Meet Molly Meek | Beauty Pro + Mindset Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Molly Meek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Molly, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I have been in the beauty industry since 2009 and have seen it through the last decade plus of growth. I feel like so many people see beauty professionals and think it’s just a fun hobby, and that there isn’t much money to be made, or that all we do it hair/esthetics/etc and I’m here to bust those myths.

Foremost, the amount of money to be made is insane- however there is massive amounts of work that needs to be put in, in order to see those dollar signs and watch your bank account triple. The majority of those outside our industry don’t realize how much most stylists are making. I out earned my parents dual income household 6 years ago. I had been in the industry for 8 years, and pivoted it a lot, but all of my experience got me to that point in my career by focusing on my niche, investing in education, and hyper focused on my personal & professional brand online. Then there is the duality of it all where some new artist coming into the industry see the dollar signs and think it’s a quick get rich plan. When in reality it takes a solid 3-5 years to build a clientele and become establish to where you are making consistent 6 figures as an artists. However we wear so many more hats than artists.

We are social media managers, photographers, content creators and marketers, accountants, and managers whenever we are doing out actual craft behind the chair.

What should our readers know about your business?
I think what sets me apart from those walking a similar path to me in my industry is my ability to pivot, in real time, when making decisions. Decisions that are best for me, those I mentor, and the beauty industry as a whole. Over the last 14 years, I have seen drastic changes from the old school salon structors and business models. With anything, the old models are crumbling and as a salon owner, or coach in this industry you have to pivot with that changes, and be in flow instead of having a death grip on what used to be and staying in resistance. Most of my beliefs as a beauty pro are unpopular but I believe in micro salons, and either a new age/team based commission structure or a booth rental environment that brings a collective together instead of separating us all in little cubicles. I think that branding and marketing are must haves as an artist to sustain in today’s society and I am the biggest believer that for those of us that mentor new artists, we need to be the way makers, the chain breakers, and instill these young artists with confidence and skills to go off on their own in a few years. Paving the path way for growth from the start is a completely different ball game than artist like myself had to play when we got licensed. My generation of stylists are used to graduating, working as an assistant for a salon owner or chain that thinks they own us and our clientele. Then when we would try to leave a few years in, with our gains experience and skill sets thousands of us have had to break contracts, be taken to court, and left with no option but to walk away from everything we had to built in order to start over freely.

I think what got me to this point in my career, which by the way is this:
I have worked full time behind the chair for 14 years
Owned my own company for 13 of them
Opened 4 micro salons and 1 large co working concept salon
I have mentored over 30 artists and 80% of them have opened
their own micro or full service salons immediately after working for me
And am now transitioning into working very part time behind the chair, and focusing on coaching other salon/suite owners.

I got to this point by allowing change to be the only constant in my career.
The second you get comfortable, and choose to stay in the comfort zone you as essentially saying no to any an all other opportunities that could be trying to find you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Omg, for my Columbus girlies, let me put you on I have such mad love for this city, and Ohio as a whole.
I actually moved just north of Detroit this summer to Royal Oak to be with my boyfriend who is finishing up his last 3 years of general surgery residency. However, I make it back to Columbus for VIP clients and family every 6-8 weeks now and when I do these are my go to spots:

Coffee-
Park Service, in the short north. Ask for “the Molly” they will know what you mean !
Lox, for their out of this world breakfast sandwiches and their homemade vanilla coffee syrup
Staufs
Pistacia Vera – get the quiche and thank me later

Bars-
Parlay
Galla
Sacred Palm speak easy
Bristol Country Bar
Good night Johnny Boy Disco Ball

Rooftops-
Lincoln Social
Gooddale Station
Mandrake
Lumin
Stories on High

Restaurants-
Marcellas
Fireproof
Galla
Hyde Park
Hoof Harted

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t imagine getting to where I am in my career without investing in mindset and coaching programs of my own, that have helped me with my perspective and limiting beliefs as well as my physical skills. I think it is so important to continue learning, professionally and personally in order to sustain not only success but a life/work balance.

Website: https://www.mollymeek.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themollymeek/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollsmk

Youtube: UC0y_8l9dmhW2W3-gCLkjcjw

Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themollymeek?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Media Website: https://www.hermindmatters.com

Image Credits
Lo of Lo Exposure Photography