Description
In this inspiring episode of The Daymakers Podcast, we sit down with Patrick Lewis, a true industry icon and ambassador for Reuzel, a brand proudly partnered with Tricoci University. From his humble beginnings in a small Minnesota town to becoming a globally respected barber, Patrick shares the unexpected journey that led him into the world of hair, fueled by creativity, grit, and a deep love for working with his hands. Whether you’re a beauty professional or someone searching for your path, this episode delivers powerful insights on finding purpose and elevating the guest experience.
Show Notes
- – Why Patrick never planned to do hair — and how that all changed
- – The power of making someone’s day in the beauty industry
- – Reuzel’s roots and how the brand is changing the barbering game
- – What it means to be a “day maker” in today’s world
- – The value of mentorship and brand partnerships like Reuzel + Tricoci University
- – Advice to aspiring professionals entering the beauty space
- – How staying curious and using your hands can shape your career path
Links
YouTube: https://youtu.be/fhPQ85n85bw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qNF2KedMYl1yLsdNTMABn?si=0RxKIW0eTGGNZECvHYGfmg
Transcript:
We are here to make people
feel good about themselves.
We really have to feel like we
are a day maker for the guest.
You’ve made my day.
How great is that when you hear
those words from your guest.
Hi.
Welcome to the Daymakers podcast.
I’m excited because today we have
the legendary Patrick Lewis.
So we’re going to speak
with him and find out a little
bit about your story.
So thank you for having me.
Appreciate it.
Perfect.
And then can you tell me about your
journey in the beauty industry?
How did you get
to where you are today?
It’s kind of a long one, but I did
not get into hair to do hair at all.
I’m from small town in Minnesota
and maybe a lot of other people.
I didn’t know really
what I wanted to do.
Just going to college because
I had nothing better to do.
But at the end of the day, like,
my biggest thing, I just
always wanted to use my hands.
That was.
That was really just
what it was about.
And after a while, you know, you’re
just, like, going through
the motions and it’s not working.
And then the fast track story was
like, one night, I was on my way
to this party with this friend
of mine, and she was just like.
She just pitched me.
She was like, you should
be a hairdresser.
And I was just like.
And, you know, you had the entire
epiphany in about five seconds.
You’re like, I could do that.
If I do that, I have to move.
I can move.
I got to, right?
Dah, dah, dah.
And that was kind of it.
And they just committed
to it right then and there.
And then the funny thing is, is
you don’t really understand this
when you are in the moment.
But when I made the decision
to drop out of school, move home,
got in a little bit
of trouble, and that kind of delayed
everything, like six months.
And it kind of forced you to almost
kind of grow up a little bit.
And because of that, other things all
of a sudden came into my life
because of that little bit of a
delay, and you kind of start
realizing back, or as you get older,
and you start reflecting that that
was an instrumental part in my life
that had to happen.
You know, it’s like it kind of forced
you to kind of, like I said, grow
up a little bit, you know, take
things a little bit more seriously.
And, yeah, went to the vet
institute in Minneapolis.
I moved to Chicago in ,mainly because I wanted
to focus on men’s hair.
I always knew I would be
doing a lot of women’s hair.
But being from some small towns
in Minnesota, a lot
of the guys had the same haircuts.
You know, it’s, it’s.
You know, I just felt like there
might have been a little bit more.
I ended up working for a company
called Art and Science as they also
developed the product line American
Crew, a couple other product lines.
But that was great
to be a main focus.
So I had like a Sassoon background
and then a classic American Crew
barbering background as well.
And that, you know, they
were so education focused.
And, you know, it was nice because
it really gave me the platform to
explore a lot of energy that I had.
Right.
You know, it was like you.
You could, you know, I.
I didn’t know anything about hair.
Like I said, like, and I was not
good at it, but, like, I just
knew that, like, I had the drive.
I knew that, like, you know, just
focus and just kind of commit.
And they had like this
two year apprenticeship.
And when I went through it, I
think I did it in like 13 months
because it was like I didn’t
have the time to like, go slow.
It was like just
go, just work, work, work.
And you know, because of that,
you know, it’s like, because
you always kind of were just,
you know, up for it.
You know, it’s just like it kind
of afforded me other opportunities.
So it’s like you were asked to help
them open up a salon over in
Wicker park or help take over
another salon, you know, because
like, you were involved in
education, you were involved in,
you know, anything that they
pretty much asked you to do.
And you know, it’s just.
And you kind of just started building
those relationships and building
your focus, you know, and building
your, you know, like your strength.
And that has really kind of like,
afforded me to like, you know,
be to where I want to be today.
I mean, like, so, like, it’s
such a long story, but it’s.
It’s not, you know, it’s just like.
It’s just.
It’s really kind of just
a simple decision.
You just kind of just commit to,
you know, a discipline of just
always wanting to do better.
So that’s kind of how that one went.
Except there’s a lot more to it
when it comes to like, Tim’s.
You educate for or whatnot.
You know, it’s like, I think probably
one of the biggest things
that I’ve learned from Dolls is just
have a lot of mentors.
You know, it’s just like you have
to, you know, it’s like, you know,
for many different reasons,
different types of educations.
But, like, they have helped me keep
not necessarily on track, but like,
you know, it’s guidance, you know,
it’s just like, you know, like, you
kind of learn your craft, you learn
how to use your hands, you know,
like, you learn how to, like, get
more experience, you know, it’s
like.
