MAY 2021
FIVE SIMPLE WAYS
TO STAND OUT HOW TO BUILD A PERSONAL BRAND FAST
3 WAYS
TO WRITE COMPELLING MARKETING MESSAGING
MEAGAN GALLMAN
BREAKING BOUNDARIES IN THE HAIR INDUSTRY
WWW.WOMANENTREPRENEUR.CO
TABLE OF CONTENTS Woman Entrepreneur Magazine May 2021 Issue
04
16
Cover Story Meagan Gallman
How to stand out from your competitors
12
19
How to build a personal brand fast
How to write compelling marketing messaging
editor's notes Who would have thought that 2021 would have come so quickly and we are already finding ourselves in May 2021. Where has the time gone? As we get ready to enter Q2 of 2021 I just want to take a moment to think of those business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs,mompreneurs that are still struggling through the havoc of Covid-19. As things get back to “normal” in New Zealand I can’t stop thinking of countries that are still in lockdown because of Covid-19. For those readers that are reading my note today, please take the time right now, to stop, take a breath and share a thought or prayer for those still affected by this pandemic. A big thank you to the entire team for making this issue come true. We couldn’t have done this without you. I hope you enjoy reading this magazine as much as we enjoyed putting everything together for you. This quality of magazine with its content will not be possible without our amazing team, thank you to each and every team member for making this issue possible Xx Erna Basson
COVER STORY
MEAGAN GALLMAN Breaking Boundaries in the hair industry
PAGE 4 MAY 2021
Meagan Gallman NOT JUST A HAIRDRESSER Most children have dreams of being many different things; usually with at least 4 back up plans. Maybe it was a teacher, actor, astronaut, veterinarian, or a doctor. That was never my vision for my own life. My life was always going to be hair. I literally asked for a set of hot rollers for Christmas at age 8 and they still work to this day. I also taught myself to braid by age 5 on a doll. I was on the dance team in high school and every Friday I would stay after school and braid most all the girl’s hair before the game. Our drum major had long curly hair and occasionally I would even cornrow his before a game as well. There were times that I would be scolded
But I was born into this world to prove a point and I wanted to do everything in my power to show that even a girl from a small town could be highly successful in the hair world. I always knew that hair would be part of my life. I just had no idea that I would ever consider being an Educator in the industry. Mainly, because it involved public speaking, which was a huge fear of mine. I easily got over it after realizing how passionate I would be about educating other stylists. Specifically, new hairstylists. I learned how much setting them up for success means to me. It is so important for me to continue my education so that I can properly educate others. I always want to be on top of my game in the industry. You have to be. Being
for braiding or styling hair in class. I can vividly
comfortable or content is not an option. I learned
remember being told, “This is not beauty school
quickly that getting “comfortable” in this career is a
Meagan.” Needless to say, no one was surprised when I
dangerous place to be. So, I made it a mission to never
was accepted into the Cosmetology Program. But even
be content, never get comfortable, and never become
though no one was shocked, many weren’t necessarily
“just a hairdresser.”
supportive either.
PAGE 5 MAY 2021
In Conversation HOW DO YOU BUILD A WINNING TEAM?
HOW DO YOU DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF?
Be very dedicated to your vision of salon culture. As the
I am very passionate about educating the future
owner, you set the initial vibe of your space. It is your
generations of hairstylists. Because technically
responsibility to keep it in check.
cosmetology schools are only required to teach the basics, I pour so much of my time into setting new
Be very selective of your staff. Hire slow. Creating a
stylists up for success and how to recognize their own
strong team slowly is much more efficient than hiring in
value from the beginning of their career.
a hurry. To me, hiring fast is setting the tone for drama and disaster. • Team Building is especially important.
Even while students are still in school, I welcome them into my salon for shadow days as often as they would
Essentially, you will be with your salon staff as much, if
like. It is on a look and learn basis, but they are still
not more than your own family. Think of it as being the
taking in extra education and getting a feel for what to
head of your house. You must keep the core strong for
expect in a salon following their licensure.
your house to thrive.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS?
WHICH ACHIEVEMENT ARE YOU THE MOST PROUD OF?
Oh, my. Where do I even start? I have been a licensed
I find it hard to really list my greatest career blessing
cosmetologist for over 14 years and a Color Specialist for
in level at the top. If I really had to name one, I would
at least half of that. I have been extremely blessed in so
say opening The Magnolia Parlor is my greatest and for
many ways and I am so very thankful.
so many reasons. We literally had all obstacles stacked against us, and I do mean all obstacles.
I am an Educator/Artist for two phenomenal global companies (Joico and Olivia Garden.) I am on the
First, I purchased my salon building. We completely
Education Team for Beauty Launchpad magazine. My
gutted it to the bones and basically began from
work has been published both nationally and
scratch. I purchased that specific building because it
internationally.
had previously been a salon. So, in my mind, I felt that with the plumbing and electric already installed, I
I have built amazing relationships with companies
would be ahead in the renovation. Wrong, none of it
within my industry. I have worked alongside and
was up to code and had to be torn out to the bare
assisted some of the most prestigious names in the hair
bones of the building anyway.
industry and each time is a new learning experience. I can recall seeing some of my favorite well-known artists
That took several months, and it caused a lot of
in our industry at hair shows or on stage.
aggravation for Jeb, considering he did 90% of the construction solo. Lots of prayers, blood, sweat, tears,
I was so nervous; I was unable to speak or form my
wine, and profanity went into the creation of that
words correctly. And now, I am lucky enough to call
salon. We were ready to open and COVID-19 decided to
many of them friends. I opened my salon in the middle
force her presence upon us, and she was certainly not
of the COVID-19 pandemic have managed to thrive in
welcome. Fast forward past the months of stay-at
such an uncertain time. I am thankful for each win, big
home order.
or small. We opened in June of 2020 and by our 4th month of being open, we received the news that The Magnolia Parlor had been voted Best Hair Salon in the State of Mississippi for “Best of Mississippi Weddings 2021.” That was a very emotional moment for me. PAGE 4 MAY 2021 PAGE 6 MAY 2021
OVERCOMING FAILURE
I am not one that believes in the term “failure.” I prefer to refer to “failures” as “lessons” or “discoveries.” I can say that without experiencing lessons or discoveries, there will never be growth. So, no matter how you choose to name the term, we must endure these experiences to grow as a person, let alone a business owner. I believe my biggest lesson to date is wasting time in my career. There are so many things that I should have done to advance myself in the industry, but I didn’t because it was out of my comfort zone.
I felt like if I couldn’t 100% dominate the situation, then it was a waste of my time and energy. That is the worst thing I could have thought. It was completely opposite from what I should have been thinking. Put yourself out of your comfort zone. If you don’t dominate it, so what? You grow from that lesson and then discover a new approach and then dominate the situation. I was scared and too prideful to admit my fear. If we are really going to use the term “failure” here, then mine has been fear of failure.
PAGE 7 MAY 2021
WHAT INSPIRES YOU Honestly, my children inspire me to get up every single day and work the way that I do. Unfortunately, in my area, many people do not take hairstylists seriously. Hairstylists must fight extremely hard to prove our value. That is incredibly frustrating on so many levels. My brain works a bit differently. I see it as a challenge. I have made it a mission to prove that I am not “just a small-town hairdresser.” I have always said that I wanted to “make a big girl career out of a job that no one takes seriously.” I want my children to grow up knowing that they can do anything they want; they just have to put in the work to make it happen. I want hairstylists to know that every opportunity to reach their dreams is literally at their fingertips. The question is how bad do they want it? My stylists in my salon motivate me as well. Several of them are newer stylists. They say on occasion, “I want to be on your level.” I never want that to happen. I want them to surpass me. I want them to be better than me. If they ever feel like they have reached a point where they have “made it” or become content with what they have learned from me, I have failed them as a mentor. They keep me motivated to give them all the knowledge and opportunities that I can. They deserve that and so much more. PAGE 8 MAY 2021
In Conversation Continues ... HOW DO YOU JUGGLE THE MANY HATS YOU WEAR?
HOW HAS COVID IMPACTED YOUR BUSINESS?
Honestly, that one has been a huge learning curve for
I was set to open my salon right before the pandemic
me. I must admit that I have a difficult time letting go of
hit. So obviously I was feeling all the emotions
control and accepting help from others. I suppose I have
possible. I put my time in quarantine to productive
taken the cliché phrase, “If you want something done
use. I was able to take the time and set the major
right, do it yourself” a little too seriously. But I have
details for my salon and stylists. I really dove into salon
learned to delegate a bit and I also had to create a
business education as well.
system that works for me. For instance, I have a “folder” that holds each of my educator curriculums, divided by
I used this to create ways to really welcome my guests
company of course.
back into the salon feeling safe and welcome. I wanted The Magnolia Parlor to exceed all expectations and I
I have a “folder” that holds all info for my salon,
can proudly say we did.
education, new color, and product inventory, as well as future plans for The Magnolia Parlor and my team. I am a major advocate of the “level up” life. I tell my stylists regularly that we are always in level up mode and it is important to continue to bring up the “Wow Factor” for
IF YOU COULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN, WHAT WILL YOU CHANGE AND WHY?
our guests.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO BEAUTY PROFESSIONALS ENTERING THE INDUSTRY?
