Rhonda Winters

I attribute my success to a combination of the people who have supported me and my own determination to keep going. My clients have been a huge part of my journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for the trust and loyalty they’ve shown me over the years. My friends and family have also encouraged me and supported me through the challenges and changes along the way.

But I also have to give credit to myself for sticking with it. There have been difficult times and moments when it would have been easier to give up, but I kept working hard, learning, and moving forward. I believe success comes from a combination of having good people in your corner and being willing to put in the work, stay committed, and keep going even when things don’t happen as quickly as you hoped.

The best career advice I’ve received is to be prepared to fail and learn during the first couple of years. Success rarely happens overnight, and some of the biggest lessons come from the mistakes and challenges we experience along the way. I’ve learned that you have to be willing to keep going, adjust, and learn from what doesn’t work.

I’ve also learned that a degree can open doors, but what you do once those doors open is up to you. Education gives you a foundation and opportunities, but your work ethic, attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to build relationships are what help you move forward. Never stop learning, and don’t be afraid to start over or take a different path if it leads you closer to where you want to be.

My advice to young women entering the beauty industry is to take the time to build a strong foundation before going out on your own. If possible, find a salon where you can stay for several years, build your skills, develop relationships, and establish a loyal clientele before opening your own business. When you eventually make that transition, it’s important to be realistic; your entire clientele may not follow you, so plan financially for that possibility.

I also recommend having enough savings to cover both your personal and business expenses while you build your new client base. When starting a business, it can be tempting to spend a lot on beautiful décor and appearances, but I’ve learned that functionality and location matter more than having the fanciest space. One of the most important things to consider is parking. Having convenient, accessible parking can make a much bigger difference to your clients than expensive decorations.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Building a successful business takes time, consistency, and perseverance. Focus on your clients, your craft, and creating an experience that makes people want to come back.

I think one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced was the pandemic and the impact it had on the economy and on small businesses. It changed the way people worked, spent money, and interacted with businesses, and it created a lot of uncertainty. At the same time, I think it taught us how important it is to be adaptable and resilient. I’ve seen things gradually improve each year, and I’m very optimistic about where we’re headed. I think there are a lot of opportunities ahead for people who are willing to embrace change, continue learning, and find new ways to grow.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are loyalty, accountability, growth, and compassion. I believe loyalty means being someone others can trust and count on, while accountability means taking responsibility for my actions and always striving to do better. Growth is important to me because I believe we should never stop learning, evolving, and challenging ourselves. Compassion reminds me to lead with kindness and understanding, because you never know what someone else may be going through. These values have shaped who I am and continue to guide the way I approach both my career and my relationships with others.