We’re looking forward to introducing you to Courtney Graham & Yana Newman. Check out our conversation below.
Courtney & Yana, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My favorite thing about my career, is the ability to enjoy a work/life balance. Outside of work, I have been updating my house and traveling for the summer. The beach and the lake have been rejuvenating and relaxing and I am excited to go camping this fall with the family. As much as I love traveling, it’s been lovely coming home to a cozy and updated house, it feels very rewarding.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Indigo Hair Studio was founded in April of 2019 by Courtney Graham and Yana Newman. We started off as 2 independent stylists who left a large, well known salon with an idea to start a new business. The first 5 years we spent learning the ins and outs of becoming business owners. We opened a salon suite, hired an accountant along with a financial advisor and committed to becoming successful. Year 6 we renovated and moved into our very own retail space in Downtown Herndon Virginia, and it feels as though we are living our dream. We also have the room to booth rent within our new space. Hard work pays off, and with a wonderful view , we have been able to elevate our guests experience and do what we have always loved to do, hair. We specialize in trendy color techniques, cutting, Invisible Beaded Extensions and Brazilian blowout treatments.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Courtney and Yana became friends at the early stages of their careers and bonded over how they had to rely on just themselves at an early age. It made the hustle mentality seem normal. They inspire and encourage each other which has built a strong partnership in the long run. Not always seeing eye to eye, but compromising and learning how to compliment each others strengths has gotten them to where they are today.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
In 2019, just after beginning our brand new career, the world was introduced to Covid-19. As a hair salon, we were considered “non-essential” and we were forced to closed our doors. 64 days of not knowing if we would be able to survive the hit of a new business being unable to work. We had to be resilient and creative, and we survived thanks to the amazing support of our clients. We customized at home color kits, and delivered contact free, anything our clients were in need of. This helped us pay the bills that never stopped coming. This taught us at the end of the day, that our job is more than just a job. We build strong relationships with real people, who chose to show up for their hairstylist, even with so much uncertainty in the world.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Our industry is full of closed or negative mind sets. Being told you have to work certain hours of the day or certain days of the week, is the only way to be successful. The truth is, if you want to work mornings instead of nights, or weekdays instead of weekends, it is still possible to be successful. It’s all about transparency and communication and setting boundaries. Our clients are very aware and mostly respectful of our time, and we remain consistently booked and busy.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
In order to be successful you have to put in the work. There is no fast track or easy path to success. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither were our skills, our clientele, or our education. It’s all about continuous drive, and being consistent even when you don’t want to be. Take your career seriously, take creative criticism seriously and whatever you do, don’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://sites.google.com/view/indigohairstudioherndon/ home
- Instagram: @indigo_hair_studio
Image Credits
Photography: Shot By Angel Photo
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