And because of, like, a lot
of different guys, I, you know, I.
They’ve kind of helped me stay
on track in a lot of different ways.
It’s either with Rusal or if
it’s with Arojo, if it’s
with my own company, you
know, it’s just like, it’s.
It’s.
I don’t know, but it’s
been a great journey.
So, yeah, journey that continues.
So, yeah, now with you, you’re known
for your razor cutting techniques.
Did that come from Arojo?
I had done a lot of razor
cutting before that, but that
really, I think, really kind
of like seen his hands work.
So when we first opened up
Edit salon in 2011, your first
couple years, there’s not a lot of
money for education, right?
And, you know, you’re starting
to build your team.
But, you know, like I said, there’s
not a lot of money to go around.
And so he kept coming to Chicago
to do these Happy Mondays.
And it was just this free education.
And he would come in and like, it
was just nice because it was
like, it was all different salons,
different owners and stylists.
You know, coming to see
him maybe like three times a year.
And it was nice because it’s
like, you didn’t have to have
his product to be involved.
Like, that was the one thing
that I really got away from it.
It’s like I was like, wow,
like, this is my first time.
I’m really kind of connecting
with a lot of different
people in our industry.
But when I would just see how he
was kind of like working with
the razor is like, that’s special.
Like, that.
That is a unique touch.
Like, that is.
That is, you know, I don’t know.
I felt like I was watching
like a master at work
when I saw his hands.
And it’s like.
And I’ve seen a lot of people do
some really amazing razor work,
but I’ve never seen that that good.
And I was just like, you know what?
So because of that, you know,
like, I was like, okay, like,
that’s something I want to.
I want to learn.
And I will probably say, like,
I love all aspects of cutting,
either clipper cutting, using my
shears, but razor cutting.
I feel like there’s a Zen that
can kind of come into play once.
Once you really kind of like, get
into that place, and it’s
like there’s just, like.
You’re on the inside of hair,
and there’s like a pressure, there’s
a texture, you know, you’re
either removing or you’re not.
You know, it’s like.
And, you know, there’s just.
I don’t know, there’s just
a calm that kind of can come
over me when I’m doing it.
I mean, you get the same thing
when you’re doing, like, some
clipper work and stuff like that.
But, like, there’s just.
I don’t know, there’s a touch that,
you know, takes a while to get.
You’re not gonna just
pick this thing up.
You know, it’s like.
It’s like scissors, like.
Yes, we’ve all learned how
to use scissors when we were kids.
You know, clippers.
I can kind of, you know, you
can figure it out and shave
somebody’s head, but a razor?
You’re like, how am I using this?
Especially one without a guard on it.
You know, it’s like.
Because, like, it’s.
If it’s on it wrong, it almost
won’t cut it or you’re going
to kind of chicken scratch it.
But, you know, there’s just.
There’s just so much stuff a razor
you can do with it, you know,
that’s why I think it’s probably
been, like, my biggest passion.
I know you’ve talked about your
mentors, but I feel like watching
you with a razor, you’ve become
almost the mentor, and you have so
many mentees underneath you.
Yeah, it’s.
You know, it’s interesting
because you kind of wonder
if that happens at times.
It’s like, you know, like, you have
your mentors, and the next thing
you know, like, you’re, you know,
like a lot of people I’ve educated
with over the years, and then you
get to start cutting hair next to
them, and then you kind of start
seeing them paying a little
attention to what you’re doing, and
you’re like, wow, this is actually
kind of a place I never really
thought I would be in.
You know, it’s like.
But you do kind of find there’s,
like, all of a sudden a level
of respect that comes up there.
And, yeah, it’s.
Yeah, it’s.
It’s great.
So now I met you through Rusal.
So how did you get involved
With Rusel, so with Russell.
So when I was with art and Science.
And they, you know, they,
they founded American Crew.
And when I left, I truly can’t
remember how much of a connection
was still with American
Crew with what I was doing.
And anyways, but like when I left,
you know, it’s like your
first two years, you really
couldn’t do much education.
You could teach your own staff,
but like, I really couldn’t get out
and spend money on it.
But after the two year mark, you
know, you’re like, okay, I can.
I finally have a little bit
of time to kind of like start
exploring what I would like
to kind of get back into.
Because I’d always talk
for maybe like eight years
up until I opened the salon.
And then two years is just,
you know, you’re just all
focused on your salon.
And then after that I got wind
from some of my old context that
there was a new company that
was going to be getting started
called Reuzel to check it out.
And I was just like, yeah,
I would absolutely love to see this.
And they were looking for educators.
And then it was funny, they were
like, okay, in order to become
an educator you have to, you have
to make a video and submit it.
And I was just like, well, I,
I already know these guys, so
I kind of have a shoe in.
But I was like, I didn’t want
to take advantage of that.
So I was like, so I went and got like
a whole like crew to do this
big video for me, right?
And I was just like.
Because I didn’t want to show,
like, I’m just going to phone this
in and just take advantage of it.
So, you know, again, you got to
show up, you know, you kind of show
them like, you know, like, I am
going to take this seriously.
And it was great.
When I started with them, it was,
it was really like you kind of got
re baptized like by the men’s world.
Because like when I was
brought up, we were not really
allowed to use any guards.
We weren’t allowed
to use blending shears.
And then I went over
to Rotterdam and took one of their
courses and you know, you kind
of think like, oh, I already
know what I’m doing.
