Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Meade.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a hairstylist. I cut my bangs for the first time at the age of four. I did it while hiding under my bed because my mom said I couldn’t have bangs. My love for hair grew as I got older, coloring mine and my friend’s hair, as well as creating fun styles for school dances.
I chose a unique route to become a licensed cosmetologist. In 2005, I began the San Diego Cosmetology Apprenticeship program, a two-year program of working full time in the salon and attending a few monthly classes to complete my hours. I learned a lot from my trainer, but I decided halfway through to go to Cosmetology school to “finish” my hours. Unfortunately, none of my hours transferred, so I started from scratch. By spring 2007, I had completed my hours, graduated, and earned my license.
I’ve been at my current salon for over nine years. I still love my career with the same amount of passion and wonder as I did when I started.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a rough road in the beginning. Straight out of school and freshly licensed I began as a self-employed stylist at an adorable salon in El Cajon, CA. All was going great until the recession hit, hard. There I was, a year in, a newlywed, and 85% of my clientele just lost their jobs, some even moving out of state. I struggled along for another year before leaving for a commission salon that was inside the Hotel Del Coronado. It was tough to leave because I loved my salon and all the stylists, but I had to support my husband and me.
I spent about four months of working super crazy hours and the long drive to Coronado. It was very draining and I honestly can say I thought about giving up hair, until a coworker and I found another salon. One where I could build a clientele, grow within my craft, and have normal hours.
I’ve been at Strands Salon in Rancho Bernardo for over nine years. It was a slow go because when I started the recession was still in full swing, but I’m very thankful I had the patience (more so my husband talked me out of doing anything rash) to push forward and wait out the recession. I’ve grown an amazing clientele and look forward to meeting many new guests.
The best advice I could give to a new stylist is to have patience and work hard. In this industry, 90% of all newly licensed stylist will give up before their 5-year mark. That’s crazy to me. I believe that part of that is due to our need for instant gratification. As a society, we have lost our will to wait things out. I see it a lot with a new stylist, they will start at the salon and quit in less than four months because they weren’t immediately fully booked, making money hand over fist. don’t get me wrong, that can happen, but that is due to pure luck. For the rest of us, it takes work. Promoting yourself, educating yourself, and going the extra mile for your clients. You need to elevate your client’s experience and customer service. While you do all that, you also wait for the payoff. It won’t happen overnight, but you will be able to look back at one point and say “It worked. it really worked!”
What should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I feel so blessed to work with two amazing product lines, AVEDA and EUFORA (San Diego based company) Both lines are plant-derived, no artificial fragrance or Parfums, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free. I specialize in Dimensional Color, Balayage, Extensions, and Haircutting. I love being able to create a custom color for each guest that fits their personality and lifestyle.
Hair is an accessory you can not take off! I’ve seen some hair that has put a damper on the way people view themselves. It truly warms my heart when the appointment is over and my guests look at their hair, you can see it in their eyes when the outside finally matches the way they feel on the inside.
I would like to think my guests would say I’m known for my blonde hair that changes slightly between each of their visits, my sense of humor, my ” I can make it happen attitude”, as well as my adventurous spirit. (Don’t joke about purple hair to me. I’ll convince you it’s what you need in your life and then, we will be on a unicorn/mermaid color journey!)
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Be true to yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Love yourself and the rest will follow.
Pricing:
- Base Color $85+
- Balayage $225+
- Haircut $55
Contact Info:
- Address: Strands Salon
11960 Bernardo Plaza Dr.
San Diego, CA 92128 - Website: strandssalonspa.com
- Phone: (858)673-1100
- Email: allisonleighm@hotmai.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmeade_hairstyling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmeadehairstyling/
Image Credit:
Allison Meade
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