I would have sought out a prestigious stylist to assist. I
Shadow. Assist. Start setting yourself up for success
in the very beginning.
would have found mentors, yes mentors as in plural. You can never have too many people to learn from. I would have invested more into continuing education
while still in school. Ask all the questions. Don’t just invest in extra classes for hair, invest in salon business
I am from a small town and back when I was beginning
classes as well.
my career, the name of the game was still handing out business cards, paper ads, and word of mouth to build
Learn to know your numbers. Learn to calculate your
a clientele. Social Media didn’t exist in the way it does
profit and loss. Know your value from the beginning.
today. There was no such thing as a salon assistant in
When searching for a salon, search for compatibility.
the small town that I lived in.
When interviewing for a salon, they will want to know what you can bring to the table to benefit them. Find
Continuing education classes were hard to come by
out how they can benefit you. Will they support you?
because they were in the cities or larger towns and
Will they elevate you and push you to your greatest
they weren’t largely advertised. I thought to really
potential? Will they provide education? Are there going
make a name in our industry, you had to live in a big
to be qualified mentors in the salon? Or you be on your
city. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that the
own navigating the treacherous, uncharted waters of
opportunities to skyrocket your career in the beauty
such a competitive industry. Ask the questions.
industry were endless.
Condition yourself to forever be a student and you will
You just had to put in the work to find it. Because I
never be “just a hairdresser.” You deserve every
didn’t know how to elevate myself in the industry from
opportunity to be set up for success and you will be
the beginning, it put me about four years behind in my
amazing.
career.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2021 More digital education for sure. The digital age is here, and it is only going to get bigger. I love the personal interaction as much as anyone but until we can fully navigate through the pandemic, I will be very digital for 2021.
PAGE 4 MAY 2021 PAGE 9 MAY 2021
"You can’t live your life dwelling on the past based on the cards you were dealt before. Suck it up, create your own luck, and then proudly present your Royal Flush. ." MEAGAN GALLMAN
PAGE 10 MAY 2021
HOW TO BUILD A PERSONAL BRAND FAST
PAGE 12 MAY 2021
PAGE 3 MAY 2021
Personal Branding HOW TO BUILD A PERSONAL BRAND FAST When you are an entrepreneur you don’t just have your
I always say you need to take care of your personal
business brand to look after too, but you have your
brand as that is all you have, it will take you years to
personal brand too. A lot of people would ask, what is a
build a personal brand and get the credibility you
brand, what do we mean by that? Well, your brand is
want, but that personal brand can be destroyed in
what people say when you are not in the room. Intense
seconds.
right? So what do you want people to say about you when you are not there?
5 tips on how to build a personal brand:
Now a lot of people would also say that a personal brand
Be authentic - Just be yourself.
is not important when running a company. Think for a
Decide which attributes you would like to
moment, you as a business owner would go out drinking
showcase - how do you want people to perceive
every weekend and get completely drunk (let’s just say
you.
it as it is) and you would post that all over social media, now me as a customer before I would engage with someone in business I would always look them up on social media. Now imagine me arriving on your social media page and I am seeing all of these inappropriate photos of you, do you think I would do business with you? The answer is hell no Your personal brand, what people say about you when
Your values need to be aligned with your vision you have for your personal brand. Get active on social media - social media is the biggest marketing platform in the world. Find your niche - decide what is your message and who is your audience. Remember - how you speak, how you look and how you act is what resembles your personal brand
you are not in the room will have a direct impact on how well your business brand performs.
PAGE 13 MAY 2021
PAGE 14 MAY 2021
How To
STAND OUT IN 5 SIMPLE WAYS
PAGE 16 MAY 2021
PAGE 17 MAY 2021
3 Ways TO WRITE
MARKETING MESSAGING PAGE 19 MAY 2021
Marketing Messaging HOW TO CAPTURE YOUR AUDIENCE We all know that digital advertising is the future of advertising, whether it is an add on Facebook or
2. Use the emotional drivers.
Instagram, you only have a few seconds to make the prospect a new client.
Remember we spoke previously about the need for your message to make people feel a certain way? The
When it comes to marketing, it is all about the message,
following list shows a few examples of feelings you
what are you saying to your potential client and how are
want to trigger. Aim to trigger one or two of them, and
you making them feel?
if your message does not engage any of these feelings then start over again:
Here are 3 tips to write a winning marketing campaign message:
Fear Something better is on its way
1. Apply the “So what?” test.
Guilt Exclusivity
When you have finished writing your message, step away
Anger
from it, put yourself in your customers shoes and ask
Flattery
“Yeah, so what?”. Then go through your copy again and if
Confidence
you think that your customer will still respond with a “so what”, keep on writing until you get the a-haa moment – “Yes, that is exactly what I am looking for, where and when can I get this?”
3. Start with your strongest point. When people are reading your message in your advertisement, they are literally just glancing at it, You only have a few seconds to make a lasting impression. Put your strongest point first so people read it first.
PAGE 20 MAY 2021