Meet Yoli Fleming | Founder/Owner/Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yoli Fleming and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yoli, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
I think the most important thing my career has taught through the years is to be honest, caring, excepting a challenge, building confidence and taking on challenges straight forward and not being afraid. Last , but not least, an excellent eye as an artist with the ability to create in the beauty industry, giving that personal attention to your clients. All of that being said, rolled up into one, becoming an outstanding member of the community, social skills and talent is the key to a successful woman in business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started beauty school at a very young age of 16 years old and attending high school at the same time, which was very challenging. By the time I was 18 graduated high school, and two months later graduated Beauty School I was the only one out of all of my friends that was working when they were 18 years old, everybody else had a summer hanging out at the beach. I was working apprenticing at a salon in Santa Monica and 1984. It was very very competitive industry and very cutthroat which is hard to excel and left zero room for growth so I felt like I wasn’t getting nowhere being an assistant , but I still stuck it out and learned everything about running a salon back office two out on the floor behind the chair. I took all of that knowledge stayed there for 15 years eventually going on the floor behind the chair not really building a big clientele, but mostly doing a lot of the back office things which I seem to enjoy more at the time , because I was helping out the owner who was ill. We then had a falling out, and I left, got married had a child was being a mom my husband and I were really struggling at the time left the beauty industry. To get a full-time job with benefits I started working for a fortune 500 company working my way up to management within five years. It still wasn’t my dream job but I stayed because the money was good and it helped us get out of our slump and buy our new first home. Shortly after that I got a small inheritance which paid off our debt & helped me decide to go back into the beauty industry. Took some extensive courses. And decided to take that knowledge and go out there and look for a high end salon in SouthBay. After countless interviews, no such luck, I had one other place to look at which was downtown El Segundo, which I haven’t been to in years, it all of a sudden started to rain and I did not remember anything since the town had changed so much so I decided to make a u turn and I ended up right in front of a salon with a “stylist wanted” sign in the window. I called the salon, and the woman answered and said yes, I do have a Station available. Would you like to come by and see it?. I said yes walked in and it just felt right. I ended up staying there for two months not one client came in but I was proactive started helping her with her clients assisting her answering her phones, etc. and all of a sudden she comes to me and asked me if I wanted to take over the salon because she’s retiring, now mind you I used to sit there with no one in the shop with me and look at every single corner what I would do differently if it was mine. Immediately went home that evening and spoke to my husband about it. We had a little nest egg from my inheritance, leftover in savings , and he saw that sparkle in my eye that I could do this and I could do this on my own went just the next day and told her yes I would buy the salon from her, went through the legalities and logistics about everything and took over the salon in 2003 and I’ve been there ever cents. I have grown so much that since then . Making more money now than I’ve ever made in my entire life and having the freedom and capability to do so it’s wonderful feeling of accomplishment & confidence. I have mentored many stylists as well to get their independent businesses off the ground.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Early arrival – LAX ✈️ 7:00am

Day 1 – West Hollywood
Joan’s on Third (Brunch) 11:00am

The Grove Farmers Market

Barton G’s ( Dinner & Drinks) 7:00pm

Day 2 – Venice
Cow’s End ( Breakfast)

Stroll on Venice Boardwalk

SugarFish ( Dinner & Sake ) 6:00pm

Day3 – Lowe’s Hotel Pool – Cabana ( Brunch )

Santa Monica Pier – concert on the pier

BOA Steakhouse ( Dinner & Drinks) 7:00pm

Day 4 – Hermosa Beach

Good Stuff ( Breakfast ) 10:00am

Pro Volleyball Tournament on the beach 12:00pm

Patrick Malloy’s ( Dinner & Drinks)
7:00pm

Day 5 – Palos Verdes

Terranea Cove Sea Cave (Brunch) 10:00am

The Links at Terranea Golf Course (9 hole)
12:00pm Golf Tee Time

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
(Dinner & Drinks) 7:00pm

DAY 6 – Return flight
LAX ✈️ 11:00pm

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my story to my Auntie Andrea, who was a hairdresser as well. I always looked up to her. She always had such a bright spark in her eye and twinkle in her smile! Always such a caring demeanor to her. I always admired her. I used to ask her for advice, on a yup weekly basis. She really was very supportive to throughout my career, becoming a business owner. Big shout out to you, Auntie Andrea , I love you to the moon and back! Rest in paradise 🌺

Website: Https://Www.grandillusionshair.com

Instagram: @grandillusionhairwellness

Facebook: Grandillusionshairwellness

Yelp: Grand illusions hair & wellness studio

Image Credits
Yoli Fleming Tony Fleming Lexi Fleming Kona Kai 🐾