I’m going all in on something new…

My salon business has been around for several years now and everything that I’ve put online during that time has been to grow that brand. I’ve been hairdressing for just shy of 16 years - which is bonkers, especially when it’s an industry I stumbled upon and never thought I’d enter into.

This isn’t to suggest that I’m no longer going to be hairdressing - I absolutely will be, it’s my bread and butter and is my biggest source of income. But while I am so grateful for everything the hair industry has given me, I’m ready to explore new things. After several massive years of business I now have a lot more time to focus on new ventures; I’ve taken website coding courses, marketing courses, photography programs and even course creation masterminds but even after exploring all of these avenues, I’m finding it hard to know where I’d like to land.

I built a salon ownership course that generated another 50k for my company last financial year, an amazing result for something I only really put 5% of my energy into but mentoring didn’t feel like it. I taught myself how to code websites and rebuilt my own from scratch but hours behind the screen didn’t really feel like something I’d want to pursue full time either. Photography is something i’ve always wanted to explore and has probably felt like the closest thing to what really lights me up but I wasn’t sure this was my avenue either…

Long story short, I’ve realised that the best thing for me to do right now is to go deeper with building an aligned community online - one that isn’t about business, but about all of the things I love most. A strong personal brand.

For the next few months I’m going to really delve into my social media strategy - why? Because if I can foster something special there, it will give me endless opportunities later. I’ve always been super creative - when I was younger, I’d organise photoshoots, make clothes and would constantly be filming home videos. When I’m riding horses, storytelling and exploring rural places, it’s when I’m happiest, so why not do more of it?

I don’t want to work full-time behind the chair for another 16 years - I feel a little guilty saying it but it’s the truth. At my core I’m entreprenurial, I like creating and bringing life to new ideas. While my salon is the biggest and most important (work thing) in my life right now, who’s to say that different paths won’t be carved out for me in the years to come? Why shouldn’t they be?

So instead of feeling scared about putting myself out there and creating in new ways - I’ve decided to go all in. I’ll be sharing my progress with you all here - because when I talk to my friends about growing a social media following, quitting our 9-5 and being location independent, I’m not the only one who daydreams about making it a reality.

My aim is to build something alongside my salon - so that I can explore what opportunities may arise from showing more of me, beyond my craft. Because let’s face it, if I can build a highly engaged audience who show up for that, it’ll only have a positive impact on any of the brands I create - and I expect to create a few.

So if you’re following me on instagram or TikTok, expect to see a lot more. Think romantic, western storytelling that’s got a fashion and lifestyle focus. If we fast forward 6 months and I’m reaching Leanne Ansar status, that would be fab. (A gal can dream right…) and if you’re thinking of doing the same, I’d urge you to do so. There’s no point in staying still, and we all feel a little silly when we’re starting out.

Rooting for you x

Mikki