Today we’d like to introduce you to Lina Franklin.
Hi Lina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Back when I was twelve, all the guys in my neighborhood were into the Allen Iverson-style braids. Being a self-taught braid stylist, I saw an opportunity to offer my services for a fee, and that’s exactly what I started doing. Even though hair coloring and styling was a hobby that continued to follow me into high school, at that point I had not really contemplated pursuing cosmetology on a professional level. It took about four years of mostly part-time employment for me to realize that retail management was of little to no interest to me and that I needed to explore other options. One day it suddenly dawned on me to give beauty school a try and I applied for cosmetology courses that very same day.
Throughout cosmetology school, I was able to hone my skills and truly define what I liked most about the industry. Before ever working with the public, I knew I was destined to be a haircut specialist. Upon graduation, I took a job with a well-established, beginner-friendly, high-volume chain of salons (yes, it’s probably the one you’re thinking of) and from there, I worked my way into niche natural hair salons and men’s barbershops until finally landing a place of my very own.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To say that I haven’t struggled a bit along the way would be a lie. One of my biggest obstacles has been reaching a broad audience and crafting a diverse clientele. Other than a strategic social media presence, I’ve found the best way to accomplish this is through individual appointments. Finding common ground with my clients and laying down each transaction like a brick in order to construct the bigger picture are important facets of my business. The one thing all of my clients have in common is the desire to receive a fantastic haircut.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the creator of Hairscaping; the place you go to receive a specially- crafted cut, gain knowledge about hair care best practices and earn rewards for self-care. At Hairscaping, it’s all about the haircut! My brand is geared toward diversity and celebrating haircuts and hair types of all kinds. I am currently offering memberships and loyalty rewards in an effort to enrich confidence in my clients when it comes to their hair care and styling options.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Almost every decision I make when it comes to my business is a risk. It all comes down to weighing the pros and cons of those decisions. Most recently, I took a risk by upping the prices of my services. I started second-guessing myself and wondering which clients would be put off by the increase. I knew I was making the best decision, but I had to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable backlash to come.
Contact Info:
- Email: Information@hairscaping.com
- Website: www.HAIRSCAPING.com
- Instagram: @Hairscapingco
- Facebook: Hairscaping Co
