Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharla Fagan.
Sharla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a hairstylist of almost 30 years. I was lucky to know what career I wanted at the age of 17. Throughout the years, I experienced how the industry influenced others on fashion and trends but not a lot about self-care on the inside along with the outside. I myself didn’t realize how important it was until I became a single mom and running a business. I was too busy taking care of others and not having enough energy taking time for myself. My stress level was high and my finances were unsteady. Instead of taking time for me to balance myself and my life, I gave time to unhealthy friendships and relationships. I was spending my extra time with people that energetically were pulling me down instead of lifting me up. They loved my positivity and light but I eventually realized that I wasn’t receiving that back. It took a huge betrayal that shook me to the core enough to finally stand in my own personal power. Once I made that conscious decision to never let anyone take my personal power again, forgave myself for allowing it, and to focus on myself love. I noticed a shift in my life. Money started flowing in more effortlessly, my stress level went down and my fears went away.
At that time my salon Shear Karma was branded as a green non-toxic salon. Beginning of this year, I re-branded as a green holistic salon. Self-care is important in all aspects of your life. Just taking time for yourself reduces stress and raises your vibration which also raises the vibration to people that are around you. Inner beauty is just as important as outer.
In the salon, we talk about self-care and do holistic rituals while doing hair services and teach holistic rituals for home. My purpose is to help others with their self-love, love for others, inner strength, and giving gratitude to everything they are and experience in life.
People think of hairstylists as just doing hair, but I’m also a teacher, life coach, positive motivator, and a friend.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Living in San Diego, it was difficult to raise a child with one income. My daughter was a toddler when I became a single mom. I was not receiving child support and was 100% sole provider for my daughter. I decided to step away from my hairstylist career and joined the corporate world in hopes of a more steady pay and benefits for us. I worked for hair companies that were great money in the beginning and then getting laid off due to company acquisitions or changes in the company.
That’s when Shear Karma was born. My first salon. It was just a studio salon but it was my creation. I choose what I can or cannot make. I create my own schedule around my daughter. Rebuilding a clientele and raising a child was my main focus but was a lot harder than anticipated. I had nights I would cry myself asleep in exhaustion. Stress and worry of becoming homeless. I put my heart, soul, sweat, and tears in building my business. In a span of 3yrs, I built it enough to expand into a bigger space. I found an opportunity of a salon going out of business and jumped in with both feet. I wanted to make a difference in the industry by being a green salon. Three years into that space I still was in the same spot. Still stressed and stretching myself physically and mentally. I was in a toxic relationship and my energy and self-worth was being drained. I sought help to relieve some stress and brought in a business partner. Within a few months of partnership, he stole thousands of dollars from the business and ran it into the ground.
That was my big eye-opener. My biggest life lesson…Stop giving your power away…live in self-worth! I decided then to get back up, dust myself off one last time and keep on moving, knowing that was the last time I will allow myself to get knocked down. It’s been five years since then and my business is rebuilt better than ever and my life is thriving. My life’s challenges only made me a stronger person and now I get to help others do the same.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Shear Karma is a green holistic salon. We recycle 95% of our salon waste and use only products that have nontoxic ingredients. I believe good karma starts within ourselves by creating self-love and self-care on the inside as well as the outside. We also focus the health of our energies by teaching how to unblock or balance chakras with simple holistic practices and protecting ourselves of negative energy from others.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I recommend holistic practices for yourself and create your own self-care ritual. It can be someone motivational or spiritual that you love to listen or watch, reading an uplifting book, taking a relaxing bath, walking in nature or even getting a massage or your hair done. Whatever you love that will give you peace and joy and add it to your daily routine.
Contact Info:
- Email: shearkarma@gmail.com
- Website: shearkarma.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shearkarma/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shear-Karma-1540704479310780/
Image Credits
Marcy Browe Photography
