Today we’d like to introduce you to Helena Gibson.
Hi Helena, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story really began with my mom.
In the late 1990s, I watched her struggle with thinning hair, and I remember going with her to local wig shops hoping to find a solution that would help her feel like herself again. But what stood out to me most was not just the lack of options, it was the lack of empathy.
The shop owners seemed focused on the transaction, but they did not seem to fully understand the emotional toll hair loss was taking on her. I could see how vulnerable she felt, and I remember thinking, “Women deserve more than this. They deserve to be seen, supported, and reminded that they are not alone.”
That experience stayed with me and became the foundation for Strut Hair Solutions, which I founded in 2002. I started small, with a kiosk in the mall, simply to test the market and see if there were other women who needed the kind of experience I had wished existed for my mom. Within a year, the response was so strong that I opened my first store.
From the very beginning, my mission was never just about hair. It was about restoring confidence, dignity, and a sense of identity for women going through one of the most personal challenges of their lives. Over the years, Strut Hair Solutions has grown from that small kiosk into a trusted resource for women experiencing hair loss, including clients navigating medical hair loss, alopecia, thinning hair, and other emotional transitions.
What has carried me forward is the same thing that inspired me in the beginning: the belief that every woman deserves to feel beautiful, understood, and empowered in her appearance.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I do not think the entrepreneurial road is ever completely smooth. There are always challenges, but I believe the true test of an entrepreneur is learning how to turn those struggles into opportunities and growth.
One of the biggest challenges has been finding the right team members. In our industry, skill matters, but heart matters just as much. We work with women who are often going through a very emotional and vulnerable time, so it takes a special person to not only do the job well, but to lead with compassion, patience, and empathy.
When I find those A-player team members, I do everything I can to support and keep them happy. I truly believe happy team members create happy clients. Culture is everything, especially in a business built around trust and care.
Another challenge has been finding affordable locations, especially in the San Diego market. Retail rents can be extremely expensive, and I think that pressure is one of the reasons many small businesses struggle to survive. I have learned to be very cautious and intentional when signing leases. I always make sure the business can sustain the commitment, even during slower seasons.
Those challenges have taught me to be disciplined, resourceful, and protective of the mission. Growth is exciting, but sustainable growth matters more. Every decision has to support the long-term health of the business, the team, and the clients we serve.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Strut Hair Solutions ?
What we do is very personal. We help women find customized hair replacement with solutions including wigs, toppers, and extensions, that allow them to look and feel like themselves again.
But what we are really known for is the way we care for our clients through the process. That is what led me to create the Strut Signature Discovery Session, a personalized five-step experience designed to help each woman feel educated, supported, and confident in her decision to wear an invest in alternative hair solutions.
During the session, we take the time to understand each client’s hair needs, lifestyle, and hair goals. From there, we educate her on the best possible options for her unique situation. Because our team members are licensed cosmetologists, we are also able to customize her chosen piece to fit her face shape, personal style, and daily lifestyle. Finally, we teach her how to care for her new hair so it continues to look and feel its best.
This is our major differentiator.
We are not a traditional wig shop, and we are not a typical salon. For many of our clients, the right solution is not just about beauty, its about confidence, dignity, privacy, and feeling in control again.
I am also very proud that Strut Hair Solutions serves women in many different circumstances, from women navigating cancer treatment to women experiencing genetic thinning, alopecia, postpartum hair loss, or hair changes due to aging or stress. Every woman’s story is different, and every solution should be personal.
What I want readers to know is that hair loss is more common than people think, and no woman should feel ashamed or isolated because of it. There are beautiful, natural-looking solutions available, and there is a place where you can be met with compassion, discretion, and real expertise.
At Strut Hair Solutions, we do not just restore hair. We help restore confidence and we’ll have you “Strutting out in no time”
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think anyone who owns a brick-and-mortar business is taking a risk every single day. There are so many variables you cannot fully control. Weather can affect appointments. The economy can affect how clients spend. When prices go up, clients may still come in, but they might wear their current hair longer or be more cautious with what they invest in.
Someone recently asked me if I gamble, and my response was, “I gamble every day, I own a business.” I said it jokingly, but there is a lot of truth in that.
There are also the daily risks that come with leading a team. Employees can quit without notice, come in late, or have personal challenges that disrupt the flow of the store and the rest of the team. As a business owner, you are constantly making decisions, solving problems, and adapting in real time.
One of the bigger risks I took recently was opening our new location in Cardiff by the Sea (Encinitas). There were so many questions that came with that decision, is the town too small, will clients from farther south still drive a little farther north, will our longtime Solana Beach clients find us and follow us to the new space?
Ultimately, I decided to take the risk because I believed in the long-term vision. But I did not take it lightly. I thought through the scenarios, the challenges, and what I would do if things did not go exactly as planned.
That is how I view risk. I do take risks, but I try to take calculated risks. I think through what could go wrong, prepare as much as possible, and then trust myself to figure it out. Entrepreneurship has taught me that you cannot eliminate risk, but you can build resilience, make thoughtful decisions, and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://struthairsolutions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strutwigs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrutHairSolutions
