Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy Broughton.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ever since I can remember I have dreamed of owning a business. When I was 5 to 6 I loaded my parent’s dinner bowls and plates into my radio flyer and went door to door trying to sell them. My mom wasn’t too happy about that, so I had to go collect them from neighbors. (Awkward) When I was about 8 I would take the samples that my mom would bring home from working at Clinique and set them up on an ironing board outside of our home to try to sell.
A few years later when I was in 6th grade I decided to recruit some cool friends to start a massage business called Evolve Massage. That lasted for all of about a day… The plan was to set up shop in tents and give hand massages to people after school, (sketchy, but had the best intentions) I gave one of the teachers a flyer and had to sit down with her and the principal to talk about how the idea was great but maybe not the most appropriate for our age. When I was in high school I attended cosmetology school.
My sister suggested it to me and I looked up to her a lot so decided to roll with it. After high school, I went to Indiana University where I ended up doing hair the whole time. I then dropped out, sold books door to door for the summer in Texas, made enough money to move to Nashville at 19. I have been in forward momentum since then with all things hair and business. I moved out to San Diego 8 years ago.
At first, I was an educator for Paul Mitchell the School San Diego but still had the burning desire to start a business. I always loved teaching and doing men’s hair better than anything else. It felt more natural to me. 5 1/2 years ago when I was 23 with about $500 left on my credit card and my last paycheck of $1,000 something Tailored Hair for Men began. Since then it has been such a journey and we have some really cool things on the horizon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nope, especially the first 3 years of business. I think the beginning of business might be similar to having a kid for the first time. Before you start a business and have kids you dream of all the amazing things that will happen. Where you will travel, what it will feel like, the memories you’ll make… Then those two things pop into reality and at first, you’re riding the highs of it becoming a reality.
No matter what happens, your adrenaline is kicked into high gear and you truly feel that you will be able to sustain the 80-hour, no sleep stressed to the max kind of lifestyle. 1 year later, you then find yourself sitting in your car at a random park with a 5-hour energy drink, about to see the kid… about to go back to work but begin to dream of moving to Bali and renting jet skis to happy tourists all while drinking a margarita and listening to Jack Johnson. You snap back out of it and keep pushing forward.
Year 2 and 3 are the tantrum years for kids and for business. At one point you feel like you’re building an empire… the next moment you’re wondering how you’re even going to make payroll. As crazy as the first few years of business were the few consistent things were the support from our clients, my husband Joe and our Salon Director, Jeri. Year 4 and 5 have been beautiful. There will always be things to learn but nothing quite like the bucking bull you’re riding the first 3 years.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tailored Hair for Men – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in men’s hair. The core service we are known for is our haircut. The experience is 1 hour and it comes with an adult beverage, scalp massage, neck shave, a style with a lesson on how to do it when they are at home and a freshly baked cookie!
What sets us apart is what I am most proud of… The team we have. They love what they do and really love working with one another. It shows in their craft. If you’re happy you naturally do better work. I am also proud to attract such a cool group of clients. They have become some of our closest friends and mentors.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We have some really cool plans next year… Stay tuned. 🙂
Pricing:
- Haircut $55 +
- Straight Razor Shave $40
- Grey Blending $35+
- Relaxer $35+
- Waxing $10+
- Facial $45
Contact Info:
- Address: 350 11th Ave Unit 125 San Diego, CA 92101
- Website: tailoredhairformen.com
- Phone: 8584447814
- Email: lizzy@tailoredhairformen.com
- Instagram: tailoredsd
- Facebook: tailoredsd
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tailored-hair-for-men-san-diego-3
Image Credit:
Dai Vinci, Spencer Whiting, Charlie Vergara
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