I’ve been doing men’s hair
for a long time.
I, I got this touchdown.
And then when I went over
to Rotterdam, like I said, I just
got my ass kicked because it
was, it was so different.
You know, it’s like, you know,
you realize like, this is
a different way of cutting now.
Instead of like from the bottom
up or from the top down,
you know, it’s just like,
you’re just different guards.
You’re blowing using blending shears.
You know, it’s like you’re just.
You know, I was just like, wow.
Like, I have so much more
to learn again, you know, about
men’s hair and something that I
thought I knew a lot about.
And then working with that, like I
said, it just kind of just taught
me a new foundation, you know,
just a different way to just look
at hair, you know, and it was
great.
The thing I think that I
really, really, really love
about Reuzel is it’s like.
And I’m not, like I
said, I’m a Cosmo.
I’m not.
I’m not a barber.
You know, it’s like.
So I’m going to just speak about.
What I know is it’s like.
But I never really had any
connection to the barbering world.
Right.
You know, it’s like, there.
There.
There is some divides there.
Right, right.
And during this time, you know,
you had Burdess and Lane,
who the founders of Bruo, and they
connected with David Berculia,
and that’s kind
of where their story was born.
Now burn their hairdressers.
They were hairdressers,
and then they became barbers.
And I think they kind of became that
bridge, you know, for hairdressers,
for Cosmos and barbers.
Right.
And it was just like, you know,
again, I’m going
to speak very, very broadly.
It’s like.
But for the most part, hairdressers
are really good with their hands.
Right?
Barbers are really good
with their tools.
You know, it’s just like, so how
do we kind of get those two
parties kind of, like, connecting?
And I feel like they kind of,
like, helped bridge that gap.
You know, it’s just like.
Russell, the thing that I loved
about them, like, you know,
there’s so many stories that kind
of go back to, like, how
they started this and that.
But I’m like, But the thing that
I noticed most, and I think a lot
of us did, was just the work
was just absolutely beautiful.
I mean, it was just.
It was perfect.
And I was just like, I can’t do that.
At least not yet.
It’s like.
But, you know, like.
But I think that they can
help me get to that point.
You know, it’s like.
And then they, you know,
they have evolved.
You know, it started out
with certain haircuts only
just a couple products.
And then, like, you see, like,
the evolution of the brand kind
of come in, like, different classes.
And it’s been great because it’s
like, it’s Afforded me
to just consistently, again, just
teach me in front of people.
And you’re doing that in other areas.
But to be in front of barbers as
well, or work with hairdressers,
you know, it’s like, it’s been
great because, like, the more
you teach, the better you get.
You know, the more different
audiences you get in front of, you
know, again, the better you get.
You know, it’s like.
And it’s not about me, but, yeah,
if I can get better, I will
be a better educator and I’ll
have more experience or I can
explain it to clients better.
You know, it’s just like.
It’s just.
It’s.
It’s just a constant, you
know, evolving, you know, scenario
that’s been going on.
So that’s why Reuzel’s been just,
I think, just so successful.
And they got, like, a great team,
they got a great machine behind
it, and, you know, they’ve just
been growing, and it was great
because, you know, when the
pandemic hit, you know, everything
kind of stopped.
You know, it’s like a lot
of these companies kind of got
taken out, unfortunately.
I guess it’s not the right way
to say it, but Ruso, you know,
they totally stuck with it.
You know, it’s just like.
And, you know, then they evolved
with, like, either doing,
like, online education or,
you know, like, we all got to do,
like, our own Facebook lives.
You know, it’s just like.
And it’s like, your first time
doing that, that’s scary.
You know, it’s like.
It’s almost anything you do
for the first time is scary.
Right?
You know, it’s like.
But then you kind of start doing it.
You know, it’s just like.
It’s.
It just kind of got easier.
It’s almost like it’s like
doing hair, doing anything.
It’s like you’re doing
the things you hate.
You know, it’s like.
But if you just keep doing
it so much, it starts
becoming second nature.
Know, it’s just like.
And you just get comfortable, you
know, now you can just kind of
just get in front of people and
just, you know, just talk, you
know, about, like, your
experience and, like, in your
discipline and your craft and
your mistakes.
And I think, like, you know,
it’s all just kind of just.
I said, like, that brand
has really helped me, you
know, elevate my own game.
You know, it’s like, so.
And like I said, it’s introduced me
to a lot of great people.
Said, like, you know, barbering
or a lot of men’s hair is, like.
It’s very linear,
you know, it’s like.
And it just.
It’s made me that much better
in women’s hair, you
know, because it’s like.
It’s.
You know, it’s additive
negative space.
It’s different balance, you
know, but the end of the day,
that is what hair is.
It’s just balance to me.
All right, so.
Yeah.
So.
Yeah.
And the good thing is
now it seems like we don’t have
to differentiate so much
between women and men’s hair.
No, it’s because they’re.
The trends seem to
go both directions.
Always, always, always.
Which I enjoy.
And the first time I met the guys at
Reuzel was probably eight years ago.
Yeah.
When they were first starting out.
And one of the things that I loved
that drew me to the product was
that they were so transparent.
Yeah.
And they didn’t take
themselves seriously.
Yep.
Yeah.
But then at the end of it,
when they showed their craft,
it was amazing to watch.
It was like magic.
Yeah, it was.
I totally agree with that.
