Conversations with Chelsea Edwards

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Edwards

Hi Chelsea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Nearly 20 years ago, I began my career. I started doing hair because I didn’t want to work in retail anymore. I was married to a person in the military so I needed to learn a trade that I could accomplish, education and boards, within the amount of time we were going to be at this duty station in Charleston, SC. The cosmetology program at Miller Motte, which no longer exists, was 18 months (6 months longer than most in the area) so I went all in by day there and worked full time at Bed Bath and Beyond with my remaining free time.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While still in cosmetology school I found my dream job working under the Senior National Color Educator for Paul Mitchell as 1 of 2 assistants. I was learning so much and feeling so fulfilled when I got the news that I knew would come eventually, we were getting a new duty station. We had a couple weeks to get to San Diego. I was devastated but accepted starting my career over (for the first time).
I was lucky to find a job doing reception at an Aveda salon at the beach until I could finally start doing hair legally.
Flash forward to a major curve ball, a medical issue has discharged my partner and it was time to make the big choice, stay or leave. The military will pay for your finally move so the conversation began. We loved being in Southern California and I was loving my job but the pricetag was too high to stay and coming back to Missouri was calling. I had started over before and it was time to do it once more time.
In March of 2012, I pulled into my parents driveway in Missouri, stepped out of my jam packed car in my sandals directly into a pile of snow. In that moment exhaling the deepest sign ever sighed, I had no idea why I chose this over the beach. I wish I could tell her that the more adjusted version of yourself later will have no regrets.
I had three interviews set up with potential salons in three very different areas with three very different clienteles. After my first interview they offered me the job. Desperate to have an income, I accepted immediately.
Coming out of two previous very fun, supportive, and loving salon environments, I was excited to join this group of salon professionals and make some new friends. I showed up bubbly, excited and ready to be welcomed to their team. I unfortunately was greeted with competitive agitation and no one wanting to talk to me but everyone wanting to talk behind my back about me. I was desperate to make this work. I had no time to lose. I became even more motivated to make the toxic environment more comfortable when I got custody of my 4 month old niece while going through my divorce. Becoming comfortable unfortunately meant finding a seat at the toxic table. I spent years working my way up the mean girl ladder until I was the one talking smack and being the unwelcoming judgemental door greeter for newcomers. These were the dark days.
Years later, after several situations where my paychecks wouldn’t cash after the owners disappearing on weeks long European vacations, the owner playing people against each other, and the owner, in a moment of frustration, confiding that she had an offer from Regis (essentially turning this small business into a chain) I started exploring other options. I left to work independently with an Alumni from that shop.
I was at that Westport shop for 11 months when I got the “I’m not renewing your lease” letter left on my station. No explanation and no one around to be on the receiving end of my confusion. I was devastated, shocked, and scared but then I looked around at the 3 stations surrounding mine and realized that we were a group of “hurt people.” It was the greatest kindness, even if they didn’t know it, to cut me loose before the “she said/she said” destroyed us all. I moved to a shop back on 39th Street.
I was so happy at this new shop. I moved into the back corner with my tiny towel warmer and thrifted cd rack with my color inventory squeezed into it. The personality of the owner reminded me of the owner of the salon I was so happy at in San Diego. Things were going great until an outside voice came in to “manage” the shop. She hadn’t been in a booth rental environment and was confused by everyone running their own business. She tried to convert the salon to a commission model without paying commission. She wanted control of my clientele and schedule and to raise my rent because I “was selling retail and took up more space.” She also wanted to implement a fee per client we saw for new overhead expenses. It was not uncommon at this time for me to see 15 clients per day to other stylists 3-5 clients per day. I felt like my back was against the wall. I was raising my, now almost school age, niece so I needed stability. This was anything but stable and I had lost my leader to an uninformed inexperienced outsider. The theme was starting to set in. I could only count on myself.
I started my own little 600sqft salon. It was a bakery and was barely rigged into a functioning salon by opening day but it was mine. I was proud of me but what meant more to me was that my clients were proud of me. I felt safe and stable and could breathe easier… I was barely open a few weeks when my purpose began to reveal itself!
I was approached by someone from the salon I had just left. He was concerned with all the changes and said the most concerning element was that now the salon was moving to the other side of town and with him being so new to both eventing, that was scary thing to ask of his early, unbounded, and beginning to taper clientele. Empathy overtook me in that we were feeling the same pain but never spoke about it. I thought that I wanted to work for myself but when a person in my hair community was hurting and facing the potential of leaving the industry all together, the nurturer took over.
Everyone I’ve brought into my space (and soon needing more space) was added with that need to support and nurture our community before every value.
When expanding to the larger space, I had some extreme lapses in leadership. I didn’t realize it was happening, but it turns out no one will tell you you’re being a bad leader. You have to realize it after the fact you’ve let people down. After losing someone I really enjoyed being around and seeing grow then having to let go somebody that lost themselves to their addiction, it was time for a rebuilding.
After a lot of reflection and an exorbitant amount of binging every book, podcast, class or coaching opportunity in areas of marketing, mentorship, leadership, inspiration and business building I could jam into my schedule, I felt like I was finally ready for our Renaissance. Our rebuild meant going back to my roots. The roots of me being towards the end of school and no clue what I was doing, in desperate search of a mentor and finding that perfect mentor that have me such a strong start. I was now meant to be that mentor and give back to the industry that’s given me so much. With more booths open to full in the salon, I decided it was time to reestablish as a hybrid Commission/Booth rent/Suite salon to best serve the entire industry.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
If you asked me a couple years ago what I specialize in, I’d probably say vivid color makeovers. The thing I specialize in truly is our mission. “Create an inclusive, eco minded, community-uplifting collective of personal care practitioners through nurturing an atmosphere that prioritizes supporting each other. We are partners, not gatekeepers. We are inspired by each other, not jealous. I’m most proud of my team when I catch them helping each other and that’s daily. Weather they are picking up a blow-dryer to help save some time and energy or offering to shampoo when they know someone may need a snack break, we always prioritize helping each other to try and break the stressful, unhealthy patterns of salons before us.

What does success mean to you?
Success means my team is safe. They know the bills are paid, the backbar, snacks, and beverages are stocked to the best of my abilities, their paychecks will cash, their concerns will be heard with eager listening ears, and that I prioritize their growth. I don’t want them to be in precarious and insecure situations both emotionally and financially that I have been in previously. Their success is my success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://KCMOaestheticsCollective.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/chelseahairkc
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/hairkcmo
• Twitter: https://Twitter.com/chelseahairkc
• Other: https://Hairkcmo.com