5 Mistakes I Made Early in My Beauty Business... So You Don’t Have To!!

When I first started my beauty business, I thought it would be all glam, good vibes,

and steady income. I wasn’t prepared for the long nights, the tough lessons, or the

boundaries I’d have to learn to set along the way. Now, after more than a decade as a hairstylist and salon owner, I can look back and laugh at some of the mistakes I

made, but I also want to share them so you don’t have to repeat them. Whether you’re a new stylist building your brand, or a seasoned entrepreneur trying to get it right, these five big mistakes were the catalysts to five big lessons that improved my businesses success greatly.

Mistake #1: Letting Clients Dictate My Schedule

When I first started out, I didn’t set business hours. If a client said they could only

come at 6 AM? I was there at 6AM. If they wanted to start a Microlocs install at 8 PM? I made it happen. The problem? My life was all over the place and I was exhausted, cranky, and it bled into my responsibilities as a mom.

Lesson #1: Once I learned to set real business hours, and actually stick to them, I felt in charge of my business again instead of letting clients run me ragged. Define your schedule from the start. Your time is valuable, and boundaries make you look more professional.

Mistake #2: Taking Any and Every Form of Payment

Back in the day, clients would finish a service and say, “I don’t get paid till Friday…

can I just write you a check?” And sometimes, I said yes. Without deposits,

contracts, or any card-on-file policies, I ended up chasing payments and feeling taken

advantage of.

Lesson #2:Today, we have booking systems like Square and online platforms that

require keeping customer cards on file, taking deposits for services, and even adding a no-show protection policy. If I’d had that from the beginning, I would’ve saved myself a lot of stress and awkward conversations. Protect yourself with a solid booking and payment system. If they’re serious, they’ll commit.

Mistake #3: Not Having Clear Policies in Place

Early on, I didn’t have any written policies or boundaries for my business. That meant that I

was constantly bending rules, explaining myself, or dealing with difficult clients who thought that they could negotiate my prices or challenge how I worked.

Lesson #3: Eventually, I created policies for my salon and posted it them both online and in-house. Those policies became my backbone, and when clients tried to push back, I could kindly point them back to the rules. Policies aren’t about turning people away; they’re about protecting your peace.Your business policies are your boundaries. Define them early and stick to them.

Mistake #4: Hiring Staff Too Quickly Without Watching for Red Flags

In the past, I hired people out of desperation, thus ignoring red flags just because I

needed the help. But the wrong staff can shift the entire culture of your business. I

learned the hard way that skill isn’t always enough. Whoever works with me has to align with

my values, which are caring, loving, laughter, and creating an experience for clients that goes deeper than hair.

Lesson #4:If someone doesn’t genuinely care about people’s spirits, they’re not a fit for Krown & Glory. Don’t just hire for skill, hire for culture. Protect your brand and your atmosphere at all costs.

Mistake #5: Neglecting My Own Health and Body Care

I wish I had started wearing compression socks, supportive shoes, and back braces

from day one. Standing all day, bending over, and doing repetitive motions has given

me varicose veins, tennis elbow, and back pain. I thank God for my nurse clients who

taught me about compression socks, clogs, and stretching. Now, I wear comfortable clothes and protect my body from injury proudly (yes, even the cute socks from Amazon!).

Lesson #5: I preach to my new stylists: protect your body like you protect your brand. Your body is your first business tool. Take care of it.

If I could go back, I’d skip these mistakes and start my brand with boundaries,

policies, the right people, and a stronger self-care routine. But every lesson shaped

me into the entrepreneur and coach I am today. So to every stylist, salon owner, or

beauty boss reading this, know that your journey doesn’t have to be perfect.

Learn from those of us who’ve been there, and build your business with wisdom from the

start. If you’re serious about building a beauty business that shines, not shrinks,

check out Sparkle Locs Academy to gain access to my free Grow & Glow masterclass to get started today!

In my Grow & Glow Masterclass, I’ll teach you fundamental Microlocs skills, help you establish your business foundations, and gain the confidence you need to grow the brand of your dreams. No fear. No settling. Just action.