It’s like.
It’s like, you see, like, their.
Their little barbershop
in Rotterdam, it would be like, you
know, these guys are having fun,
but guys aren’t waiting nine
hours a day just for a fun thing.
Like, they’re like, no, man,
I have got the best haircut
I’ve ever had in my life.
You know, it’s like.
And it’s.
Obviously, they came in at
the right time when social media was
around, when they could really
kind of get that message out.
And, you know, like, I think it was
kind of lightning in a bottle, so.
Around a puck.
So when you’ve done demos
at our schools, how do you think.
Why do you think that’s so important
to have that kind of education
come directly to the students?
It’s funny.
Like, I taught.
I taught at a school not too long
ago, and teaching students is
my favorite to teach, hands down,
because they’re the ones
that need this message the most.
You know, it’s like they need
somebody to kind of, like,
help them, kind of show them.
Like.
And this is my opinion,
but it’s like, it’s the path,
you know, it’s like, what?
You know, like, I.
I kind of come in, like.
And I’m almost not rude, but, like.
And I don’t think I’ve ever
had anybody look at me as rude,
but I’m very, very direct.
I’ll be like, you know, like,
I’ll be like, okay.
Like, okay, who here, you know,
wants to be great who here wants
to walk into a room and like,
and you just change the
frequency just by you walking
into that room, like, because of
what you have done, what you’ve
accomplished and the time that
you have put in.
And so like, of course
everybody raised their hand.
I’m like, okay, like,
well then this is the path.
I’m like, work life balance really
isn’t a thing for a while.
You know, it’s like, I’m sorry.
Like, this is, this is
what you want to do.
I’m like, just know what
you’re up against.
You know, it’s just like, you
know, I think like one
of the best things I’ve read
in a while was circumstances
don’t change responsibility.
And it’s just like, and it’s such
a real thing because everybody’s
got stuff going on right non stop.
It’s like, but I’m sorry, at the
end of the day, like, you know,
you made that decision to like get
into this industry to be great,
you know, it’s just like, and if
that means, like you have to just
go all in, you know, just all
focus, you know, whatever it may
be, it’s just like, that’s what
you have to do.
And I think, like I said, like,
they want to hear that, they want to
know, okay, like, well, it’s just,
it’s going to go be an apprentice.
It’s like, it’s not about that.
It’s about like, you know, like
just really just kind of committing
to just what you want for yourself.
And that’s why I think like working
with these students, like when
you’re done, you’re always going to
get like 30 students come up
because they’re just like, we want
somebody like you to kind of help
get us there.
You know, it’s just like, and you
know, it’s like it, it’s, you know,
you kind of just leave them with it.
It’s not on you, it’s in you.
You know, it’s like.
And I think they’re like, yes.
You know, it’s like, because, you
know, you know, and they also need
to hear things that are real.
You know, it’s like a lot of
students, they come out and
again, I’m speaking broadly, but
they might be like 90% of them
are like, oh, I want to be my
own boss, I want to be my own
entrepreneur.
And you’re just kind of like,
okay, let me, let me,
I’m not here to like hurt that.
I’m like, But I’m like, there’s
only one thing that every single
great artist has in common.
It’s discipline.
I’m like, and that is
what you have to get.
You are not going
to get that on your own.
I promise you.
It’s just like, you’re not going to
get that by just watching a video.
It’s like, you need somebody there
kind of like, nope, this is wrong.
Your section’s wrong.
It’s not clean.
You know, it’s just like,
you know, not being rude.
I’m just being clear.
You know, it’s just like.
And you know, sometimes
you gotta look them
up a little bit differently.
You know, it’s like.
And I think, like, the students
are like, you know, they
will just sit there and just.
They’re all about it because
they want that, you know, like.
But, you know, they just need
to know, like, okay, like,
who’s gonna be the company that’s
gonna help get me there, right?
So.
And like I said, it’s,
you know, it’s.
I, I would, I would teach
in front of students probably more
than anything if I could.
Just because it’s.
It’s that important of a message
for them to understand.
They’re hungry for it.
Oh, my God.
That’s the biggest part.
Yeah.
Yeah, they’re.
They’re so hungry for it.
You know, it’s just like.
But the tricky thing is now is it’s
like, it’s hard to be like a smaller
salon versus, like a lot of, I don’t
want to say, like, the hype of like
social media world, you know, it’s
like, I get it, you know, it’s just
like.
But at the same point
in time, it’s like, I’m not here
to all false idea.
It’s just like, I don’t have
money to just conflict.
Like social media, social
media, social media.
It’s like, you know, like,
where I’m getting at with this is
it’s like education is getting
harder to teach because, like,
these bigger companies are
not around anymore, right?
It’s like.
And that’s like those big companies,
like, a company like, this
is great because it’s like, there’s
a lot of resources there.
You know, it’s like, whether
you guys want to say it’s good
or bad, it doesn’t matter.
It’s exposure to a lot
of different platforms.
You know, it’s like, you can either
become an educator here, you know,
they come, you know, in a spot.
There’s.
There’s a lot of things,
you know, it’s just like.
And each one has its own
learning curve.
But Like, I personally will not be.
Would not be where I was if I
was not with a big company
that had a lot of exposure
to a lot of different things.
And those are not as much
around as much anymore.
Right.
So it’s like, it’s smaller teams.
You know, it’s like.
And it’s, you know, it’s.
