon specializes in all textures of hair. We aim to help our salon guests understand their curls and how to take care of them. We also love science and how it relates to our job, Understanding how our chemicals and how our products work enable us to teach our salon guests what they need to take care of their hair. We enjoy what we do and we take joy in every happy guest.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When the pandemic hit in 2020, we had not been open a year. I was terrified to say the least. Because of the size of our business, we did not qualify for some of the assistance that larger businesses did. We got creative, We sold styling products to our salon guests and delivered them to their doors. We did zoom consultations to help them take care of their hair until ew could open back up. We also applied for multiple grants from the City of Round Rock to keep our doors open. We worked one day at a time and when we reopen the doors, we made it seem as normal as possible. We still had fun and engaged with our salon guests, Coming to get their hair done was the one normal thing we could share in an abnormal situation.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I don’t know that we have had any one strategy for growing, We love what we do. We do everything we can to make this place a fun environment. We are a small salon that focuses on serving our guests. It’s really about who is in our chair. We laugh when they laugh and cry when they cry. We strive to be a safer space for our community and believe that diversity is the key too our success. We love people. We love to take take care if our people. It’s just one day at a time and one person at a time. It’s all about showing up for who sits in our chair.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.themirrorandi.com
• Instagram: @themirrorandiroundrock
• Facebook: The Mirror and I Salon
• Youtube: Val Frazee A.K.A Frazee Curls

Image Credits
Head shots by Natasha Straley