I wanted to talk about my story.
A lot of people don’t know that I’m a licensed cosmetologist. My dream since the early 2000s was to do hair. My mom’s hairstylist growing up was AH-mazing. I thought she was the coolest person on the planet! I wanted to be just like her. So, from then on, I KNEW all I ever wanted to be was a hairstylist.
When I graduated high school in 2013, I applied to go to beauty school. I was determined to be the absolute best. I studied hard and passed all of my tests with flying colors. I nailed my State Board exams and was on my way to my dreams. I applied to a few salons and none of them really vibed with me. I was talking to my friend one day who was in barbering school at the time and he told me I needed to talk with Barbi at the SALON of Florence. I took a chance and brought in my resume, BEYOND intimidated, knowing Barbi’s reputation of owning a successful, high end salon. I was hired! I started my position as Barbi’s associate in the beginning of 2015. My life will never be the same. I remember being absolutely terrified and overwhelmed, but so blessed to have the extra training under my belt on my way to becoming a stylist, learning the ropes of physically doing hair, but also scheduling and check outs. I spent a year doing that, and slowly realizing that being an independent stylist may not be my jam, and I LOVE running the front operations.
In early 2017 we decided that I should handle everything from scheduling, to check outs, to client interactions full time and I LOVE it! I feel like I was made for this type of position. Can it be hard? Yes. Can it be very stressful? YES. But I can’t tell you how much I’ve grown in this position, as an employee and as a person. I don’t JUST schedule appointments, I talk to you and try to pair you with the perfect stylist based on what you want, your availability and your personality. Your beauty match-maker, if you will.
Due to the fact that I am licensed, I can help you answer questions, make recommendations and overall understand what your hair dreams are. I am the first and last person you see when you’re in the SALON. I love seeing you come in and leave a totally different person. My favorite part of being here is seeing the confidence that we provided you, giving you your dream hair and making sure you have an amazing experience.
I have grown so much in these last 5 years of being a part of this team. I went from being a shy, 19-year-old, starting my dream job, having a mild crisis because I wasn’t sure that’s what I wanted to do anymore, to finding my niche. Being a part of a team salon is so rewarding. I know that the girls here have my back and will help me 24/7, and I help them too. You’ll often have your stylist ask for formula opinions from one another, pick up a blow dryer and help with a blow dry, or help however is needed. We aren’t just coworkers, we’re family.
Here's to YOUR great hair day,
Bekah Brown, Operations Manager
