Exploring Life & Business with Lindsey Bragg of Between the Shears Hair Salon and Barber Shop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Bragg.

Hi Lindsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really begins long before Between the Shears became what it is today.

I have been in the hair industry for 15 years, and for most of that time, I was building my career one client at a time behind the chair. I started as a stylist with a passion for making people feel confident, but over the years, this industry became so much more than a career for me. It became my independence, my creative outlet, and eventually, my way forward.

For over nine years, I owned an independent salon studio. During that season, I learned what it meant to build something from the ground up — not just the business side, but the relationships, trust, and consistency that come with serving clients year after year. My clients became like family, and my business became one of the few things in my life that truly felt like mine.

A major turning point came when I left a toxic and abusive relationship. I lost almost everything in that chapter of my life, but I still had my daughter, my faith, and my business. At the time, it felt like I was starting over with very little, but looking back, that was the beginning of everything changing.

Leaving that situation allowed me to rebuild my life in a way that was healthy, peaceful, and aligned with who I really am. Since then, both my personal life and my business have flourished. I became stronger, more focused, and more determined to create a future that my daughter could be proud of.

Recently, I took another leap of faith and purchased a barber shop, merging it with my salon business to create Between the Shears Hair Salon and Barber Shop in Acworth. It was a big risk, and honestly, there have been plenty of scary moments, but I knew I wanted to build something meaningful.

Between the Shears was created to be more than just a place to get your hair done. It is a salon and barber shop where men, women, and children all feel welcome. I wanted it to feel relaxed, fun, affordable, and full of heart — a place where clients feel like they are catching up with an old friend while still receiving quality, personalized services.

Today, I am still behind the chair, still growing, and still learning every day. I am also working to build a team culture where stylists and barbers feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to grow. My journey has not been easy, but it has given me a deeper purpose. I want Between the Shears to represent resilience, community, creativity, and the beauty of starting over.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think the hard parts are what shaped me the most.

One of my biggest challenges was rebuilding my life after leaving a toxic and abusive relationship. I lost almost everything in that season, and I had to start over while still showing up as a mother, a stylist, and a business owner. There were days when I was just trying to survive, but my daughter and my business gave me something to keep fighting for.

Owning a business through personal hardship teaches you a different kind of strength. You do not always get to pause when life gets hard. Clients are still on the books, bills still have to be paid, and people still depend on you. I had to learn how to keep going even when I felt overwhelmed, scared, or unsure of what the future looked like.

Another major challenge has been stepping out of the comfort zone of being a solo salon owner and growing into a true business owner and leader. For over nine years, I ran my own independent studio, where I was responsible for myself and my clients. Purchasing a barber shop and merging it with my salon business brought an entirely new level of responsibility. Suddenly, I was not just thinking about my own chair — I was thinking about a team, a brand, a building, walk-ins, marketing, payroll, systems, and the long-term vision for the business.

There have been growing pains, especially with staffing, communication, and learning how to lead different personalities while still protecting the culture I want to build. I have had to learn that being a good leader means having compassion, but also having boundaries. It means supporting people, but also making hard decisions when necessary.

The financial side of growing a small business has also been a challenge. There is so much risk involved when you are investing in a dream before you fully know how it will all unfold. There are moments where you wonder, “Am I doing the right thing? Will this work? Can I really do this?” But every time I see a client walk out feeling confident, every time someone says the salon feels welcoming, and every time I see the business grow even a little, I am reminded why I started.

The road has not been easy, but it has been worth it. Every challenge has pushed me to become more resilient, more intentional, and more grounded in my purpose. I am not just building a salon and barber shop — I am building a future for my daughter, my clients, my team, and myself.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Between the Shears Hair Salon and Barber Shop?
Between the Shears Hair Salon and Barber Shop is a full-service salon and barber shop in Acworth, Georgia, created to be welcoming, relaxed, and family-friendly while still offering quality, personalized services.

What makes us unique is that we bring both worlds together. We offer salon and barber services for men, women, and children, so families can come to one place and feel comfortable. Whether someone needs a men’s haircut, a kids’ cut, a root touch-up, dimensional color, blonding, a wax, or a fresh barber-style cut, our goal is for every client to feel confident, heard, and cared for.

One of the things people notice right away is the look and feel of the salon. We have created a space that feels like stepping back in time, but in a fun, fresh way. From the vintage-style posters to the pink pay phone and the nostalgic details throughout the shop, clients are always commenting on how much they love the personality of the space. It has a retro, playful, laid-back feel that makes people smile when they walk in.

I wanted Between the Shears to feel different from the typical salon experience. Our vibe is fun, funky, fresh, and a little nostalgic — almost like stepping back in time and catching up with an old friend. I never wanted people to walk in and feel intimidated. I wanted them to feel welcomed, comfortable, and at home.

We specialize in personalized hair services, but I think what we are really becoming known for is the relationships we build with our clients. I have clients who have been with me for years, and they have become like family. That is the heart of the business. Yes, we want people to love their hair, but we also want them to love the experience.

Brand-wise, I am most proud that Between the Shears is being built with intention. I am not trying to create a cold or overly trendy salon. I am trying to create a place with personality, heart, and community — a place that feels approachable, creative, and real. We are affordable without sacrificing quality, and we care deeply about making people feel good when they leave our chairs.

I am also proud that the business represents growth and opportunity, not just for me but for the stylists and barbers who are part of it. My long-term vision is to continue building a team culture where people feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to grow in their craft.

At the end of the day, Between the Shears is about more than hair. It is about confidence, connection, creativity, and creating a space where clients and team members feel like they belong.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am a big believer in continuing education, both professionally and personally. In the beauty industry, trends, techniques, products, and client expectations are always changing, so I think it is important to stay open, curious, and willing to keep learning.

For me, some of my best resources come from hands-on classes, industry education, other stylists, social media, and simply staying connected to what clients are asking for. I love learning new techniques, watching how other professionals approach color, cutting, styling, and business, and then finding ways to bring that knowledge back into my own work and salon.

I also think life itself has been one of my biggest teachers. Owning a business, raising my daughter, rebuilding after hard seasons, and learning how to lead others have all pushed me to grow in ways no book or app ever could. I try to take something from every season I go through and use it to become a better stylist, business owner, mother, and person.

I may not have one specific book or podcast that I swear by, but I do believe in constantly learning, asking questions, investing in education, and surrounding myself with people and resources that help me keep growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://betweentheshears.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentheshears85?igsh=MWRhbG85aXR6c2tiNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CgyvNDhet/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-bragg-28016559?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios