We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Grace Schafer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Grace, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I think resilience stems from confidence. I practiced taekwondo when I was younger, and the the main thing I gained from that experience was confidence. Through gaining confidence in myself, I felt more capable to try again after I would fail, and wouldn’t feel as discouraged if things didn’t got the way I intended. I always try to remember that the world doesn’t stop just because our own does.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Grace Schafer and I am the owner and operator of The Hair Lab. Located in Images Studios Grand Rapids, I specialize in red hair, cutting, extensions, and bridal. The science of hair has always fascinated me and I love to share my knowledge with my clients. I originally wanted to pursue a degree in musical theater, but quickly found that was not the path for me. But similar to theater, I love to give an experience that brings joy to others. My top priority is making sure my clients feel comfortable, educated, and more than anything, leave my chair feeling their best.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The main things I like to focus on are perseverance, honesty, and open mindedness. I definitely didn’t become successful overnight, I needed to grind and work to gain a consistent clientele, which can take several years to build. It is easy to get frustrated and discouraged during the first few years, as you are still working on your craft and building a client base. I have found that honestly is key to building a strong clientele. Having honest conversations with people can be difficult, but are always worth it. I think it is also important to seek out and embrace different types of hair experiences that don’t happen behind the chair. I gained a completely new perspective on styling hair after I got involved in wig styling through community theatre in the Grand Rapids area. It has completely changed how I approach hair styling, and has made a huge impact on my work.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
As I am approaching my 1 year anniversary of starting my business, I am definitely feeling lot of joy, but also doubt. I constantly question “Am I doing enough?” “Should I do this or that?” “Is my work good enough?” I find myself comparing myself to other professionals, and wonder, “should I be doing what they’re doing?” I believe that I need to always try my best to give my best, and it helps me to remember that what I’m doing is enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehairlabco.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehairlab.ges/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563469372222
Image Credits
Ethan Engeseth
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