Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristina Ekvall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kristina , so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
How did I overcome burnout?! It’s not an easy task but you need to come at burnout from a different angle!
I was working in a salon for 7 years with a bunch of highs and lows! I felt I was working sooo hard and not living the life I wanted to! I would work 5 days in the salon and 2 days traveling to clients homes just to get by. I felt like I wasn’t doing the work I wanted to and just doing work because I needed to! The creativity of my work was stripped away! I was taking any client because I needed to instead of working on hair projects that fed my soul!
In June of 2023 I decided to take a leap and work for myself! I walked into Sola salons and found 1 available suite for rent and decided to sign the lease on the space! I knew the only way to not feel burnt out was to work for myself with hours that work for me!
Since having taken that step, I can’t express how much happier I am! I am working the hours that work for myself, my family and my clients! My clients can tell I am a happier version of myself, less exhausted and overall more excited to do their hair! The work I have created in the last year has been some of my best work yet! I find myself eager to go to work (even on 12 hour days).
I can say, I still sometimes struggle with burnout. It is all self inflicted. I find myself picking up extra shifts and working later then planned. I have designed a schedule now that gives myself the time for family and days off! Hiring an assistant to help with small things around the salon is life changing! It gets me home a half hour earlier each day! Small things help with altering burnout patterns! The hardest thing is learning to say no! Your time is your time! Working on your days off only makes people expect that everytime! Learn to express that the wait is worth the reward! The more you respect yourself and your time the more others will as well!!
Burnout is difficult and navigating it does not have a one size fits all. Learning small things that help you and listening to what helps others can help you create your own path!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hi I am Krissi Ekvall! I am the owner of Elevation Beauty Studio! I am a single chair salon located in the Sola Salons of wyomissing! I have been in business for 1 year but I have been in the beauty industry for 11 years!
I specialize in creative color and extensions but love all things hair!! I am beyond passionate for making men and women feel like a more beautiful and confident versions of themselves! From vivids to blondes to men’s cuts, I have put time into higher education to keep you looking fresh!
I love working with my community and donating giftcards or prize baskets for raffles or silent auctions! Giving the gift of a hair appointment and meeting someone new who might not have known me before is such a great feeling!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back I feel as if being a child who has 8 siblings and is part of a blended family has certainly helped me in my career! Having younger and older siblings with different personalities and emotions has taught me patience and taught me to be open and understanding! I have learned not everyone deals with emotional situations in the same manner! Some people are more sensitive and need more nurturing and a softer person to work with! Some people are more blunt and straight to the point and want that back in return!
I also feel working in the food industry has helped form the person I am! The food industry is a very fast paced industry which has helped me with those clients who want to be in and out without all the fuss! The food industry has also taught me to treat each person how you want to be treated. The kinder and sweeter you genuinely are with people the more they return that to you. I learned that with consistency I will always have returning clients who refer their friends and family!
Another key ingredient in shaping who I am was becoming a stepmom! Sharing a love for someone who’s not biologically yours but feels like family is the kind of love I share with my clients! My stepson has shown me a softer side I never knew I had! Giving him a life he deserves has taught me to never give up and to keep pushing even when times are hard! He has taught me to smile through everything because your laugh and energy could be the medicine some else needed!
My advice to someone starting in the hair industry is to never give up! Even when it seems impossible, keep pushing! The beauty industry is so large! You may not have the largest instagram following or the biggest salon or even the largest client following but the ones who stick with you are more rewarding!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I feel as if I have a few people to thank for my success and the support given to me in my career! The beauty industry isnt a career you can do on your own until you are established!
I’d start with saying my dad was the biggest influence in the beginning of my career! My dad was the first one to suggest beauty school! He was the one who took me on school tours and convinced me I could do it! He taught me hard work would take me far!! He taught me anything worth having is hard work!
My mom played another key role in where I am today!! My mom convinced me to use my talents after taking 2 years off and got me an interview at the first salon I worked at! She has continued to push me harder every day! She has continuously shared my name with her friends, coworkers and complete strangers!! She’s my walking piece of art at all times!!
My old boss Rachel Engle is the main reason for my success!! She took a leap of faith on me!! After a brief interview over coffee and a bagel she hired me! Taking a risk, I did not have a following and didn’t have a license yet! She took me in as a receptionist where I learned the basic procedures of a salon. As I grew she convinced me to take the leap to take the test and get my license so I could be behind the chair!! 7 years working for Rachel, taking classes and learning hands on with her and Missy Kovatto truly shaped the stylist I am! I would not have the technical training and skills I have mastered without them!!
Last would be my husband, during Covid my husband watched me struggle with feeling like my career wasn’t important! He reminded me everyday that what I do may not be important to the government and sustaining our world during a pandemic but so many men and women needed me so the could feel better about themselves! After 4 long months of time off due to Covid it was time to go back to work and he was sooo supportive! Long days and late nights at the salon he understood why I did it! When I decided to open my studio he was the first one to remind me that this is for a better future and that it would be successful! He has told me everyday how proud he is to have me as his wife and continues to push to do anything I set my mind to!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elevationbeautystudio12.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: @kekvall95
Image Credits
@fullframestudio
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