Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Thornton.
Hi Hannah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a great work ethic, always trying to think of the best way to make money and the next thing I could do that no one else is doing. I started working at 11 years old by babysitting for family friends, coworkers of my parents and anyone I could find! I got my first official job on my 16th birthday and worked many different roles and positions till I was 20 years old, at that age I started to feel a huge burn out which started leaving me hopeless and determined to find my career! Since 15 years old one thing about me was my nails were always done and during the time of my burnout, with the economy how it was and still coming out of the covid shut down, it was just something I simply couldn’t afford at the time which led me to deciding to learn how to do my own nails. I spent a year learning how to do them and in that time I realized that I had a huge love for it and decided that it was time to look into beauty school! I originally enrolled as just nails and esthetics, after pretty much finishing my schooling and being weeks from graduation, I started to entertain the idea of doing hair, with the help and support of 2 amazing instructors I had I made the decision to add it to my course. I knew adding the course would make schooling so much longer and with the dedication and determination I had to start working, I managed to finish in 6 months! After graduating beauty school before my 22nd birthday I knew I wanted to open a salon of my own however I didn’t know what that looked like at the time. I ended up renting a suite at a salon downtown for about 6 months and in my time there I entertained the idea of looking for a possible building for my business, that’s when I found the absolute and most perfect opportunity for me to start my business. I was able to have so much support through the people I met in beauty school, the instructors that help build me into the stylist and nail tech I am today as well as family and friends outside of beauty school. Everyone came together and in just a month and a half we managed to do demolition work and a full remodel, we were open and operating by the first week of September with our grand opening being in November! In opening this salon I wanted to provide a space for beauty professionals to truly feel supported, even more so to the people coming fresh out of school. A place where they don’t feel like they are fighting for clients because everyone supports everyone and it’s just an all around positive experience. As well as that, I wanted to provide a salon where clients can always guarantee a quality service and a place where they feel that they can speak up if they aren’t liking a design so they know they are appreciated! I look forward to being able to expand my business and be more involved with the community I was born and raised in!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As much as I would love to say it was a smooth road, there were definitely some challenges. At the start of my business I was hoping to be able to get a start up business loan which was unfortunately not something I was able to obtain. Lots of things did not work out as planned with the remodel, the salon I worked at in the beginning was not happy to find out I was leaving to pursue my own salon which I received a lot of backlash for. Even in my current moments there are still struggles here and there but I continue to remind myself that what I have managed to do is an amazing accomplishment and no matter what challenges have come or will come in the future, I’m determined to work it out!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a hair stylist and a nail technician! I offer all services covered under the two however, I specialize in acrylic, natural nail health and intricate designs for nails. For hair I specialize in blonding and hair extensions! I am certainly most known for my nails as my love for it is what got me to where I am today, service wise they would be what I am most proud of because I have put a lot of time into perfecting the art and technique. I am always open to trying new designs and determined to make sure I can provide what my clients ask for and I always encourage them to feel confident in speaking up about how they want their nails to be but most importantly, the safety, health and sanitation. I make it a point to try and educate all my clients as much as I can so that they know and can share that knowledge with others as well! I honestly believe that is what sets me apart from others, there are so many myths about nails and specifically acrylic which makes me so sad to see because I think it’s such a beautiful art and it’s a great method for nail enhancements. I love to be able to share my knowledge and really communicate with my clients so that they know and trust what’s going on!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There have been a few lessons that I have learned since I have started my journey, the first being the struggles of being a young woman owned business and how to not let those struggles affect you. Opening a business is extremely hard work and I certainly was not prepared for the time and dedication it took, even being someone with a lot of dedication and determination. Another struggle I have found is the ability to provide and help myself in my business as well as helping the people that rent from me, sometimes situations don’t always allow an outcome that will benefit everyone but I am always doing my best to do so for the people that have helped and support me along the way. Patience and customer service is one other struggle that I would consider an important one, it is one of my biggest business goals to always make sure my clients are happy and one thing I have really had to learn is no matter how hard you try, you can’t always make everyone happy and you are not everyone’s cup of tea. In my moments of struggle I turn to the older adults in my life and look to them for guidance, I have many other long time and established business owners that I really turn to in my moments of need and I am so very thankful to have the support that I do. Though the struggles are not far and few, I believe every one of them is extremely important to getting me to where I am today as well as where I will be in the future!
Pricing:
- K-Tip Extensions (hair included) – Starting at $500
- Full highlight – Starting at $200
- Full Set Acrylic/Gel – Starting at $65 (Price increases based on length and art)
- Acrylic Toes – Starting at $75 (Price increases based on art)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meadowschicboutiquellc.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meadowchicc?igsh=NDBxdDY4dXR3aG14&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1MxkZhkYA1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/meadowschicboutique?igsh=cDd3N3M4MjZ4MDA%3D&utm_source=qr
