024 - Opening a Debt-Free Salon with Jenn Santos

In this inspiring episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations, we sit down with Jenn Santos, a visionary salon owner who shares her remarkable journey from a passionate hairstylist to opening her own debt-free salon. Jen dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of her entrepreneurial path, offering invaluable insights into financial planning, mindset, and the power of a supportive community. Whether you're in the beauty industry or any field of entrepreneurship, Jen's story of determination, strategic planning, and success will motivate you to transform your vision into reality.

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Transcript

1:09

Welcome to Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations. I'm your host, Lisa Huff. Over the last five years, I've coached hundreds of hairstylists and beauty industry professionals, helping them work their dream schedules exclusively with their dream clientele and earn their dream income. income, all while fostering genuine connections and lifelong friendships inside the beauty industry. And this podcast, we dive deep into abundance, manifestation, business building strategies, and creating a life that you are truly proud of both behind the chair and at home. Are you ready to embark on a journey of personal growth, success, and sisterhood, then hit that subscribe button now and get ready to experience the pure magic of Silas Old Tribe Conversations. Hi, friends. Welcome back to Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations. I am joined today with a member of SST, Jen Santos. Jen is someone that I have been coaching and have the joy to get to know over the last year or so. How long has it been, Jen? How long have you been in Soul Tribe? It's been almost, I think July or August will be two years. Two years. Okay. I knew it's been a while, but time also flies. Let me tell you guys, Jen is a powerhouse. She's humble. She keeps to herself, but because I have had the privilege of working with her, I can see just how impressive she is from the outside looking in. This is the first time Jen has ever been on a podcast. She was telling me before we hit record, she's feeling a little bit nervous. This is so outside of her comfort zone, but Jen is somebody Where, like I said, I get the privilege of talking to all of these, you know, beauty industry professionals on a daily basis. Jen's not trying to shout her achievements from the rooftop. She's just over here, like, really actually doing the damn thing and doing it really, really well. So I wanted to bring her on and just share her story with all of you. So Jen, you want to just do, like, a quick little introduction of who you are, where you're from, how you've gotten here. Yeah, I'm Jen. Thank you, Lisa, for having me. I have been in the industry for about 16 years now. I live in Northern California and I currently own a booth rental salon. I'm a mom of two, been married for, I think, seven years. I should probably know that. I should probably know that too. I don't know either. Right. But yeah, working mama and just trying to live the dream and it's been a journey. Yeah, I love it. I love it. So every time I, I mean, Jen was the one person, she didn't ask to be on the podcast. I asked her to come on because we were in a Soul Tribe call and over, she opened her salon in November and we're recording this in March. It'll probably come out later because I'm pretty batched, which is great. But A few months back, she just, the salon was just coming to life, and it's so fulfilling and cool watching that happen, and Jen was just kind of sharing her story with me, and I was like, I am just so impressed by you. Like, I need to have you on. We need to talk about it. So that's why I have her here. So, I, She was like, what direction are we going, Lisa? I'm nervous, you gotta give me, like, something to go off of, and I'm like, you just, like, brain dump some points of, like, what your story is, what's made you who you are today, how you have achieved what you've achieved cause I'm always thinking of who's listening to this, and, like, hindsight being 20 20, and if someone is a 5 year, 10 year, younger version of you, Jen, like, what are the messages that they need to hear, you know? So, Jen did some brain dumping, so we both have a little bit of talking points but You put, you're like, I don't know if I want to go this direction or not, it may be a waste of time, but you were, you shared a little bit about your childhood, which I didn't even know this, I know SST20 did know this because you guys are so close and so tight, I don't remember you ever sharing that with me, so why don't you tell us a little bit, go all the way back to kind of like your childhood, because it sounds like the way that you grew up was really pivotal in like the woman becoming the woman that you are today. Totally. I feel like I, so I am the youngest of two. My sister was about four when I was born and I come from, you know, an amazing mom and dad. I mean, my family was amazing. I was born and at three months old had a very rare blood disorder disease called aplastic anemia. So it is where your, it's a blood condition that your body fails to make blood cells, which re enacts with your white blood cells, your red blood cells, your platelets. So the only cure for that is a bone marrow transplant. So it's technically not cancer. But it's, it's cancer's last form of, like, treatment. So, my four year old sister had to be tested, my mom had to be tested, my dad, family, they go through banks of, like, donors. My dad ended up being my donor. He was my, like, almost perfect match, which is wild. Because usually it's your sibling. You know, so to put a four year old through that to like, okay, I'll save your sister, right? Yeah. So my dad and I have been very, very close, you know, because of that. But yeah, so I was about three months old at the time, stayed in the hospital. I think my mom and dad said maybe three months ish. And then on and on, on and off had to see an oncologist until I was 18. And then now, you know, I do have a close relationship. Yeah. with my doctor and you know, we make sure everything is fine. And a few other things kind of have come up from there, but now it's incredible. I'm healthy. I've had no side, no side effects. A big one was being able to have kids and I'm so, Damn grateful to have both of my kids here and you know, they're healthy and they haven't had to go through anything like this. So it's really, I feel like pushed me to have, you know, truly that second chance and like, I'm going to make something, you know, I'm going to, you know, I'm gonna do something. What age do you remember that, like, because I, okay, this happened when you're three months old. You have no memory of it, you know, so like, but your whole entire life, you remember these stories of like, back when Sissy was sick or whatever, like, what age do you remember that? Because I think it's so fascinating, especially now as a mom, like, I know fourth grade, my, like, I have no Whatever brain exists in my skull right now, I remember it then. Like, it's, it's, it's interesting, like, I have memories previous to that, but I remember, like, back then thinking, like, I kind of get it. Or, like, I would just have complex thoughts at that age. Like, what age do you remember being, like, I need to do something? Like, that's such a fascinating thing, and I would love to know where, what that was like. I don't truly even know. I feel like high school is probably big. My parents were both always like workaholics. They both worked full time jobs. We, we grew up in a time to where, you know, your parents worked. You were home alone by yourself or, you know, you were so independent. So I, I think a combination of everything, you know, my parents working really hard to give me and my sister an amazing life and to have, you know, I don't want to say I'm spoiled, but we, we were well taken care of. Which showed me like, okay, you have to work. And it was done by intent, intentionally. Yeah. Yeah. And you saw that. Yeah. So I think it was more just like conditioned to like keep going. And then as I feel like, you know, these other things kind of happened in my health and it kind of just made me look like, oh, like this isn't normal, you know, I don't know if it was done intentionally to like, you're normal. Everything's fine. You know, because. things were so crazy. But, and I think that's what a lot of my, you know, thoughts are too, like, oh, it's normal. It's fine. Everyone, everyone deals with this. It's no big deal. Which that just was a lightbulb, right? Yeah, and as your brain continues to like develop and you understand things more and more, you're just like, wait a minute, wait a minute. So yeah, you kind of just always knew. And just being, and I know you shared a little bit too, it's a long story so we won't go there. But there was like a scare in high school where you like thought there was a tumor, there wasn't. So it's like these moments where you're just like, This all could be gone. Like, I need to, I need to do something, you know, with myself. You went to beauty school through high school as well, right? Tell me a little bit about that story, how you went into this industry and that journey. Yeah. So I loved getting my hair done. I'm a May baby. So it was like six months, I would have a birthday, get my hair done. Six months, Christmas, get my hair done. That's what you wanted to spend your money on. That's what I always wanted to spend my money on. I loved doing different colors, different styles. Like I was one of those clients that's like, do whatever you want. And it was so fun. So I had a love of doing hair my senior year of high school. I did the ROP program, went to high school, went to beauty school right after you know, split the day and then graduated what June of 2007 and had my license January 2008. So It was like right out of high school. I remember going to my very first salon the day, literally on my way home from state board, and was like, okay, here's my test, like, I passed, are you gonna hire me? Yeah. Not wasting any time. Yeah, you know, had my own little like look book, I know you're not surprised by that, and, you know, just like, and I'm just like, here you go, like, are you gonna hire me? And they were like, okay. Sure. Yeah. So so yeah, I started working there and it was an assistant and it was like one of like the top salons in the area. It was so cool. Got to learn a ton, got to learn a ton. And that's when like updos are really big and I'm like, Oh, you guys, I'm not so good at this, but I got to learn color some cutting, a lot of good things. Good foundation. And a lot of my clients came from those days and they're still with me now, you know, six years later. Yeah, it's incredible. So I worked there for about a year and a half ish from 2000, early seven, eight to 2000, end of 2009. And then that's when I left there and started working at a salon suite with a couple, well, with one of my good girlfriends. And she was with two other people. So her and I shared a station and just like, I was still working another job. So it was, I was always kind of going, always a tattoo job. And then it was a suite, it was a three chair suite, really teeny tiny. We shared, I think I worked like two days a week, three days a week or something. And then, No, it was your other job. No, I'm just curious. This has nothing to do with the plot. I'm just curious. So, what was my other job there? So, I worked I worked at an elementary school as, like, a secretary. Yeah. I worked at Safeway for a long time. Huh. And then I worked at a commercial heating and air company. Okay. That's so funny. So, it was, like, Right? Admin. Yeah. But that doesn't surprise me because I've always been like that too. Like, in high school, I worked at Texas Roadhouse, or during the summer, I worked at the Big Basin Marina, which my, like, my dad kept our boat at. I would sell, like, boat launch passes. I made so much money doing that job. I wish I could go do that again. I would just lay in my swimsuit on a golf cart and just, like, sell people boat passes and make commission the whole time. Yeah, Texas Roadhouse. That the basin and I was like Culver's a little bit so that doesn't surprise me like I feel like you are just someone that just like and that's why when accountability or things like that. I'm always so impressed by you, but you've just always done shit like you just don't waste time. I don't know any other way and it just it feels so normal to me. And I'm, I'm learning that it's not, you know I mean, grateful for what it does provide you, but definitely there comes the other end of that pendulum and that balance that is sometimes hard to navigate. Yeah. Oh, absolutely. Because it's like, when do you stop? You know, you tell me all the time. It's okay to pause. Like, appreciate and like you just built an entire new salon. What do you mean? Your next homework should be like the next big thing. Sometimes you got to chill. Yeah, I know. I know chill is hard. We're learning chill. They teach me chill. So thank you. So yeah, so I worked at the commercial heating and air company and and the owner of that company. He knew he was a family friend that ended up hiring me. He was Freaking amazing. Like, gave me medical insurance, everything, and worked, like, bare minimum. He was like, like, I, I, and so when I finally quit, he was like, I'm not surprised. I didn't think you'd stay here this long. Yeah, I was happy I could help you during your journey. Yeah. Yeah, I think it was like three, I think it was almost three years that I was there, you know? Okay. I would work from 6:00 AM to like two 30. I'd go straight to the salon from like three to nine, three to 10, and Wow. You just hustle. Just did it, you know? Yeah. I knew that this is what I wanted to do, so, so like three years into your suite, you go all in on hair, is that correct timeline? Tell me I guess about that. Yeah. Let's see, 2000. Yeah, so we were in, we moved a couple of different suites in the building, we just kept growing and kind of moving, so we were in one for five years, so after the, yeah, probably, probably five years and then we moved, we were in that suite for a year, and then that's when I was solo by myself, and then we were in our other suite for, When you say we, this is just like suite mates? So this is, so they're suite mates. So there is five core of us that were in those suites the whole time. And then four of them are what we, when we opened our own storefront. So they were my, you know, my business partners and we co owned the salon together. Yeah. Love it. So yeah, tell me about that journey from being in a studio into opening your first salon, because when you joined Soul Tribe just about two years ago, you were still in that position with all the co owners. And I vividly remember being like, how's that going? Because I feel like from the outside, looking in from a coach's perspective, I've seen a lot of things that like, I probably wouldn't do because I just see how Challenging. Some things can be, and a partnership is one of those. Like, unless it's my husband, which even that probably wouldn't be a good idea, but I do know a few people who, like, have a partnership with their spouse, and that works. But, like, when it comes to friends and stuff, I've just seen that get tricky for a lot of people. And again, that's part of what I said I wanted to do on the podcast. You have handled it all with such grace and, like, maintained friendships, but found a way to work around it. So, tell me a little bit about how the salon, with all the co owners, came to life. Let's go that route. So, it kind of almost, almost, like, a Forced on us because we were growing, we all needed our own chair or our own station and we just didn't have the room. So a space. So the suites, it's like a two story. So upstairs is like the suites and then the downstairs. It's like actual commercial buildings, right? And so one of the suites, our landlord was like, it's open, you know, if you guys want to move down there, like, that's fine. So we were going from, I don't even know what our square footage in the suite was, 300 maybe, I don't know, it was tiny, to like a 1, 200 foot space. So, it was a big, big adjustment of, you know, much more. But same landlord. So that is, how do you say no to that? Yeah. You can't, you can't. It kind of fell into your lap. Mm hmm. Yeah. So there was the five of us, it was, you know, much more of a financial obligation to move. So one of our girls, she was like, you know, it's just not for me right now. For sure. With respect. And we're like, cool, no problem. She still worked with us. She still works with me. But it just, she knew it wasn't for her. So the four of us were like, well, we're in, you know, so we're good. Let's let's do it. Yeah. So everything was kind of split four ways. What year was that? That was 2018. Okay. Yeah. 2018. No, 19, 19, 2018. Okay. And I just, it felt natural. It felt right. We had all worked together for so long that it just felt like we were still operating as a suite, just in a bigger space, you know we didn't have any other renters at that time. We shortly hired our first one. in July, I think that same year. So we were kind of learning as we went, you know but it was, it was really good. And I mean, and, and even towards the end, it was still really good. I just wanted more, you know, there, four people is a lot. And we all, I mean, a partnership with two people is a lot of partnership with four people is a lot. So how did you go from like this idea? Cause I remember, and I'm, I'm sure these women will listen to it. So just as your coach, like I remember you. Having these, like, tugs, but you cared about these people so much, and so that was difficult to navigate for you, not knowing what to say, how to share it, like, When would you say that seed, like, started, like, getting planted in your head, and what did it look like, and what did you dream of that was more, that was different, that owning in a, in a 4 op co ownership didn't allow? So, I started my Thrivers journey in 2019. Clearly learned a lot from Brit and truly changed the way that I thought about my business. Starting from then, so I think I started Thrivers in November or something. We had moved in this suite earlier, you know I think we were in April 1st. So really like honestly right after, you know, 2020. Your eyes just got opened up to taking the business more serious and how it could Yeah. Yeah, and just really like me starting to implement and no one else kind of wanted to be on board. They're like, oh, we don't need to do that, you know, all old school, which is fine. There's nothing wrong with that. And no one knocked me for wanting to do anything. Everyone was super supportive. But finally it got to the point where like, you know, I would do like a hot towel treatment and the client next to me would be like, oh, that smells so good. I'm like, Sorry, you know, like what like what do you say, you know, and I tried to tell them like hey all this stuff You guys can absolutely use And it was just certain things that you know, I found Our stylists were coming to me for like, hey, what do I do about this, or I was kind of managing a lot of it. Yeah, yeah, and we each had our, the four of us that owned it had, we each had our strong points, right? And clearly that one was mine. So it was just, it's always been a dream. I remember my dad telling me, you know, before I even started beauty school, like, well, if this is what you want to do, you know, don't waste time, like do it in high school. So if you don't like it, you know, you know, you could go to college. And then he, you know, and then he also said, you know, I just don't want you working for someone your whole life because the beauty industry was so misconstrued back then and not anything like what it actually is, right. Or I would say, I mean, Pretty soon into it and I was honest from the beginning and I just said, you know I probably won't renew the lease like it's always been a dream of mine to own my own salon And I was never I never lied about that. I wasn't I was always very forthcoming And I had looked at the space, Probably about a year before. No one knew. I mean, it doesn't just happen overnight. Clearly, there was some thought to it. Yeah. Yeah. So we were kind of, I was just like looking for spaces and seeing, I've heard things that like commercial buildings and commercial properties take so long to negotiate, so long to find. And I'm like, well, what does it hurt to, you know, to start? So I found this space. There isn't actually a salon there before. And And the landlord, a lot was going on, and I'm like, okay, if it works out, it's meant to be, it's, it's meant to be. A couple months later, just kept working, just kept like, you know, tucking money away, just saving everything, and Oh, let's work this timeline out, though. Okay. So you open the salon in like 2018, 2019. Because again, I'm thinking of someone who knows that this is their dream one day, and like Again, how you have done it, we'll drop the bomb here soon, that Jen did it completely debt free, which I'm so incredibly impressed by. Somebody who wants to be in that position so many years from now, like, this is where I really want to capture it. So, like, these are the things you can start doing so it's not just like, you hope this somehow comes together. Like, you were very intentional about it. So, 2019, You opened the salon pretty quickly and you realized this is a good transition, stepping stone. Eventually I want to own something that is mine, that I make complete decisions on, yada yada. What year was your lease going to be up and when did you start tucking away money just knowing that one day you were going to do this? So I feel like I've always tucked away money. I've always been a good saver. I got that from my grandparents. Just saved, saved, saved. I didn't know really what I was saving for, but I knew, I knew I was going to be saving. I knew this eventually would happen. Our lease was supposed to It never hurts to sit on a pile of cash. Like it makes things easier. Right? Totally. Our lease was to be up actually this month. Wow. So, we ended up getting out of our lease early. Okay. Well, I'll, I'll, I'll wait to that part. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So, the, the new salon happened a little sooner than I would have probably liked. I would have loved to finish out the, you know, seamlessly. Yeah. Mm hmm. Huh. But that wasn't what was in the cards. It didn't align. So, yeah. So, the space became available and then how was that? In like June of, June of twenty, Yeah. 23. June of 23. I'm like, what year are we in? June of 23. And so we were kind of working on the lease and I signed the lease August 1st of 2023. Knowing, okay, worst case scenario, I'm gonna have to pay for two salons, you know, and if that's what I have to do to meet my obligations for my co, you know, co stylist, co owners, like, I have to be prepared to do that. And again, that's why I just like integrity. There's three other people owning this salon. If you wanted to, and I see so many people do this, and I know when emotions are high and there's money on the line, like, sometimes not the best version of us shows up. Like, I, there's, I can think of a couple people that this is happening with in Soul Tribe right now, and I can't blame them either. Like, there's drama going on, they just want to step out and be like, you know, fuck off, what are you going to do about it? Kind of thing. But watching you, Jen, handle this was so amazing. So much integrity, like you were budgeting with not, Oh, there's three other girls that can keep the salon operating. Surely if I dip out, they can find a way to rearrange this. Sure. Is it legally binding? But like the whole entire time you just were like, I'm going to do the right thing. I'm gonna, you know, take the loss that I need to. And I, you know, for a while assumed business loan taking place in that. And I think that was the moment that I said, come on, the podcast when you really shared that you did all of this completely debt free and just with that set aside. So, like, less than I want to be is like, save, save, save, save, save. Do you have any like actual tips for that? Because it's like, oh, yeah, that always sounds great. Like do you just live that? Completely below your means. Does that come off the top? Is that profit first? Like where, what are you doing? So it's kind of a mix of profit first and like the old cash system, you know? So I will start, I claim everything. There's not nothing that I do not claim. But anytime I would get cash, the cash would go in an envelope. The cash doesn't get deposited, the cash is out of sight, out of mind. And then with my account, like everything from cards and everything too. I try to do anywhere from 15 to 30 percent at the end of the month, you know, I'll see what I made and I'll just throw it in. And I do have a ton of different accounts, like tax account, savings account, you know, all the things, right? So it's not touched. It is not touched. Yeah, so it's just really being intentional and not going through and spending, you know, did the color cleanse and really like made sure I'm not over buying anymore because I used to a ton. And then it was like, okay, I saw how good I had it with, you know, co owning, right? Our, our bills were very minimal. And It was like, okay, I had to go step into this new role and I had to be able to afford everything on my own. So I talking to my husband, I'm like, babe, if we, if I only bring in, you