It’s harder to kind of keep.
You know, I don’t want
to say keep that together, but it’s
kind of the truth.
Education, I think, is getting
a little bit harder
because, like, you know, back
in the day, you could also.
You could hire an abundance.
Right, Right.
You know, it’s like you could have,
like, 20 assistants, and now
you only have, like, one or two.
And, like, you’ll talk to people
who are like, yeah, well, you don’t
know what it’s like having 20.
It’s like, I know.
You don’t know what
it’s like having to.
Because it’s like, now you’re
held hostage by one or
two, and you can’t know.
You need to keep them around because,
you know, it’s like you can’t just
let people go and da, da, da, da.
There’s another, like,
group of people coming in.
It’s just like, no,
it’s like you’re all.
Your eggs are in one basket.
You know, it’s like, now, again,
there’s pros and cons of that.
You know, it’s like, the nice
thing about that for me is
it’s like I can train somebody
just literally one on one.
You know, it’s just like.
And that’s powerful.
You know, it’s just like, that’s.
That’s a lot of time in.
So I said, like, there’s
pros and cons to it.
All right.
But.
So I agree with you that
Rusle does an amazing job
with teaching to the students.
You know, carry a rusal
and tremendous.
Yeah.
Partner for us, and that’s one
of the things we look for.
Yeah.
And I also agree that the students
are a lot more hungry.
You know, it’s almost like I
prefer going to a college
basketball game over a professional
basketball player.
Yeah.
Because it’s, you know,
it’s a lot more exciting.
But I still think we need
that continuing education
once we’re licensed.
Yeah.
Do.
Do you see that
need being stronger or what?
What do you feel is, like,
the important reason to do that
now that someone is licensed?
My biggest mentor,
I will say, is Nick Arojo.
And the stuff that I see
him talk about is so, like,
it is it’s constant.
Like, like, like.
And everybody would agree with that.
Education is constant, right?
But the thing that I’ve learned is
like, once you get on the floor,
it’s just like my opinion now your
work’s kind of just begun, you know.
Now it’s like, okay, like you got out
of college or whatever.
Now like you got a job.
It’s like, what do
you just get a job?
Oh, now it’s like, you got
to prove it, you know, it’s like.
And I, I truly take this to
heart where it’s like, you
know, like, you are going to
have days that you’re going to
do hair good, and you can have
days that you’re going to not
do hair so good.
But if you have a really strong
technical background, you know, it’s
like that makes those bad days good.
And that is to consistently
take education know.
It’s just that, because there’s
always going to be things
you’re not going to be good at.
It might be this type
of texture or this type of tool.
And it’s like my thing when
I was coming up is like,
I never really care for the fake
it till you make it thing.
To be honest, that’s because it’s
like there’s too much of that now.
Just like, let’s keep
making it to make it.
It’s like, well, when are
you going to make it right?
You know, it’s just like, no, it’s
just like, you know, if that haircut
wasn’t good, you can tell by that
client if they’re happy or not.
You know, it’s just like.
Or if, like, you know, it got
as much life out of that as you
could, you know, it’s like.
And if I was always like,
you know, I had a lot of fear, like
I said, I never touched hair
before I got into this thing,
you know, it’s just like.
And then it was like, so the only
thing that was going to get
me out of that was just
education and just kind of just keep
trying to keep grinding.
And anytime I knew I wasn’t good at
something, it’s like, okay, that’s
my next thing I gotta focus on.
And that’s my next
thing I gotta focus on.
And that’s my next thing.
And there’s just always like,
there is always something to be
focusing on and you know, like.
And then I feel like once you’ve
figured it out,
it almost kind of start over again.
You just kind of like, like, okay,
like you need to relearn something
or you really need to, like,
or a new trend comes around or.
I haven’t, you know,
done, like, a really good kind
of classic haircut this way
in a while, like, go back to it.
It’s like, because, you know, it’s.
It’s too big, you know, to, like.
It’s too big to, you know,
not keep up with, so our
new trends or whatever.
So.
Well, most of our students,
they get so excited, and if you
ask them what they want to do,
they always say they want
to open up their own salon.
Yep.
Now your salon edits here in Chicago.
What have you learned
from opening up your salon?
You gotta, you know, it’s funny,
like, I heard somebody ask me.
They’re like, like, were you ever
scared it was going to fail?
And I never once had it, like, not
because of that, but it was like,
I was with my business partner,
and she always did the business
side and I did, you know, the hair
side.
But it was like, simple things
where it’s like, okay,
like, your budget is five.
It’s five.
You don’t go above that.
You know, it’s just like.
And I think a lot of people,
you know, want to have it all.
And it’s just like, you know, like,
as soon as we had a bowl open, boom,
open, you know, it’s just like.
Like, we’re selling
product out of boxes.
It’s like, once that
rent starts, it starts.
And it’s like, you know, you have
to stay committed to that part.
You know, it’s like in the beginning,
like, I remember walking
down the street, and I’d see
this beautiful salon open up,
and I’m like, so jealous.
I was like, I still.
I still don’t have a sign
on my business, right?
And I say, this new salon, it’s
like, got this massive sign,
got, like, these 15 chairs.
It was just beautiful.
And I’m walking by, and I
was just so jealous.
And I was also like, this place
is going to be closing a year.
I was like, you have two
hairdressers, and you.
While you have.
You’re paying on 15 chairs, you know,
it’s like, you got a $6,000 sign.
