Her Story
About Teresa
Teresa Johnson has over 30 years of experience in the hair industry and owns her own salon business. Inspired as a child by watching her mother's hairdresser, she has built her career by first working a job to establish her clientele over 20 years before relying solely on the salon. She does all types of hair, not limited by race, and aims to create a diverse, well-rounded salon that serves everyone and makes clients feel better about themselves. Teresa attributes her success to God, who enables her to create hairstyles from her dreams. She advises young women entering the field to do research, avoid moving too fast, pray, secure a financial advisor and planner, and budget properly since the industry lacks built-in benefits like 401k plans. She highlights challenges such as the age gap between older and younger stylists and opportunities in knowledge-sharing groups without gatekeeping. Her core values include staying true to how one was raised if it was right and maintaining integrity and authenticity.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Teresa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God because I have dreams of hairstyles and he allows me to actually create them and make them manifest.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do your research. Don't move too fast. Always pray. I actually had a job first to build up my clientele. Have a financial advisor, a planner, someone to teach you how to put money back for the future. Budget your money correctly.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is the age gap from older stylists to the younger stylists. They don't want to work with us, think we don't know anything. Opportunities include having groups that teach and share knowledge without gatekeeping, as there is enough money to go around.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Whatever you were raised, however you were raised, and you know it was right, stay with that. Don't change. Keep your integrity most of all and stay authentic.
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