Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Victoria Stevens, Owner-Stylist of Metropolitan Rockabilly Hair Design, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is a cozy, inclusive, socially conscious hair salon in Edmonton. Services are priced by hair characteristics, not gender, and I ask for my client's pronouns when booking to ensure everyone feels comfortable, supported, and seen. My customers are quite a varied bunch, including a lot of gender non-conforming people. My customers love to have fun with their hair which includes bright colours and modern, on-trend cuts! We all like to have fun here.

Tell us about yourself

My mom thought it would be fun to colour my hair for the first time when I was around 12. She was right! It was fun. Ten years later, she suggested I go into hair school, and I agreed, saying it would be my "backup career." Nearly 20 years later and it has now become my one and only career. I see hair as a form of self-expression, and my passion lies in helping others express themselves in a way that feels authentic to them. I love vintage hairstyles, from The Gibson Girl styles of the late 19th century to Cindy Lauper's asymmetry in the 80s. Hair is such a versatile medium for creative expression.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is getting through the covid pandemic and still having my business. The last two years have been a whirlwind of figuring out how to safely offer my services. I have resisted pressure to relax my safety measures and have taken some heat, including being physically assaulted, over them. As a gender-neutral priced salon, I feel it is vitally important for salons like mine to stay open to help change a very gender binary-focused industry, and I am incredibly proud of myself for being able to navigate the last two years while continuing to provide the support, care, and hair my clients have come to expect.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

For me, one of the hardest things is the business side of things. I have ADHD, which makes focusing on tasks I don't enjoy difficultly. Tasks like product orders, taxes, budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, etc., don't come naturally or easy to me.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Find your niche and your passion and stick with it. Those who love what you have to offer will find you. Make sure you love (most of the time) and can stand behind what you are offering.
  2. Customer/client focus is key. People are really wanting to feel special and listened to. I used to focus solely on how much money was coming in. I was miserable, and my client retention was not what it should be. When I shifted my focus to ensuring a wonderful experience for my clients, my retention rate rose to nearly 100%, which also led to increased income.
  3. Be inclusive. Be anti-racist. Be an ally to marginalized communities. Be adaptable. Be a part of your community. Community involvement is what has made my business a success. I use gender-neutral pricing because it is inclusive. I have taken anti-racism training. I have sought out extra training in areas of my industry that aren't commonly taught, but people still need access to. I have volunteered, donated, and given back to the communities I am in. All this has led to me being not only a better business but a better person.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We are at a very pivotal place where the nature of business and society is seeing major change and upheaval, for the better, in my opinion. It is vital for businesses to be flexible and adaptable to whatever comes their way in the next few years.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.metropolitanrockabilly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MRhairdesign/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metropolitanrockabilly

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.