Fashion and Beauty Marketing 101 - From Hair Stylist to Salon Owner Millie Hill
You don’t see the following posted on many hair stylist’s facebook page too often.
DEAR CUSTOMERS 💇 💆 I'M COMPLETELY BOOKED FOR THE WEEK. PLEASE MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENTS FOR NEXT WEEK. THANKS IN ADVANCE (smiley face)
I don’t know if it is a VA thing but one industry that seems to be doing well is the hair industry. Unlike other industries in the 757, there’s a surplus of clients and if you work hard you can succeed. This week in Fashion and Beauty Marketing 101 we take a look at Millie Hill’s successful journey from hair stylist to salon owner.
How did you first get into the hair business?
When I was a child I had always been obsessed with doing hair and once I got to the age of 13 I started shampooing for my aunt Millie Brown. She showed me everything I needed to know about styling and caring for hair.
What is your educational background?
I graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in 2001 and I Started beauty school after I had my son in July 2003. I started at Hicks Beauty Academy in August 2003 and that's where I had the best instructors on the world. Mrs Stephanie Ladeutt is an excellent hair cutting instructor. Also, Mrs Debra Lang taught me to be very confident in my work and step out of my comfort zone. Mrs Robinson is the one who taught me the theory part and she was very detailed in every chapter and very good with hands on projects. I graduated in April 2004.
Detail your journey from hair stylist to salon owner.
In August 2005 a man by the name of “Wood T" had come into my part-time job at 7-11. He asked me my name and I told him. He was like I know you. I have seen your work. You do hair too right? I said I do I just got out of beauty school and I was in the process of getting my license. He asked if I wanted to rent a booth at his shop for $50 a week I said let me think about it because I didn't have much clientele. I thought about it and decided to do it. I jumped in the shop and bought all of my equipment. Months pass but my clientele was coming in slowly but I kept at it. After awhile my name started getting out there and then I had to quit my part time job. My booth rent went up to $115 a week and my clientele was growing well. I worked at Fresh Cuts for 4 years I felt like the odd ball at the shop because I was the only Stylist in the barber shop and the owner and I wasn't seeing eye to eye. So I left and I worked at a barber shop called Platinum Kuts. The owner of that shop was Mike Dancy. I worked in another room cut off from the rest of the shop. I worked there for 4 years as well. After awhile working there, false accusations made about myself were made which made my clients feel uncomfortable and I started to loose clients that I worked so hard to get so I left. Then I ran into a man named Dwayne Threadgill. He was the owner of a unisex salon called the Rootz. I felt comfortable there. I had worked at the the Rootz for almost 2 years. I only left there because he wasn't interested in signing the lease again. Two weeks before Christmas 2013 is when we found out we had to leave. I was sick to my stomach because I actually liked working there. In January 2014, I started working at Creative Styles and the owner is Shannon Saunders. She gave me a job at her shop which I was very thankful for. My clientele grew extremely large there and I was blessed to have them. As time went on things happened in that shop that I felt were not fair. I expressed myself to the owner about issues within the shop that everyone was complaining about but being no one spoke up but me I started to feel like the outsider and like I didn't belong. In March 2015, I gave her my 30 day notice that I was leaving. April 1, 2015 I opened my own hair salon. It is called Millz Hair Studio and I'm rolling like I never missed a beat.
Did you learn anything by working at the Rootz that shaped your business future?
I learned what to do and what not to do as a business owner. I learned that at all of the shops I worked at. Also, I have learned that being on time as a stylist as well as the client is a very important factor in this business. I learned to be patient and to be firm about your prices. You should charge what you are worth. Also, cleaning everything every day is very important.
If you could travel back in time when you first started doing hair, what advice would you tell yourself?
My advice for anyone starting out is just be confident in what you are doing and stay positive and focused because doing hair isn't for everyone. The money is excellent but you have to know what you are doing and also it helps to have passion for this business. It just makes things go smoothly.
Are you doing any hair shows in the future?
I can see myself and the team I build up will eventually be in hair shows soon.
What business lessons can you share to aspiring hair stylists?
1. Be humble
2. Stay focused
3. Don't argue in front of your clients
4. Stand for what you feel is right
5. Leave all issues that are shop issues in the shop.
6. Be positive
7. Leave all personal issues outside of the shop doors
8. Be professional at all times.
What were three things that helped your business boom?
1. What helped my business was that my clients hairstyles spoke for themselves and word of mouth
2. Social media, having good friends to promote your business,
3. Flyers, business cards etc.
How did you build customer loyalty?
Building loyalty with my clients was easy because I always have what they need. Being very knowledgeable of what the customers wanted and knowing about the hair business is a plus. Always being sure of myself and always making them feel important when they are in need and always give them my undivided attention about their concerns.
List 3 marketing tactics that helped you grow your business.
1. Social media
2. The hairstyles itself
3. Your personal appearance meaning your hair stylist hair should always be done. You can't promote your business if your hair is busted.
List all your social media links, website or other contact info.
Phone:757.241.0506
Email- taezmom@gmail.com
Instagram- Hairbymillz
Facebook - Millie Iznotpressed Hill or Millz Hair Studio
Millz Hair Studio is located at 909 Willis St Suite D Chesapeake VA 23323
Pictures of her her work can be seen below.
