Meet Annique Pierre-Louis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annique Pierre-Louis. 

Hi Annique, 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 started in the beauty world in 2018 when I left corporate America and moved to Indiana for my husband’s job. In Indiana, I was an assistant while I was in school to set myself ahead upon graduation. Once I became a stylist I soon fell in love with extensions and basically all things hair! I would practice like a madwoman- always on a mannequin if I didn’t have a guest in my chair. 

Fast forward to March 2020, I moved to Nashville, TN, again for my husband’s job. This would be the second time I’d have to rebuild myself so I figured I’d do it a little differently. When I got here, it was March 16 and we hadn’t yet shut down for the pandemic. I decided I was going to open a salon suite! I remember saying, “this is kinda scary & if anything is going to fail, it’s going to be this”. 

Nothing comes from comfort zones, right? I established Studio 826 LLC March 20th and by the 23rd, we were in quarantine. I took this time to get all my ducks in a row. I made business cards, logos, client forms, took online marketing classes, bought inventory, and secured a location. I was ready; little did I know, I wouldn’t be doing any hair until May! 

The location I secured, like many others, decided to use quarantine as a time to remodel. So that location I thought I had quickly got pushed back. Fortunately, I made a stylist friend and was able to use her space on the days she wasn’t working. I started building a clientele mostly via Instagram and Facebook, but also Google and Yelp & business was starting to pick up. I was terrified every day that I would fail. 

August 2020, I became a national extension educator and was traveling to different states to teach hair extensions 1-3 weekends a month! Advertising for the extension classes I was teaching honestly helped me grow my clientele and niche down to the extension specialist I am today. 

By November 2020 I was able to move into my current suite space! This was such an amazing moment for me to have my own salon! I didn’t & still don’t care what anyone says, a salon suite is a salon and, in this moment, I felt like a salon owner. 

September 2021, I decided to focus solely on my salon and growing it to a larger salon with employees. To do this I had to stop educating so Studio 826 can have my full attention. I am still working on growing and hiring and I am so excited for what the future has in store. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think anything worth having comes smoothly. I have definitely had my fair share of hiccups here and there as I probably will continue to have as I grow. Each of those hiccups has made me a better entrepreneur, hairstylist, and salon owner. I do think like any entrepreneur there is that imposter syndrome that creeps in and you have to remember what a boss you really are and that you deserve all the success you have. Just keep pushing, but there’s always a bump in the road. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a hairstylist and salon suite owner. I am responsible for all things hair, finances, marketing, inventory, receptionist, cleaning crew, social media content creation & more! 

Behind the chair and not my laptop I specialize in extensions. I can say that is from being an extension educator for over a year that extensions bring me joy, and they bring the client in my chair the most joy as well. An immediate transformation. 

Aside from extensions, I love a good balayage because they are complex but simple and the maintenance doesn’t break the bank. But don’t get me wrong, I am all for a good root touch up too haha! 

I am most proud of how far I’ve come. Moving to a new state, knowing nobody, choosing to not work in a salon, and build my own from nothing is an accomplishment. Since March 2020 I have done over 100 heads hair and hair and created so many magical transformations! Impacting others’ lives in a positive way is something I wouldn’t ever trade. I am grateful. 

I think the biggest thing that sets me apart from others is my consideration for the guest in my chair and the ability to adapt and problem-solve to achieve hair goals for all hair textures. Opening my salon, I wanted to create a place where all textures can feel comfortable and I believe I have. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for finding a mentor is to find one outside of your industry. Seriously. I have learned so much and have been able to better my business from taking courses from business coaches that don’t do what I do. Their perspective is different and their tactics are different. You can’t do everything the same as the people in your industry do because you’re not them and what worked for them won’t always work for you. It’s important to branch out and learn new ways of doing things. Take those skills and make them work for your business. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.studio826salon.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/beautybyannique.xo
• Other: www.Instagram.com/studio826_

Image Credits
Diana Marie Photography
Photography by Alicia Rene
Bailey Rasmussen