Daily Inspiration: Meet Brittany Walters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Walters. 

Hi Brittany, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My fascination with the hair industry began when I was 5 years old. I was the kid who begged to go with my mom to her hair appointments. Instead of just sitting in the waiting room with a coloring book, I wanted to be in the action. I would ask her hairstylist a million questions. “How do you make her hair curly?” “Why do you hold her hair up at different heights to cut it?” “Why do you put foil in her hair?” Fortunately, every hairstylist my mom went to when I was young was happy to educate me. Some would even allow me to go in the back with them and watch them mix up hair color. I loved everything about a hair salon. The hairstyle books (hello ‘90s!), the sound of blow dryers, constant conversations, and the smell of hairspray and hair color was something I couldn’t get enough of! As I got older, I still had an interest in this industry but never thought I actually had the ability. After a brief time in college where I felt like I would never figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I took time to really listen to this desire that had always been in my gut. I was going to be a hairstylist. I set up a tour at the Aveda Institute of Indianapolis. During the tour, they explained I would learn more than just how to cut hair in their 10-month program. I would learn the basics of running my own business. Something that was also a major interest of mine. I felt like I had finally found my calling in life. It was an overwhelming feeling that I had never experienced before. It was so overwhelming that it actually triggered a panic attack that landed me in the emergency room! To some, that would have been a major red flag to not move forward with this plan. But to me, that was what I needed to know this was exactly where I was supposed to be. I worked for a salon in Indiana for 4 years before feeling a need to push myself again. I felt like I was too young to feel so “settled.” I grew up visiting Nashville with my family so I decided that was where I should move. I worked for a salon in Nashville for almost 2 years before fulfilling my ultimate dream of owning my own business. I felt confident in taking that risk all because of my faith. I attended a service at Crosspoint Church that explained that we all were created with a purpose to fulfill in this life. Whatever our true passion is in our heart, is what God has made us to do. I felt like the pastor was speaking directly to me that day. I knew that God had been the one pushing me this whole time. He was leading me to this moment and He would not let me fail. I quit my job within that week and got to work on figuring out how to run my own small business. It was intimidating and overwhelming at times but I had never felt more at peace. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Once I made the decision to start my business, I never felt like there were any obstacles standing in my way. Just major learning moments and opportunities. I had to learn about all of the other hair product and hair color brands in my industry. Figuring out what brands I liked and what worked best for my clients created credit card debt for my business right off the bat. I had to figure out how to market my business and learn about different appointment booking systems and payment processing systems. I had to supplement my lack of income with 2 other jobs for the first 3 years. I walked dogs for Rover.com and worked as a bartender at Bartaco. Many of my days would start with a couple of clients, leave the salon during lunchtime to walk dogs all around West Nashville, back to the salon if I was lucky to have more clients that day, then to Bartaco for a closing shift. I’m exhausted now thinking back on that time. But it all felt worth it! I was doing what needed to be done to be a successful salon owner. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Blondes, hair extensions, and wedding hair all make me incredibly happy. I love creating blonde hair because it is instant gratification for my clients. I also love how tedious it is. I can completely change the overall look just with a slight shift in my formulas and application of color. Hair extensions is a skill I picked up in the last 2 years. I realized I have so many clients who don’t love their hair density and that adding a weft or 2 of sewn-in extensions makes a huge difference! Wedding hair is a skill that you really just have to have a natural ability for in this industry. To me, it is so fun to mold a head of hair into different shapes and structures. Working with a bride and her bridal party on her wedding day might be the greatest honor I could receive. Knowing my hair creations will be in her wedding photos for the rest of her life is such an amazing feeling! 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I choose to believe that good luck is actually my faith guiding me. All of the good things that have come to me in my life and career have been because of my faith. Whenever I have felt a change coming to my life, and I don’t experience any major roadblocks, I know this is a change God has sent me and I accept it. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Bnicolesalon.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/bnicolesalon
• Facebook: Facebook.com/bnicolesalon

Image Credits
Lindsey McAlister