I’m like, and you guys
aren’t even busy yet.
It’s just like, you, you know, like,
you have to kind of just slow down
for a little bit, you know, so I can
kind of believe in yourself and kind
of just know, like, at the end of
the day, like, you gotta work, you
know, it’s just like, you got to
just.
Just total commitment to it.
And it’s been A lot of fun.
You know, it’s just like, I wanted
to kind of know if I could do it,
but it’s like, I also knew, like,
you know, like, yeah, I know I
could do it because it’s like, you
know, one.
You’ve already opened salons before.
But the thing that I’ve learned,
like, when I talk to students
or I talk to whoever, it’s like,
whatever you have done
in the past, you are always that.
So it’s like, okay, like, so
I’m a slot owner, right?
That means when I.
That means I’m still.
When I was an assistant,
I was an assistant.
When I became a.
When I became stylist,
I’m still an assistant.
I’m still sweeping floors, still
helping out, and I’m a stylist.
Then I became an educator.
Guess what?
I’m still an assistant.
I’m still a stylist.
Then I’m an educator,
and I became a manager.
Means I’m still an assistant.
I’m still this.
I’m still this.
I’m still this.
So then I became a slot owner, right?
And then it’s like, okay, you’re
still all of this and then some.
You know, it’s like when you
get a lot of these
people coming out of beauty school,
like, I want to be my owner.
It’s like, you don’t even know how
to be this, this, this, or this.
You know, it’s just like,
so how are you going to just
literally jump to that?
I couldn’t do that, you know, so,
like, I had to, like, learn all
the lessons that I need to learn.
Learn.
And I think, like, that is one of
those things where it’s like,
you’ll rely on your own experience,
you know, it’s like in your own
grit and your own passion, you
know, it’s like.
But at the same point
in time, it’s like, I don’t pray
or hope for anything.
I just work.
You know, it’s this thing,
and that’s the thing.
Like, well, I hope it works out.
It’s like, yeah, no, it’s like,
I’m going to work for it.
You know, it’s just like.
And, you know, like.
And I think people will see it.
And I also think the fun thing
about starting our salon was it’s
like, I think people like to see
and be a part of it as well.
Like, a lot of my clients,
I’ve had them for 20 some
years, lot, tons of them.
You know, it’s like.
And they kind of saw,
like, my evolution, right?
And Then like.
And they still want to kind
of be a part of it as
I’m a part of theirs.
And it’s like, like, like when we
opened up our salon, you know,
it’s like they would kind of come
in, they’re still getting paint
on the walls, you know, it’s like.
But they have been a part
of my journey, you know, so it’s
like, so, you know, it’s,
it’s, it’s just been great.
It’s been a great ride, you know.
Second, of course there’s going to be
some ups and downs, but you know
that going into this, it’s not all
sunshine and rainbows all the time.
You hope for it.
You know, it’s like.
But, but no, it’s been, I’ve been
able to like, really kind of create
a brand that I am very proud of.
You know, it’s like.
And that comes with,
you know, experience.
You know, it’s like in life
lessons and learning lessons
and you know, it’s like in,
you know, the good and the bad.
So it’s like.
So yeah, it’s, it’s been fun.
So we, we spend a lot
of time teaching the students
business building.
Yeah, you know, we want them
to spend their time because it takes
two years or more to build a book.
So let them do that
while they’re in school.
Yep.
We do the whole retelling,
making sure it’s important.
Yeah, it is.
A rebooking, the upselling,
all those things.
But tell me about the client
retention piece.
How do you retain your clients?
What do you think are some
good best practices?
Consistency.
You know, it’s like, I think,
you know, people want to, like
when you have to be available.
You know, it’s like, I think
everybody’s trying to get like that,
that perfect clientele.
Right.
You know, like, I only, like,
I’ll, I’ll say like, I heard this
a lot, like with colorists.
We’ll just say, well, I only want
to have the clientele that I want.
Like, I only want balayage
or whatever.
And all of a sudden a pandemic hits.
Well, guess what?
Now all those touch ups you
kind of were like, that’s
not part of me anymore.
It’s just like, no, it’s like you
need to be open to everything.
And again, I’m just going to speak
from my own personal stuff.
But it’s like, I know some
people who are like, well, I
won’t take new clients clients.
It’s like, I will always
take new clients.
I’m always building.
I’M always evolving when it comes
to, I think, having like a really
good clientele, it’s like one.
You got to be somebody
who they can rely on.
You know, you want to be
positive because it’s like,
you know, people are coming to us
to be lifted up, right?
You know, it’s like they’re
coming to you to get their
confidence back a little bit.
You know, they’re also like,
you know, they want
to know, like, you’re reliable.
You know, it’s like, it’s,
you know, it’s like.
And you know, you are
evolving as well.
You know, it’s like you’re
not being stagnant.
But at the same point in time,
you know, there are people who do.
Can do the same haircuts that I do.
Right?
So why are they coming to me?
What am I offering them?
Something different
than this person is.
Right.
You know, so it’s like, so,
yeah, there’s a little bit
of a magic there, you know, there’s
your connection, you know, it’s
like, and there’s, you know,
being relatable to whatever.
And like, I think, like said, like,
with that, it’s like when it comes
to just building like that long
lasting big clientele that we all
want, you know, it’s just like you
kind of have to be a total
package.
