How a Pandemic Pivot, Suez Canal Blockage, and a 50% Discount Changed My Entire Business

When salons were shut down during the pandemic, I wasn’t behind the chair, but I definitely wasn’t sitting still. I started creating tutorials from home like "How to Style Your Own Hair," "How to Keep Your Color Fresh," and product breakdowns. Whatever people needed to feel good at a time when everything else felt chaotic.

And something unexpected happened. People wanted to support small businesses. Instead of ordering off Amazon, they reached out to me directly for the products I was using in my videos. I’d deliver them while I was out on my daily hike or running errands. I wasn’t just selling shampoo; I was connecting with my community in a whole new way.

Then came the Suez Canal incident. Remember when that massive container ship got stuck? Suddenly, Amazon deliveries were delayed, but I had stock. Turns out, stocking up before a global supply chain crisis pays. All of these experiences have shaped how I run my business and how I help other stylists do the same.

I’ve learned the value of staying small but smart. I don’t need to be a huge brand. I want freedom. I want creativity. I want to work with a small group of badass women who get it. Stylists and salon owners who want to offer luxury hair extensions and high-quality tools without the high markup and all the gatekeeping.

That’s why I’ve created a streamlined system for carrying just the right inventory. The tones and lengths that can be easily customized with the exact same color formulas we use behind the chair. I no longer rely on factory-dyed hair that doesn’t match and won’t blend properly. I custom dye lowlights, root shadows, and tone-match extensions using the exact same professional color line my clients’ natural hair is processed with. It’s fast, seamless, and the result is elevated, low-maintenance luxury for everyday wear.

And yes, I learned this the hard way. (Shout-out to the time I used that 50% discount and went full “kid in a candy store,” only to get hit with surprise duties, taxes, and shipping fees… and a closet full of unpopular hair extension colors I couldn’t sell.)

That’s why I teach stylists how to avoid those mistakes. How to keep inventory lean. How to carry versatile, customizable wefts that blend beautifully. How to never lose a sale because the hair wasn’t in stock. Clients want instant gratification, and when you can offer it, they’ll book on the spot.

Now I’m taking things to the next level.

This year, I’m heading to Europe to meet with new hair distributors in person. I’ll be customizing specs, negotiating pricing, and bringing back options for a small buying group. A “girl gang” of stylists and salon owners who want access to private-label extensions without inflated prices or minimum orders that break the bank.

We’re talking real community. Real knowledge. Real support. No gatekeeping. No fluff.

If you’re a salon owner or stylist who’s tired of feeling stuck between overpriced brands and inconsistent suppliers, I’d love to connect. I’m building this business to support stylists like you. The ones doing the work, delivering results, and ready to create real income from high-ticket services without losing control over their product lines. This is all about owning your craft, your inventory, and your power.

More details coming soon about the Europe trip, the sourcing, and how to get involved in the buying group. If you’re interested, reach out. Let’s grow something meaningful (and profitable) together.