know, like a hundred bucks a month, because I'm paying all of this, are we okay with that? And he's like, Yeah, like if that's what you want to do. Yeah. Same way if you said, babe, I'm really feeling called to be a stay at home mom. He'd be like, okay, we'll make it work. Yeah, like if he, and I also think that's a huge testament to your marriage and the partner that you have and all of that because not everyone has that either, but that's beautiful that that was, that you went into it knowing this isn't going to be, there's a chance that this is not super profitable off the bat. There's a chance that we're, you know, Hardly scraping by in the beginning, but I think that also goes to show how much you wanted it. Because that's not like it was just the bright, shiny thing that you were chasing after. Like, it was much deeper than that. So, what was the vision for HB Collective, like, from the very beginning? Like, what is it? Like, when you just think of it as a whole, like, what is it? How would you describe it? It is being a place to where clients can come and stylists can come. The stylist can get the education they want. The clients can feel truly pampered and cared for, you know, thinking about thinking about the mom, right? We have people at us, mom, mom, mom, we're always doing everything, you know, for everyone else, when is it your time to be taken care of, whether that's for two or three hours, every six, eight weeks, right? And so doing those little things like, you know, and they're just so small, like the hot towels, the beverages, like. If you see someone sitting there with their cup of water half empty, Hey, can I refill that for you? Truly treating people. Yeah. Yeah. Truly treating people the way that they should be treated and giving them an experience. We have a couple like higher end areas that are like 30 minutes for me. And I see clients all the time driving out there. I'm like, why we are right here. Like here I am. So just bringing that to our smaller community. And being that place that you can get haircuts, you can get color, you can get extensions, you can get scalp facials, you can get all these things right here in our hometown. Hmm. Love that. Love that. Yeah. And so then, what did that look like when you finally did share with the girls? Because I remember you were worried and it ended up working out so well. Yes, I was terrified. My, going back real quick, my husband, he was truly amazing and the girls will tell you, my SST 20. And I had to ask so many times, like, I knew deep down that I could do it, but it wouldn't be just me letting someone down, right? It'd be my husband. It would be my family. It would be my kids. My kids are the Y. They are the HB to the HB. You know, so like, What's our worst case scenario? We live in our trailer. He's like, no, we would sell the trailer. That's worst case scenario, right? We're fine. And I'm like, okay, but you're like, like entertain me. Like if I really royally fail. Yes. Are you going to rub this in my face? Are you mad at me? Did I fuck up? I'm like, sometimes we need to play. I don't know. I'm sure you watched. This is us. You feel it. You said yes. I love what like what's his name? Why am I Sterling K. Brown. What is his character? Randall. Randall. Randall. I love when they used to play, like, what's the worst that happens? And they, like, say the most dramatic thing. But I need to do that, too. Like, are we still together? Is, are we still a team? You're not saying, oh, Jen, you told me this was gonna take off to the moon, and now look what's happened. I love that you guys hashed that. Yes, because realistically, I'm taking a huge chunk from our savings, right? So, like, he had to be okay with it, and he, Just a little shout out. He was phenomenal, right? I mean, we all saw that. So going, going back. Sorry, I just had to add that in. Oh, you should. Going back. So I told the girls that I, after I signed the lease I said, You know, you know, that this has always been a dream of mine that the space became available. I had to jump on it. You know, it's, we have construction to do. Construction will probably take three or four months. Like, I don't plan on going anywhere. I'm planning to be here right now. My financial end of the bargain. Yeah, absolutely. And they were very supportive. They were very happy for me. They completely understood where I was coming from. I'm sure that they probably wish the timing was different. I mean, we all do. But they were so supportive. I kind of kept it quiet. I wasn't going to tell our renters at the time. I just, you know, this was me leaving. I had to be okay with, not that we were having a breakup, but like being okay being by myself. You know, I had, I had to come to that. And so as much as I wish I could have still worked with them, There's, there was no way that I could, I couldn't not try. And you would have been almost, like, entitled, assuming that they were gonna, you know, that, like, this was gonna end up differently, like, you're like, I know I'm leaving, I'm making a choice, I can't make a decision for any of you, like, we're gonna, Do this on the best terms possible. And then what ended up happening, because I just want to say I called it. I remember a few months back when that happened. I'm like, I think all these girls are going to end up there with you, Jen, because this is just too good. Too good, right? So, during that time, right, when I didn't tell anyone, we still had people coming in. Like, I was doing the interviews. And I did not say a solitary thing and they're like, well, do you want to, do you want this girl for your new salon? I'm like, no, like I am here. I am fully committed to this salon until I leave. Right. And even then I'm here to help. So once one of my renters, she, they kind of knew that she was going to go. And so she told them, they're like, you know what? I'm going to go with Jen. It just seems to be a good fit. They're like, totally fine. We get it. For sure. So then the turning point was when one of my other renters, she was like, okay, I just broke it to them. Like, I want to go with you. You know, that's what's best for me. And that's when things kind of got a little more slippery. Because they're realizing those, those budgets going to change a lot if they're going to stay. Yeah. Yes. And I'm like, you guys, we can, we can find renters. I could help you find renters. We'll get those spaces right. Get those