Meet Shelby Rose | Curly hair specialist and educator

I wanted to start my own business to have total freedom over all of the choices I make for myself. In order to do this, I knew I had to stay true to my dreams, while learning more about how to be completely independent as a hair stylist and businesswoman.

When I first got out of beauty school, I heard of a lot of people going right behind the chair, renting a chair or a booth, and failing or struggling. So I decided to work for others at first because I didn’t want that to happen to me. After a few years behind the chair working for others I found myself stuck in other people’s visions, views, and dreams. And not ever truly accomplishing my own.

I began daydreaming about having my own salon, what it would look like, and what I would be able to do for my clients. I wanted to have a place where my clients could come and be taken care of holistically. And for me to teach them self-care with their hair and wellness, so they could continue to do this at home. As a Black women I wanted to facilitate Black women’s wellbeing, wellness and have them truly see and love their hair natural. I have clients of all different back grounds and race’s but for black women I wanted them to experience something special. I try to bring to that to all my clients.

Throughout all the doubt and stress life throws at you, I finally realized that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. And now I have Shelby Rose Curls Studio!

Do you have a budget? How do you think about your personal finances and how do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?

My passion for budgeting comes from a family background where I grew up in constant financial struggle. Some of my elderly family, even today at seventy live paycheck to paycheck. Seeing this struggle drove me to understand the importance of financial independence and responsibility, so I could have a more fruitful business and personal life.

To plan my budget, I think of my life–work balance first. I focus on my savings and include not just what I need for my business. But I also include what I want to do with my personal time. I plan and price my vacations and things outside of work that will make me happy.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

More recently I have gotten comfortable with being uncomfortable when changes need to happen. If you can do that, then you will know how to assess risk. Back in 2019, I felt stuck that I hadn’t accomplished any career or educational goals.

At first, I just kept complaining instead of taking action and making changes in my life. I needed that nudge to just jump! At first, it was terrifying to leave the salon where I had been an employee for five years because I felt comfortable there, like a second home. I liked everyone, and I was grateful to have a workplace that felt like family. But I knew staying there didn’t align with my goals. When I saw my chance, I jumped! I asked a friend if they had any space in their salon.

After I became my own boss, I started to make waves and my success happened very quickly. I started to gain amazing new clients that really loved my work and appreciated me. I didn’t feel pressured like in the past to do something I didn’t want to do. By taking this risk, I hit all of my five-year-plan goals within one year!

I kept taking these jumps that made me really uncomfortable at first. I knew getting comfortable being uncomfortable would mean making risks to get to my goals faster. And to grow even more. It only takes one change to shift your life.

I wholeheartedly believe in my curly haired clients (and all clients) having the power to make informed choices and to take care of themselves with hair and beauty with my help. For all of my clients, but especially my female clients with curly hair, they have felt like it’s difficult to find a place that listens to them, as individuals. And is able to give them the advice and services they need. The success of my brand prides itself on being able to be flexible to provide services to all of my clients, no matter their race, gender, age, or orientation. A lot of clients of color or older clients with natural or curly hair textures are given a hard time about their hair. I give them a space where they can truly see themselves and meet with a hair artist and educator they trust. A lot of my clients told me I have changed their life forever. They feel free to be exactly who they are.