We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kelsey Applegate. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kelsey, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
In life and especially when it comes to hiring, integrity is the top trait I look for in people. Intelligence is great, and important, but you can teach people your systems and standards. Energy is amazing, but you can schedule and work with each persons individual energy levels. Having an innate moral compass and walking with integrity goes a long way with me. Being honest and choosing to do the right thing when no one is looking is on the top of my list when it comes to people I surround myself with.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kelsey Tikker Applegate, I own Hive Natural Beauty Collective, a boutique Eco-Friendly salon in San Luis Obispo. Eco-Consciousness is the backbone of all of our operations. When you come to visit Hive, you can expect to feel like you’re hangin’ at your best friend’s house. We love to create a warm, welcoming and comfortable guest experience. We are full service hair salon, offering 100% ammonia-free blonding services, gray coverage color, dimensional color and full hair transformations. We also offer hair and scalp treatments, as well as uniquely tailored haircuts to fit your lifestyle. We proudly recycle 95% of the waste we create with Green Circle Salons. If green is your jam, we’ve got you covered!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful may have been doing comedic shows for my family. I would do impressions of Elvis and Jim Carrey, and my family would eat it up. I think looking back, I realized then that I could use humor, silliness, and personality to make people feel good. In the salon industry, your personality and client relations are a huge part of our job. People have often asked me what my favorite part of doing hair was, cutting or coloring, and my answer has always been connecting with my guests.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell myself to try and relax and enjoy the time in front of you. There is plenty of time to grow up, to worry, to work hard and solve problems. You can’t stop time and it just keeps on going so might as well just let things unfold as they may. A friend used to always say, “all problems get solved.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I try my best to keep my “public” version of myself subdued. I like to think that my team is more important than just myself, and therefore I never want any aspect of the business to be “The Kelsey Show.” I was an amazing assistant to the hairstylists I trained under, and I love to say I’m best in the supporting role – I don’t need to be the lead role. In that regard, I try to boost my staff up rather than put my own personality on full display 24/7.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people feel I was kind. That I was a good person, a loyal friend, honest and fair. I hope they have many funny memories to reflect on to bring them joy and comfort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hivebeauty.com
- Instagram: hive_beauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiveNaturalBeautyCollective
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hive-natural-beauty-collective-san-luis-obispo-3?osq=hive+natural+beauty+colelctive
Image Credits
Alexandra Wallace | Super 8 + Photographer IG @thelittlealli
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