You know, it’s like, you
can’t just be like, well,
I’m only going to do this.
It’s like, no, it’s like, I like
doing guys, I like doing girls, I
like doing everything in between.
I like, I want to be able
to do it all because I don’t want
to say, like, I can’t do that.
You know, it’s like, I hate that.
You know, it’s like, so, you know,
I remember one time I hear somebody,
a student I heard say,
like, oh, I did a guy’s haircut.
It was the worst experience.
I’ll never do it again.
And all of a sudden, and she
walked out and I was like,
oh, that’s so sad.
I’m like, you don’t understand,
like, what you’re missing out on
because, like, that will make
you so much better at doing
women’s hair in certain areas.
I’m like, mike, it’s like,
you have to learn how to get good
at everything, in my opinion.
It’s like, I get it.
We want to have our niches and we
want to do our things,
but it’s like, but you’re, you’re,
you’re kind of missing out
on the lesson here, you know?
It’s like.
It’s like in school, it’s like,
am I ever going to do calculus?
Probably not, but it’s going to help
my brain kind of rewire a little
bit differently so I can do
all these other things and it can
be a better critical thinker.
It’s the same thing with,
like, learning how to use
these tools all correctly.
You know, it’s like.
Like I heard somebody say, like,
I’m gonna probably go off
on a whim here, but, like,
I’m never thinning hair out ever.
It’s like when I hear people say,
oh, I’m just gonna thin hair
out, I’d be like, in my opinion,
that kind of shows me you don’t
really know exactly what you’re
talking about, because it’s
like, you’re never just thinning
hair out.
There might be a bulk
reduction, might be support,
that might be collapse.
What are you actually doing?
You know, it’s like, you
know, it’s like, learn your
tools, learn your mechanics.
And, you know, it’s like, I think,
like, said, learning how
to do all the tools and as many
different haircuts as you can just
makes you that much more lethal.
Just makes you that much more just,
you know, demanding.
You know, it’s like, so, yeah, I
think, like, that’s some of the
biggest stuff, you know, So I
can, like I said, not fake it
till you make it, you know, like,
because that’s only going to get
you so far.
And after a while, people are
like, yeah, I can probably go
someplace else for better, you
know, or cheaper or whatever.
So they can tell you’re giving
them something that they
can’t get someplace else.
Yeah.
So, yeah, I love that.
Yeah.
Especially don’t.
The whole faking it
before you make it.
I agree with you.
I mean, to a point.
I get it.
You know, it’s like.
But at some point in time, you got
to leave that behind and you got
to be like, no, I have put it in.
You know, it’s just like.
And, you know, it’s like.
And I have put the time
in and the focus in, and that’s.
That’s.
Yeah, you have to graduate
to that point at some point in time.
So.
So I love it.
And so tell.
Since this is the Day Maker
podcast, I have to ask you.
Yeah.
Tell me a time when you realize that
you were able to make someone’s day.
I suppose, like, it kind of goes
both ways, you know, it’s like,
because they make mine just as
much as I make theirs, you know,
it’s like, when you can, like,
you know, they’re just as excited
about you.
You know, it’s like.
It’s like.
Like you could be doing somebody’s
hair for, like, 20 years.
And I was like, oh, let’s
try something else.
And you just see them just light up.
You’re just like.
And you are, too, because, like,
oh, my God, we just unlocked
a whole new direction for you.
You know, it’s just like.
And it’s.
It’s nice because now it’s like,
there really
isn’t any rules anymore.
There really isn’t.
If you’re a certain age,
you can’t do this.
If you’re doing this.
No, it’s.
Everything’s on the table.
Like I said, as long as you.
You know how to do it right.
You know, it’s just like.
And I think, like, yeah, you know,
it’s just like when you just get to
kind of sit there and, like, have
people come in and they’re just
excited to see you, you know, it’s
like.
And you’re excited to see them.
It’s like, so many of my
favorite clients, they’re all
certain age, right?
And they’re just like.
But I mean, the fact that
they’re still just.
They come in and they just
get excited, and you’re just
like, you know, like, this.
This opens me up.
This makes me happy.
Know, it’s like, this fulfills
me, you know, it’s just like,
in the fact that, like, I.
I have a craft under me.
You know, my hands are formed
in the way that I
want them to be formed.
You know, it’s just like.
And they know that, and I
know that, and I know what’s
going on in their lives.
And it’s just like, you know, it’s
like that I think is really kind of
like what we both are looking for.
Like, we like it, like, if we both
get excited to see each other, you
know, it’s just like, that’s what.
That’s what it’s all about.
And you get to kind of do
that every single day.
But again, it kind of goes back
to just being positive, you
know, it’s like, I remember you
work for some people who are like,
I got negative clients.
I’m like, it’s on you.
I’m like, once in a while, I get it.
You know, it’s just like, you
know, somebody’s going to need
to have, you know, they’re
going to need to kind of just
be down and did it happen?
I’m like, but you have
the Opportunity to bring them up.
That is why they are here.
You know, it’s just like, so try it.
You know, like, so
you’re exactly spot on.
I think it’s great, you know,
that we are in an industry
where we get to make that kind
of change in someone’s life.
Yeah.
So.
So tell me how you think that
goes beyond them just sitting
in their chair when
you make their day that way.
You know, I think the fact
that there’s a few things that
though it’s like one,
how it makes their day is like
I’m a constant in their life.
