We recently connected with Victoria Small and have shared our conversation below.

Victoria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Honestly, I love owning my own business. I feel we are truly filling a need in our community. The reality of thinking if I need to leave and get a nine to five is minimally once a week. My wife and I joke about “Why do we own our own business?” or “Maybe I could go back to a regular degular job and be okay.” I have moments where I cry in the backroom because I am overwhelmed. I come home throwing tantrums like a child because I feel so frustrated and that nobody hears me. Owning a business is not as glorious as it seems. I don’t have extra time to hang out with my family, see the kids’ sports, go on trips, etc. It is time consuming and a lot of hard work. There’s paperwork, marketing, inventory, janitorial, and so many other positions you play as the owner just starting up. You go into debt trying to start up too. Not to mention the time you will have to put in to even revenue money. What makes it worth it is knowing you are helping people. You cannot start a business in the mindset of just making money, you have to be in business to help others. I love what I do and I would not change being a business owner.

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

About me? Oh boy, well my name is Victoria Small I am the owner of Fade Babe in Bellevue Iowa. I got into the hair and beauty industry on a dare. My friend and I were living together at the time both working for competing big box companies. She approached me one day and said, “I’m thinking about going to hair school.” When I tell you I looked at her like she was as dumb as a box of rocks, man, I just laughed and told her,”Okay, I’m not.” For a few weeks she tried to convince me with how we can go into business together, but I had all of the objections. Finally, I caved and agreed to do the two week trial and see if I liked it. On day one of the trial, she didn’t show. I called her at break and was ready to cuss her out. She had found a full-time job with benefits and dared me to finish the two weeks. So I did and fell in love with the industry almost immediately. I found out there were more locations away from my home town to start over fresh, and that’s exactly what I did. I graduated Capri College in 2016 and over the next couple years I worked at different types of salons. In that time I was still young, maturity wise, and didn’t really know what I wanted. From January of 2018 to December of 2019 I had some life altering events happen that led up to the discipline and business I have today. I got sober from alcohol and published for the first time in 2018. I thought I had made it. So I left the industry and worked a factory job for awhile. December of 2019 I was in a terrible car accident that almost took my life. I was told by my doctors, “Good thing you’re a hairstylist, because you cannot work a regular job again due to your brain injury.” My wife introduced me to her barber at the time and we clicked right away. I rented a chair at her shop in 2020 with two people who wanted to see me succeed. I built a clientele during the pandemic and now own my own shop. Those two years were difficult, but my wife stood by my side and still does when I have rough days. At Fade Babe, we are a walk-in basis shop. We specialize in men’s grooming and healthy hair. Just like a barbershop, you can walk -in to get a haircut and hang out while you wait. We also offer color, Brazilian Blowouts, hair extensions, etc. We have an esthetician who offers body waxing, facials, and lashes currently. What sets us apart is the walk-ins. I will sit in the shop ten to twelve hour days to to have flexibility for the people in our community.
For our men’s line we carry STMNT. This was created by three barbers, is a vegan line, and has three distinct smells for each creator. We also carry Olaplex, Brazilian Blowout, and IGK. All of our products are vegan to ensure low allergy risk and to keep the hair and scalp as healthy as possible.

Any advice for managing a team?

You as an owner set the standard. If you cut corners or bring nonsense from your personal life into the job then your team will as well. Have open discussions with them about expectations, goals, and the steps to get there. Listen to your teams ideas and have them have a plan for the ideas so you are all contributing and working together. If your team doesn’t feel like they are helping towards the end goal then why do they want to work for you?

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I only read self help books and listen to business related podcasts. Whether the podcast covers parts in my industry, marketing, or even how to deal with mental health. Constantly learning and being able to pivot will help your business and personal life tremendously. My favorite books are Crazy Faith by Michael Todd, You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero, and The Emotionally Intelligent Leader by Daniel Goleman. My favorite podcasts are Real AF by Andy Frisella, Create Your Own Light by Travis Howze, and Rich Dad Radio Show by Robert Kiyosaki.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://fadebabe.godaddysites.com
• Instagram: fade_babe_barbershop
• Facebook: Fade Babe Barbershop

Image Credits
I own the rights