spaces full. And they're like, We don't want this. And I remember, I'm not going to say any names, but one of, one of my coworkers, she was like, can we go see the space? And I'm like, are you sure? Like, no one had seen anything at this point. You know, I kept everything very private. I wasn't trying to rub anything. And, and like separate. So I'm like, I mean, if you want to, she's like, let's go. And I'm like, okay. So it was late after work one night. We went there and she was like, okay, lay it all out for me. And I'm like, okay. You know, it's just kind of going over everything. And she's like, I don't want to, I don't want to own. I don't, I don't want to do this. And I'm like, okay, like. She's like, can't, how do you feel? And I'm like, I mean, I would, of course, love to not ever leave any of you. Like, I love you, you know, I don't want to not work with you. It's, I just want these things. But I'm not going to pull salon ownership from you if that's what you want. And that's the thing is you guys opened the salon together. You kind of took on these leadership roles, but like, maybe they just wanted to run a different kind of salon than you wanted to run. And then slowly, but surely I just remember like month after month, getting on the calls and hearing the polos. It was just like. It happened so beautifully and everyone or did one person end up not coming? So everyone but one person didn't end up coming. She was able to get her own suite. Very mixed. Still all love there. Yeah. Yes. Still love, at least, at least on my side. You know, I just, I just had to keep true of what I wanted. I knew that if I kept everything the same, I wouldn't be able to do it. I would be resentful, you know, I would have spent all this money for, for what, you know and maybe I should have asked them before like, Hey, do you guys even want to own? Can I buy the salon? But at the same time, the space had so many memories. I don't think I would be as successful as I am if we didn't jump, you know, something new. Yeah. Probably even Jen, at that time when you were doing a lot of those things, they probably thought they still did want to own, but it was like almost like time has to go on for them to realize. And again, all love, but like in any relationship, if anything, like you almost. Don't realize what you have until it's gone kind of thing. And then once they realize like, oh, this is what this new normal is going to look like, we don't even need to own. Let's go, you know? Totally. So yeah, all, all six of us are, you know, are together, and it is magical, and I am just so happy, and they all know I'm a little a little anal about certain things, and so I remember, I'm like, full disclosure, this is what I want, here's my handbook, you tell me. Like, I'm leaving it, this is all up to you. I'm not, if you want to go to sleep, if you want to do whatever, don't feel like you have to come. But this is my vision. Yeah, and if, and if you're not on board with that, that's okay. Like, that is okay. And I just remember everyone's like, this is going to help me, this is going to benefit me because it's going to push me to do X, Y, Z. And I'm like, this is all that I've wanted, you know, all along, is to just be me. Elevate the industry and help and be a support. So, now And I just want to highlight too just how true you stalked, like, your boundaries, your desires, your needs, your vision. You could have so easily, when they said they're coming, been like, Oh, cha ching, that makes the budget a lot easier. Like, okay, let's just, like, do a version of what we were doing before. Or, like, You know, I mean, and I don't, I don't even think they asked you this, but like, my brain can't help a thing. Like, if you go from multiple owners, like, do they assume that they're coming into that ownership role? And you were so clear with your communication. You overly communicated from the get go. Like, this is my desire. This is my pull. It's not that I don't like what we have found ourselves into. I just see something different. And I just think you've done that so beautifully because I could have seen so easily how, like, maybe. This wasn't the case, but maybe one of the other owners would have, like, grabbed that vision as well and, like, tagged along with it. Like, I even remember when Soul Tribe was being born and it, it, I haven't gotten much of this anymore, but when it was in its, like, growing phases, like, there was people who, like, you know, can I invest in this and be, like, a co owner or, like, can I be part of this with you or whatever? And it's just like, no, like, this, I, I, nobody can see it like I do. And that's not any, like, hate or anything, but, like, you just have the confidence and the knowing that, like, this is a one person show because my vision is so clear that I don't need any other feedback or thoughts or opinions on it. Yeah, that's powerful. And I think when people are young and before they have that. I see a lot of young stylists specifically, not that there's anything wrong with this, but like want to open up a salon with their friend or with some because they don't have that confidence and that understanding and that vision and the fear, like you said, of telling your husband, like, what if I do lose all of this? It makes that a little bit more safe if two people lose it together and it's both of our faults, you know? So there's something really powerful and there's no way to. force feed that to someone. You just have to live life and learn it. But I think that that's really a big part of why this is so successful now is you just did the work and had that confidence and knew what you did want and what you didn't want. And I'm so happy that the girls were on board with that and you got to keep the best of both worlds. Same. Totally same. I mean, I couldn't have asked for anything better. And then, you know, we just, I made an Instagram and just started posting our mission, our vision. I had no space. I had no photos. I had nothing but my freaking dream to put out there. I remember you were just like putting out stock photos almost and graphics and that's it. Yeah. And then, like, the application slowly started coming, and I'm like, why can I have this over here, you know? I didn't have this line of people wanting to, you know, come and work with us. So explain what that's been like, because now you are November, December, January, February, March. You're four months