Today we’d like to introduce you to LC Conley.
Hi LC, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I moved to Nashville from Eugene, Oregon back in early 2018 and have been a licensed hairstylist since 2009. Hair wasn’t necessarily what I planned on doing when I was younger, but I knew I wanted to be in a field where I could use my creativity and artistic ability. I started in cosmetology school when I was just 20 years old and quickly found out that it was something I loved. As my years behind the chair went on, I discovered that I not only loved the creativity of this career but also, I loved the ever-changing world of hair, the opportunity to always be learning something new, and the connections that grow between me and the people who sit in my hair. It will always be an honor to be trusted with someone’s hair and to be let into a little part of their lives.
I always worked within a traditional salon setting and I really enjoyed that sense of community and family that builds there. But after 11 years behind the chair, in the middle of a pandemic, I decided it was time to go out on my own and move into a small studio with one of my best friends (who is also an amazing hairstylist) Lauren Miller. We own Studio L together and as scary as that leap was to make, it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love being my own boss and having gotten to create a beautiful, peaceful space to work in everyday and that our clients really enjoy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I feel extremely fortunate to have started my career very early in my adult life. I was just 20 years old when I graduated from cosmetology school and to have found something I really loved doing at such a young age has really allowed me to grow and excel in this career. I’ve been lucky to have worked in really wonderful salon settings as well. I worked in two salons long-term in Oregon and Nashville before setting out on my own, and those experiences really helped shape who I am as a hairstylist and business owner.
The transition from working in a larger salon to owning a small studio has had some challenges of course, but all in all has been pretty smooth. I am so appreciative of my amazing clients who have followed me through the move and who continue to support my business. It’s pretty amazing to get to do what you love every day and in a space that you created.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I don’t normally like to say that I “specialize” in any one thing because when it comes to hair, I truly love doing it all and feel that I am a “well-rounded” stylist. However, if I had to pick, I’d say I specialize in blonding/lightening services, balayage, and haircutting. I particularly love cutting short hair (pixies, bobs, transformation cuts) because I feel I get to really be artistic and creative with envisioning the process start to finish. I love hand painting balayage and doing lightening services, and I am probably most known for my blondes.
I have been fortunate enough to be constantly investing in my education and honing in on my craft. I think that in an industry like hair, there is always movement, and styles and techniques are always changing. I believe that it is extremely important to always be learning and improving my skills and knowledge.
I am most proud of having started my own business here in Nashville after just 3 years of living in this city. Being able to build an established clientele to a point where I was able to go out on my own took a lot of hard work and long hours. I’m so grateful and proud of where I am in my career.
More than anything, I find my relationships with my clients to be the most important. It is always my priority to establish a trusting and honest relationship and to make sure they are always feeling taken care of. I feel so happy that I get to make my (already beautiful) clients feel like their most beautiful selves!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
During the past two years, I’ve definitely learned to set better boundaries with my time and to focus on my physical and mental health. It’s very easy for me to find myself wrapped up in work, working longer hours, and feeling the need to accommodate everyone because I really do find a lot of pleasure in doing hair and really enjoy my work. But I am often reminded that it is easy to burn out emotionally and physically when part of your job is taking care of others. It’s a constant battle to remind myself that I have to take care of me as well. I think that is one positive that has come from the past two years, especially in our industry, there is a lot more conversations happening about self-care and setting boundaries to make sure that we are not over-working ourselves.
Pricing:
- Hair cut: $85
- Partial Highlighting/Balayage: $215+
- Full Highlighting/Balayage: $245+
- Transformational Color/Blonding: $115/hour
- All Over Color: $145+
Contact Info:
- Email: contact.studiolsalon@gmail.com
- Instagram: @L.C_hair
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/studio-l-melrose
- Other: https://www.vagaro.com/lcstudiol
Image Credits:
LC Conley
