February 21, 2024

I chuckle at myself and my difficulty with writing, considering how I used to whip up 10 page thesis papers over a few hours before they were due for my college classes. Oh how we change. But change is good. I still cringe, thinking back to how I was in college. I visited the campus earlier today for my day off. I mulled over what could have been if I had taken a business major instead. Who knew that 12 years later I would be running my own salon and making long term plans for this business? Who knew how involved I would become in my neighborhood? Who knew how priorities would change? But here we are.

Earlier this year, I pulled everything from the salon and surrounding space, and with my husband’s help we finished the floors. Sealing these with a garage epoxy was the final step needed from State Board of Cosmetology. With that complete, I am ready to send off my paperwork and have my salon inspected. Unfortunately, I need to find the paperwork that I already filled out. Remember how I moved everything? Yes…. I managed to misplace the most critical piece of paper in that moving process. Well, the best way to find it is to reprint it, refill out the information, and send off a fresh document. Once I do that, I just know the original will turn up, as these things tend to do. It’s a bit frustrating, but I really am working on rolling with the punches here. I have already done so much for this business! First moving here, it was so difficult to get the shampoo sink installed, and then get industrial piping to work as a stand for the sink. Then I needed to install a locking mechanism to lock the pocket door that separates business from home. Then I needed to hire a professional to install a salon entrance door where a window was, complete with cement steps coming in. Now with the floor complete, all the other things needed are more for personal aesthetic, as opposed to state requirements. I hope to install solar lighting and paver steps to lead the way to the salon entrance, and have an old-styled cloth awning over the door, as well as a porch swing for guests who want to relax in the sun while their color processes. On the inside, I’m still hoping to add floor to ceiling shelves made of industrial piping and wooden planks, bolted to the floor, ceiling and wall. Something to give it a steampunk appearance and an old-time barbershop feel.

What makes me excited in all of this is that its actually coming together. It’s gone beyond a dream, a vision board, a Pinterest inspiration. I’m seeing my dream become a reality. I know its slow-going. I’ve always moved like molasses on everything I’ve ever done. Even college took me 5 years to complete a 4 year degree. But I have the degree. And I have this business. I am so excited to see what the future of The Hairshoppe will hold.

March 7, 2023

Sorting through all my pictures, all the information, all the time stamps, I am reminded of how easily the technical things can be forgotten and replaced with other forms of artistic expression. Would I rather paint or write? Or edit a website that I haven’t touched in over a year? How embarrassing. and I call myself a professional business owner.

November 19th, 2021 I closed on my new home in Broken Arrow, and the very next Thursday I hosted Thanksgiving for my family. It then took almost an entire month to get a plumber to come out and install a shampoo sink for my new salon. What followed was the most difficult year, financially, as the cost of groceries and gas tripled while consistent booking for my salon plummeted. It made sense: how could anyone justify getting their hair done when groceries, gas, and utilities became overwhelming? And so we struggled, while I continued to update a new salon in a new town.

Some positives include new clients and getting solar panels installed to offset the cost of electricity. I saw a few of my favorite clients move out of state for better opportunities, and I saw regulars become color-brave and begin to experience new, fun colors. Each setback was met with a positive opportunity. Each opportunity met with follow-through.

I still feel the stress as things are not complete. March 7th, 2023 and I don’t have a furnished floor, nor a separate entrance for the salon. But I have to keep looking at the progress I’ve made thus far. A whole room (a renovated walk-in closet) dedicated as a shampoo station. A significantly larger salon space with décor near completion. A much larger bathroom for guests. A larger parking space for clients to feel at ease when arriving.

It is progress, it is just slow progress. And I am making peace with that.

I have decided to add a blog to my website to show honest and vulnerable updates as I go, to create a safe, transparent space for new guests to get a more in-depth feel of what I have to offer. I’m hoping to update weekly or at least bi-weekly.

I was locked out of the website for over a year and saw a number of emails for potential clients that I missed. It grieves my heart. Messaging my Facebook page and text messages continue to be the best method of reaching me, but I do hope to be more involved in this website now that I’m more settled in a new space. Thank you for your patience, thank you for seeing me, and (as always) thank you for entrusting me with your hair. It is an honor.