in. You're already, like, never what you would have thought you would be four months in. So, like, share. Just from when the Instagram post started coming out to like where you are today. So it has just been a wild ride. So with the Instagram post, like putting out there what I want, like you said, the vision is so clear and I had a specific person ideal, you know, in my head of what I wanted it to be. And I almost like, you know, I went through, I followed all the salon, you know, the stylist in my area. I'm like, Okay. Who, who, if I could pick a perfect team, right. At this point, I had no idea any of my team was coming. I'm like, I need at least seven people to come with me, you know, to fill my chairs and just started going through having conversations, you know, really paying attention to what's around me and kind of like handpicking people. And it was just so cool. And having these, you know, interviews or talks or whatnot with everyone. And it was just really incredible. So kind of fast forward a little bit. We are a team of 10. We have seven chairs. I have three people on a waitlist. Meaning she's already at capacity four months in. I'm adding another station because they're, like, dream people that I want, you know? And they're, everyone's like, you need to expand. I'm like, you guys, I'm not even a year in. We just, like, the, the paint just dried. Yeah. But yeah, it's, it's been incredible and doing our like salon photo shoot, like looking around there are so many times Mike, I can just like ball right now. Like it is just incredible. Every lady on my team has something unique to offer and to bring to the table. And it's incredible. You know, it's incredible to be around. It's incredible that they believed in me to jump, you know, and make this leap with me. You know, I'm just figuring it out too. I don't know. Totally. Totally. But you have a clear vision and you have the best heart and the best intentions and that's like where success follows, is if you lead with that and coming from the right place, like that's where it follows. Okay, again, hindsight being 20 20, thinking of who's listening to this, do you have any regrets? Do you have, I'm assuming no, because look at where you've ended up, but like going back to originally opening that salon with four owners, like, are there any regrets? Nope, because the things that I've learned and the things that they have taught me and that we've learned from each other, I wouldn't, I wasn't in a place to do it. By myself then, you know, that was what the story had to be and they're incredible, you know, and I just, I feel like we grew so much, and it made me kind of be able to naturally step into that leadership role, even though I was no one's boss there, right, but it, you know, It's being able to kind of help and serve and when i'm, you know helping my co owners with their pricing and like hey What do you think about this? It's it's letting it happen naturally to the point where it made me have the confidence to be able to do it now, you know. It was being debt free intentional or were you open to taking out a loan if you needed to or like where was your mind at with that? So we were definitely open. My husband and I talked a lot about doing a home home equity line of credit and That was what the plan going forward was. You know, we have, we had the money in our account, but I was such a saver that I didn't want to touch it. I didn't want to do scary to take money out of savings. I agree. It's like, that's why you save it, but then you never want to touch it. Yeah, you never want to touch it, you know? So I remember like paying our contractor with like the cash that we had. I'm like, okay, here, okay. Oh, I only have to write partly a check and Just saving and saving and saving. And I mean, I took about 20 grand out of my own savings, not even my husband's just to pay. And so it ended up being, you know, what 50 that I took from, from our joint account and he's like, yeah, he's like, Babe, I, I, when I met you, this was a dream. I, there is no surprise. You let me do whatever I want to do. I would be selfish to not believe in you and like, let you take it. It's ours. It's, you know, like, we've worked for it and it's going to pay off and it's already, who knew how quickly it would be like, okay, no, I made the right decision. This is safe. We're not going to lose everything. Yeah, totally. But it was scary. And you know, Being able to do it without the, like, burden of the loan or the extra, like, you know, like, credit has always been a very big thing. I've always, like, prided myself on having good credit. You know, I own my own home at 18 years old, you know, and just those decisions made it possible to have this nesting, you know, so. I, yeah, I don't regret any of it, you know. And I know you kind of already threw out some numbers, the 20 and the 50. And I, a lot of people won't even go there. And you're in California, so it's going to be different everywhere. But I know there are also people who like one day want to own a salon and they have no idea what something like that even runs. And so you said your entire build out was what, 70? So we were about 70 without the without like the deposit in first month's rent, we were about 70. 70 for build out? Yeah. And keep in mind this was already a salon before I moved in, you know, so we were about 45 on construction alone and then the rest was supplies and But it's also stunning. You could have done it for less and had it not have been the look you wanted, but you were pretty set on that. And that's what's so cool. And again, why I feel so just like lucky that this is my job, is I've seen people in Soul Tribe open salons for 8, 000. I've seen Soul Tribe, people in Soul Tribe open salons for 250, 000. Like the range is so big. But if you guys want to follow Jen, I'll put her Instagram below just to get an idea. Cause a lot of people won't talk real numbers and it is kind of irrelevant based on where you're located and stuff like that, but sometimes it's just nice to know. Yeah. So, I'm so grateful that you're like open and willing to share that. So, you lease your space now. You're at capacity. We're only four months in. We just got started. Like, I know I kind of hate when people ask me what's the future, but like, what do you think? What direction are you heading? What's your vision right now? What do you think this is all going to turn into? My main goal would be