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

Alright, Zoë thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Being in an industry like mine means it’s super crucial to have some form of “hustle.” For me I was able to create a living within 6 months of being a full-time hairstylist because I utilized social media interaction + content, word of mouth, referrals, and business cards. I attribute a lot of my success to the fact that I joined an apprenticeship program from the very beginning. I made a little above minimum wage + some tips which was really difficult to live on, but because of the knowledge and experience I gained & once I was more secure in my skills I was able to build quickly because the few clients I had could feel that. I also think a key to building is to be on top of all of your numbers, meaning your service sales, product sales, and rebooking. I have goals that I try to hit each day and by keeping track of everything it makes it easier to see where you need to improve. Finally, building a relationship with your clients is probably the most important thing of all. So many of my clients also feel like friends and that builds a relationship of trust which is so important when working with hair.

Zoë, 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?

For those who have never met me, I’m Zoë! I’m a hairstylist here in ATX specializing in razor cuts (specifically shags, mullets, and lots of layers), lived-in blonding, and vivid colors.

I found myself in this career after taking a semester of classes at ACC and realizing it really wasn’t for me. Knowing that many graduates do not even acquire a job in their degree field these days really put me off from the idea of college. Not only that, but I also really had no idea what I wanted to study. It was a little shocking to come to this realization because I had always thought I would be the type to go to community college, transfer to a bigger school, and earn a “big-girl degree.” After a lot of contemplation I soon came to the conclusion that cosmetology school sounded like something that would suit me. Growing up my parents had always allowed me to express myself through my hair + makeup, so that kicked off the initial inspiration. I also liked the idea that I could be my authentic self, be creative on a daily basis, and have freedom that a typical corporate job wouldn’t allow me in a lot of ways.

Ever since then I’ve followed my dream and have been doing hair! What sets me apart from others would probably be my cutting style, communication style, and true passion for hair health. I think finding what you are good at and expanding on that is a really great way to get your name out there. I don’t departmentalize because I love doing a little bit of everything, but there are definitely services I am known to do more of than others. I am very direct in communication and love taking the time to have a thorough consultation. I am a Capricorn so I love lists, planning, and making sure we are on the same page. I think it’s so important to understand one another before beginning any services and setting expectations from the beginning. My goal is for you to feel better after leaving my chair and take knowledge/skills home with you that are easy to understand and recreate day to day.

I want potential clients reading this to know that I find so much happiness in creating art for them to enjoy every day in the hopes that it will raise their confidence in ways they have never felt. We hold so much energy in our hair and I think it can be so therapeutic to change it. I love creating a professional but enjoyable experience for my guests and want them to feel comfortable no matter who they are!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is so crucial in this day and age for any business. The key to building an engaging following is to understand the algorithm of all the different socials out there. For me instagram + tiktok have been huge game changers. Reels and tiktoks are so popular because they are short, entertaining, and engaging. It can be exhausting trying to wear every hat at once but creating content really is a priority for me. That is how potential clients can instill an initial sense of trust in my abilities without even talking to me! I also always make it a point to tell each person I talk to about my social media and many times they will follow right then and there. It’s a great tool for people if they ever have any questions or need to reach out directly.

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

Tying into the previous question, instagram is the #1 tool I use to communicate with my clients. I always let them know that my DM’s are open any time they need anything. I also love to engage with them when they post about other things going on in their lives and it can be a great way to build a connection and start conversations in the future. However at the end of the day their loyalty to me is completely their own choice. I make a conscious effort to always learn + grow, and to take my clients feedback and improve with each appointment. Doing hair is an art form and I believe every person does things a little differently according to their style, and just like any other art people are attracted to different things.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justsnippin/?hl=en
• Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justsnippin