You know, it’s like they know, like,
I’ll back it
up a little bit and kind
of a different topic, but it’s not.
But it’s like when it comes
to selling retail, you know,
people are like, well,
I don’t want to be a salesman.
I don’t want to be this.
It’s like wrong, in my opinion.
That’s completely wrong.
It’s just like they come
to me because they know I’m
responsible and I’m in charge
of their hair to make them feel
confident, successful.
That’s what this is.
You are that bridge.
You know, it’s just like when people
like, well, I don’t want to do this.
It’s like they’re going
to get it somewhere.
It’s just like your job is
to just educate them.
You’re not throwing
the kitchen sink at them.
You know, it’s like just talk
to them about one little
thing, you know, just like.
And just like.
Because then that builds trust.
That lets them know that,
like, you know, like, you know,
like he’s going to help me get
to where I want to be.
It’s like, you know, if they want my.
If my hair wants to be this way,
you know, he can do it for me.
You know, it’s like he’s going
to show me how to do it
and be successful with it.
You know, every one of them pre
books, you know, because it
takes a couple months to get in.
You know, it’s like.
But the fact that I said, like,
the fact that it makes their day
knowing that, like, I’m keeping
them on their schedule as well.
You know, it’s just like they have
their own lives that they are
trying to constantly evolve and
they’re trying to constantly get
better and they have things that
they’re looking forward to in
their life.
And the fact that, like their
biggest accessory, which is their
hair, it’s on their head, like
they got that thing figured out.
They know I’M not going anywhere.
And it’s also nice because
somebody once in a while
be like, don’t ever leave.
It’s like, well, I’m an owner.
I’m locked to this place.
It’s like, you know, I can’t just.
I was going to be gone one day.
You’re not going to know where I am.
So, like, that kind
of helps me as well.
Like you said, like, they know I’m.
I’m a constant.
So.
So, yeah, it’s.
That’s probably been like, you know,
some of the joys of the industry.
So I think it’s special when they can
leave your salon and they
feel really good because
of the way you made them look.
Yeah.
But then when they can
recreate that look at home.
Yep.
I think that’s when we’ve
really done our job.
Yeah.
I mean, that’s.
That’s how you make it.
It’s successful.
You know, it’s like, that’s.
That’s what it is.
You know, it’s like, just show
them what tools you’re using.
You know, same thing with, like,
if you’re teaching at beauty
schools, it’s like, come up, take
a look at what I’m using here.
You know, like, see this size?
See what this is?
You know, it’s like, talk
about being clean, you know, talk
about looking professional.
You know, it’s just like, because,
like, you know, it’s like, also
when it comes to that, like, how you
look, like, I’m not going to.
I don’t want to
go too deep into that.
But it’s like, yes, I’ve
been around for a long time,
so people know who I am.
Right.
And it’s like, but a lot
of times, like, the newer people,
they don’t know who you are.
They’re going to start
judging you right away.
So it’s like, if you’re not, like,
looking like you actually care
about what you are here to do,
you know, it’s just like, yeah,
that might not feel their
confidence too much, you know,
like, they might be like, well,
if this is what you’re going to
put into my time, you know, so
it’s like, I might not want to
invest that kind of time.
You know, it’s like,
that’s really what it is.
You know, it’s just like,
why do they come to you?
You know, it’s just like, are you
fulfilling the things
that they want to do?
Are you cool?
Are you helping them feel cool?
You know, it’s just like, are
you talking to them in the way that
they want to be talked
about, you know, it’s like.
Like an example I think I taught here
a while ago, and really I was doing.
Talking about Rusel, and I was like,
okay, like, when it comes to, like,
inspiration for a guy, right.
I’ll be like, okay, like, my biggest
thing is, it’s like, where can I
find the anger in a guy’s haircut?
Okay, like, it’s like, I don’t.
I want something that’s going
to look tough or whatever.
And it’s like, I think you
say that to somebody, they’re like,
yes, I like where
you’re going with this one.
Like, you know, it’s like you’re not
just phoning it in, you know,
you’re kind of like, okay, like,
where is this going to kind of
like, make it give me a little more
character.
It’s not just like, you know,
just the same old haircut
every day, you know, so it’s
like, how is this going to
look, like I said, and make me
look noticed and last, you
know, it’s like.
And it’s done with precision
and caring, you know, it’s like.
But I’m also having a good
time getting to know this guy,
you know, it’s like, so.
So, yeah, so it’s.
I don’t know.
The industry is just great.
It’s just, you know, I just.
I hope just that commitment
stays there with.
With everybody, and it’s like an.
This helps it out.
Well, if they have that commitment,
they have that individual
attention, then client
retention isn’t an issue, too,
which I think is amazing.
It’s also like.
I mean, like, the fact that we just
get to touch people all day,
you know, like, the older you get
in this or the more seasoned, I
guess I’ll say in this industry.
But it’s like the more you realize
the power of what that really is,
you know, so you’re in somebody’s
space, you know, it’s like.
And you’re talking to them about
whatever, but you’re also like,
you know, like, helping them get
to be where they want to be.
It’s just like, the fact that,
like, we have that you’re.
It’s.
There’s a lot of power
in that, you know, so.
Yeah, you just realize, like, how
important our job is, you know, so.
Yeah.
So I think you’re spot on.
I think that’s a good
way to end it, too.
So I really appreciate
your time today.
Yeah.
Thank you very much for having me.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Thank you.