We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Darby Hardy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Darby below.
Darby, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I consider myself to be a very optimistic, joyful person. I owe that all to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Life can be hard, exhausting, stressful and about 100 other things. But when you have a relationship with God you are able to give all of those things to Him and He takes all of the stress and worry away. I do not worry about the future because I know that God has paved the way for me. His plan is so much greater than mine and that’s how I stay optimistic.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I went to cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell right after high school. I trained and got my start at a well known salon for 5 years before they closed their doors in 2020 and have now worked for myself for the last 3 years. Owning your own business can be challenging but it is the best decision I made! Without being forced to leave that salon and work for myself I would never have the dream that I have now to open my own salon one day! Over the years I have spent my career, perfecting my craft and building relationships with my clients by first gaining their trust when I do their hair. I enjoy meeting all of the people who come and sit in my chair who I never would have met otherwise! I always make sure to do thorough consultations no matter if it’s their first time in my chair or I have done their hair for years. I specialize in lived in blonding and balayage as well as long and mid length layered haircuts. I love what I do and making people feel their most beautiful.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say the three most important or impactful things I’ve learned in my almost 10 years of doing hair is 1. be willing to work the long hours- when you first start out and want to gain a clientele sometimes you have to work the hours no one else will want to. I’m not saying to overwork yourself but give yourself the opportunity to gain a new client by working the long hours, 2. you need to learn to communicate well- you have to be able to have a thorough consultation and communicate with your clients what they are wanting done and be able to give them realistic expectations for their appointment, this also helps to make sure you are both on the same page before you start doing their hair, 3. be confident- if you are confident in yourself, your policies, your skills, your business, etc. your clients will feel that energy and you will see them put their trust in you!!
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was support me. I went to a university after high school, and before I moved in decided I didn’t want to go and didn’t have a reason to go to the school because I didn’t know what I wanted to major in. I called them after one day of classes and said I wanted to enroll in cosmetology school. They were obviously hesitant at first but ultimately agreed to come get me from the university. I enrolled in cosmetology school and started less than a month later. My parents have done nothing but support and uplift me since I started my hair dressing journey. They are constantly telling me how proud they are of me and how successful I am. I am so thankful and blessed by God for my amazing parents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://darby-does-hair.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darbyhardy_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darbydoeshair?mibextid=PzaGJu
