Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh Stephens.
Ashleigh, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My parents always told me how important it was to make sure I chose a job or career that I loved. They always did what they had to do to provide for our family, but it was a sacrifice that left them unfulfilled. Since 2nd grade Career Day at Stone Mountain Elementary, I’ve known I wanted to own my own business. After a salon visit in 10th grade, I knew that business was going to be hair. I started cosmetology school after one semester in college. I had a six-month-old daughter at that time. I got 1/2 way through and decided to take a leave of absence. After having another daughter, several jobs, starting several more jobs, starting college four more times, and a difficult break-up, I decided I couldn’t run from my calling anymore and went back to cosmetology school to finish what I started. That passion for hair never went away. As a single mother, I wanted a career where I could be in charge of how much money I made and how often I worked.
As much as I love the science and business aspect of doing hair, for me, the most rewarding part is the relationships I’ve built with my clients and co-workers. It gives me life being able to talk to my clients and knowing they’re comfortable talking to me. They don’t just trust me with their looks, they trust me with their stories. The client/stylist relationship is one of the most intimate relationships a person can have and I take extreme pride in the relationships I’ve built with each and every soul who’s ever sat in my chair.
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?
Although I love what I do beyond belief, and I feel so lucky to be able to get to do what I do everyday, it has not been an easy road, to say the least. There have been many challenges and struggles along the way. Every time I’ve made a change in my business, it’s been scary as Hell, but it’s always ended up putting me in a better place than I was before. I always repeat to myself, “jump and the universe will catch you,” and I close my eyes and leap. Going from corporate to independent, part-time to full-time, raising my prices, and moving salons… all of it has been terrifying to me. But as they say, “a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I specialize in blonding and hand-tied extensions. I would say I’m most known for my extension work. I took the Hand-Tied Manes class in the beautiful Alli Roberts Salon in February of 2019 (and immediately knew I HAD to be a part of that amazing team of beautiful and talented women). There is nothing more satisfying to me than a good extension transformation. Whether you’re looking for longer hair, fuller hair, or both when you get that before and after side by side and show your client her new look, the confidence just oozes out of them. I swear I can see rays of sunshine in the smiles on their faces. It’s my most favorite thing about my job! Hand-tied extensions are the least damaging and the most versatile type of extensions available. I have extension clients ranging from college students, to stay at home moms, to cross-fit junkies, to million-dollar real-estate agents. They have all said they will never NOT have extensions again.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was when I finally raised my prices. It took me seven years to work up the courage to give myself my first raise. I was so afraid that I would face rejection and backlash from the people I depended on for my livelihood and my families well-being. I could not have been more wrong! I was brought to tears by the reactions from my sweet clients. Most of them asked me why I hadn’t raised my prices sooner and all of them congratulated me and told me they were happy for me.
Pricing:
- Hand-Tied extensions start at $960 including hair and installation
- Blonding/Color starts at $145
- Women’s Cuts start at $40
Contact Info:
- Address: Alli Roberts Salon
943 S Main St NE
Conyers, GA 30012 - Phone: 7703135829
- Email: ASHLEIGH.HAIRSTYLIST@GMAIL.COM
- Instagram: instagram.com/ashleighshair
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