Today we’d like to introduce you to Louanne Ferro.
Hi Louanne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always known that I wanted to be a hairstylist. Every night when I was young my mom would sit on the floor during her evening Jeopardy viewing and I would stand on the sofa and play with her hair. I started cutting and coloring my friend’s hair in my parent’s kitchen when I was in High School. Two days after I graduated high school I started a cosmetology apprenticeship program. I instantly fell in love with the history of hair and how it played such a vital role not only in society but how we perceive ourselves.
At the age of 19, I started working for the large beauty manufacturer, TIGI because I believed in supporting my fellow stylists. I spent a decade guiding their makeup department and then transitioned into teaching hair colour. When I started teaching colour I felt a deep calling to truly understand the chemical side to what I do all day. I’m currently back in college taking chemistry and now have a position with Evo hair care where I help lead the Colour Team in North America. I am a one-woman business but multi-faceted. When you come to LaunchPad. A Salon and sit in my chair, my goal for you will always be to not only make you look good, but also feel good. I will always be honest and I will set us up for success.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t believe life ever gives us a smooth road. I, like any other person, have been met with challenges. It’s okay to feel defeated but I do believe that it’s in those moments we can grow and see the biggest leaps and gains. Covid was and is one of the biggest struggles I’ve encountered as a business owner. In San Diego, during the year of 2020, salons were shut down 181 days. If we would have made it to 182, it would have been half the year. It felt like a very defeating time for my business. I felt like what I needed the most during that time was connection.
I missed what I did and I missed my clients. I decided to create a campaign called “holding out for my hair dresser”. I pledged to not color or cut my hair at home until I could see my clients again. Instead, I made hats and sold them to my clients. Who would have thought a hairdresser would be selling hats? But it’s what made sense to me – and I sold A LOT of them, I also wrote words of encouragement to my clients every week via email and they wrote back. They bought products, pre-paid, purchased gift cards, and sent monetary donations. I kept trying to find ways to support them and they in return really supported me. This struggle has taught me that human connection is such a powerful gift we’re each given. When you are valued and accept the support of others, beautiful things can be accomplished.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My dad once told me “treat every customer like they’re your first customer.” When you come to LaunchPad. A Salon and sit in my chair I will always start off our consultation almost like we’ve never met before. I do not subscribe to the status-quo consultation that goes something like this: “same thing as last time?” We all evolve and so should our image. I am a teacher and I often have the mindset of a scientist. My clients often joke and say “Louanne knows the why behind all the hair questions and she’ll most likely give you hair homework.” Haha! I do take great pride in what I do and it’s my job to make sure you can style your hair without me. I believe the combination of listening, knowledge, and teaching is a large factor that set me apart from others.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
It’s quite simple really, I will always have more to learn.
Contact Info:
- Email: LaunchPadSalon@gmail.com
- Website: www.LouanneFerro.com
- Instagram: @LaunchPadSalon
