03.02.2020 6 min read time

Booksy Spotlight: Hollibeauty

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Megan Hollinger owns Hollibeauty Salon Studio in Chicago where they specialize in balayage, extensions, and bridal just to name a few. Read how Megan started her business and uses Booksy to help run it today.

Tell us a little about your journey. How did you get started? When did you start your business? Why did you choose this business?

While I was studying to be a teacher in college, my roommates and I dabbled in DIY like most broke college students and we experimented with cutting and coloring each others hair...their hair always turned out way better than mine! (apparently I was a natural!). During my last year of college, a celebrity stylist/educator came to my small college town in Michigan and I ended up being a hair model for him. I was fascinated by the experience and thought, how cool would it be to travel and teach and create art, while inspiring others all over?! Flash forward a year and I was enrolled in Cosmetology school. In 2014, I made the move to Chicago after two years in Michigan and it has been full speed ahead since day one! After my time spent doing hair for some designers at New York Fashion Week, I decided to brand my work as Hollibeauty (so I could keep part of my last name forever!) and of course because of my true love for beauty inside and out. I opened my salon studio in August of 2015 in Chicago so I could have the flexibility to create in studio and also travel for work!

Was there someone who inspired you to start your business? Do you have a mentor you work with and do you think it’s beneficial to have one?

I was hugely inspired after working with Tabatha Coffey and Heather Chapman to venture off on my own to truly pursue my dreams. These women mentored me 1-on-1 and I am forever thankful for the relationships we built together :) I have had a few other significant mentors along the way as well that have helped in many ways! I believe it’s super important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who challenge and inspire you!

What is the best part about owning a business?

The best part is having the ability to share your business and help others grow however you want to and having the flexibility to change the path when needed :) I love being in the driver’s seat on an open road!

What is the hardest part about owning a business?

The hardest part I have found about owning a business is finding that work-life balance. It has taken me awhile to figure that out and it’s a daily thing I work on...when you work for yourself it’s just as easy to over-work yourself as it is to under-work yourself. Block scheduling has really helped me recently.

When did you start using Booksy? Why did you start using the app, what made you realize you needed something like Booksy?

I started using Booksy about a year ago because I was looking for a more supportive and inclusive online booking tool with a go-getter business mindset like myself! I love all the tools available to us business owners and how Booksy is always advancing to bring us the latest and greatest!

How do you incorporate Booksy in your business?

Booksy manages all of my online booking and integrates on all of the social platforms I use, which makes booking really easy for my clients and potential clients! I also love using the templates for sharing reviews and announcements!

Which features do you like most in Booksy? What appealed to you compared to other booking services in the industry?

My favorite features include the marketing templates and the membership/packages/e-gift card options! What appealed to me was the way Booksy integrates with various payment options and platforms.

What advice do you have for people just starting out in the industry?

My advice to you is utilize social media to share your work and get yourself out there! Start a beauty page while you are still in school so you can build that online portfolio, you never know who’s going to stumble upon your work! Work hard and assist as much as you can, if you want to own your own salon studio someday, find a salon studio owner who’s hiring an assistant and get that amazing 1-on-1 experience! Network and attend hair shows and classes as much as possible! Most importantly, invest in yourself and your education!

What are your goals for your business in 2020?

For 2020, some of my biggest goals include teaching more and growing my team! I have come a long way with managing work-life balance and am excited to grow to that next level this year! My salon studio will be 5 years old in August, so we’ve got a lot of exciting new things on the agenda!