to own a commercial building. So. In my area, things are like three, 4 million. I just don't have, right. I mean, so not yet. Hopefully one day. So I mean, still, I'm always on, you know, the real estate side. So I'm looking, I'm seeing what comes up. There are a couple that I can't afford right now, but they're not in the best area. So I'm like, Just hoping and yes, I have a five year lease. So if any of my neighbors decide they want to go, I will gladly take over their space and expand but the ultimate goal would be to be able to buy a commercial building. To be there forever and not have to worry about it. And for just like wealth building, not putting, you know, having equity, having that eventually one day being a building you could sell and cash out of or pass along or whatever. Yeah. You're really impressive. I know you were nervous coming on here, but I hope as you're saying that out loud, I know it feels weird. And I remember, like, I was telling Jen that before too, like, I remember the first podcast I ever run on. It feels so weird to just, like, talk about yourself and your accomplishments, but also, like, Jen, how many stories have you heard before you that, like, showed you, shined the light that, like, oh, this is possible. I can do this. I can go there. So thank you for being brave enough for just, like, sharing your story. Well, thank you for having me on and, you know believing in me that. This would not have happened without Soul Tribe. Like, shameless plug, because I came in, right, my first conversation with you, and I'm like, it's the goal, and now we're not even two years in, and it's happened before the timeline. It's happened big time, yeah. It's happened big time, and I would not be where I am at without the incredible community of Soul Tribe, and my Soul Tribe specifically, I mean, and the amazing Owners that are in this group, like, it's incredible to be surrounded by so many amazing people. And I tell the girls all the time, like, I, I, it, this would not have happened. Like, it would not have, I wouldn't have had the courage to do it. Yeah. You know? And just the speed at which you've moved too, and that's what I'm saying, like, when we get on monthly calls and you have accountability of like, this is exactly what I'm gonna be working on from this month to this month, it feels like, okay, it's been less than two years. You, I just, I always think back, it's, time is just such a trip. I always think back, what if I. Could just like snag a screenshot from your Instagram and go back to our onboarding call and be like, this is where you're going to be in two years. Like I wish that I had the ability to do that. Obviously I don't, but like, it's just so wild. But then at the same time, it's like two years goes by so fast, but also like. You get so much done in between each month that like when you just put your nose down and you show up and you do the needle mover, I'm going to move it forward a little bit, a little bit, a little bit, you look back and you're like, holy crap, I have a whole different like career and trajectory and where did all this come from? And I think you are just like the ultimate testament to that. Yeah. Yeah, I'm really proud of you. And I, when I asked Jen to come on, we, Soul Tribe 20 there's like a joke in Soul Tribe where everybody, like, says they're the favorite tribe and they're a great tribe. Of course, I can't publicly say if I have a favorite. They're all like my babies. Like, I own favorite kids, but Soul Tribe 20, they just got together. They actually all came to Jen and stayed at her house, which, God, I wish I could have been there. But they are such a close tribe, and they were talking, and they were like, Can all of Soul Tribe come on the podcast? Can we just like, talk about, what, and I've asked them before, like, what did you guys do to just get so tight, so close, so vulnerable, so accountable, you know, cause some people like, You have friendships that have been in your life forever, you have these business relationships, and they let you not be the best version of yourself, and that happens. And in Soul Tribe, the, the intention behind it is to, like, hold you accountable to that. But once you're with each other for years, and you've heard people's excuses enough times, sometimes that even slips, and even, even an accountability group and a mastermind can kind of coddle you to your, and you guys are so good at just being like, no, you are gonna do the next right thing and the best thing and you are capable of so much. So, in a few months, probably, from when this comes out or a couple months, a few weeks I will have all of Soul Tribe 20. So, Jen will be back along with the rest of Soul Tribe 20. And I don't know how we're going to do that. I've never done a six person podcast episode, but we're going to wing it. We're going to try. We're going to do great. You guys will see Jen again for that. I'm going to plug your Instagram. Is there anything else, one that you want to share? Or anything else that should be included in the show notes or anything I might be forgetting? I, I mean, I am an open book. Anyone can feel free to reach out if they have any questions or like, just want to chit chat. Like, I am here to just do it. Things, it's fucking scary. Like, doing something different and going out and against anything you know. But with the great group of people behind you that truly just want the best for you, they don't have any ties to your personal, you know, life. And I think that with SST 20, like we dug deep real quick, so we got to know each other before really a lot of our businesses, you know, and it made us really push and we know when to back off. We know when we need to push. And I think I was pushed in all the right ways and have the support and, you know, the, the cheering and to just go for it. So if there's something you want to do, go for it, because you just truly don't know what's on the other side. I mean, it's just so true. It's so cliche, but it's so true. I am just so glad that everything worked out the way that it did. I don't know. You just gotta keep on keepin on. Hell yeah. Well, thank you so much, Jen, for coming on. We will see you again all of Soul Tribe Conversations. We'll see you again in a few weeks with SST20. I'll put all of Jen's information down below. Like she said, she's an open book. And thank you guys for listening. I will talk with you next week. Bye. Thank you.