We were lucky to catch up with Leigh Ann Gibson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leigh Ann, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Confidence and self-esteem is something I will always be working on and I would say my confidence and self-esteem is still developing. There have been many things that have happened to me in my career that made me question if this was for me. Things that were growth and learning opportunities that I may have let get me down and made myself feel less than. The major development I have learned during the past 15 years in the beauty industry is that these moments are here to help us grow. Once we learn to grow through these challenges, our self-esteem will build so we can tackle the next challenge confidently. I now teach this to my teammates and try to be as supportive as I possibly can to help them understand that mistakes are growth opportunities that can help build self-confidence.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been a Hair Stylist for 15 years and my main focus is being a colorist as it has always been a passion of mine. Five years ago I expanded into teaching with my favorite brand, Davines, because I love everything they stand for. They are a brand who is passionate about sustainability and the planet. Two years ago I took a huge leap and purchased an existing salon. This salon had been in business for almost 30 years and had an amazing team that joined me in this purchase. I had always dreamed of having a great group of professionals alongside me and that finally came true! We renamed the salon ‘Flora Salon + Spa’ to show off the new and modern space we created. I continued to model Davines’ mission but making our salon the first eco-friendly salon in Fremont, Ohio. We currently offer all hair services, lash and hair extensions, facials, electrolysis and nails. We have updated and expanded our spa area into a beautiful, tranquil space.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities that were most impactful in my journey 1. Honesty – Being honest with yourself first and recognizing this. This will help you be honest with others when you may in a situation of explaining what you need. This also helps build trust with others working around you.
2. Discipline – Having self discipline will help you hold yourself accountable so you can learn and grow in whatever career you’re in.
3. Self- Awareness – This ties into the above two qualities but also helps you become the best person you can be not only in your career, but in your personal life. Being self aware will give you the opportunity to build and grow from whatever starting point you may be at.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was making me work for what I want. I wanted a car at 16 years old, I had to get a job and work for it. They also gave me the space to discover who I was and what I wanted. I wanted to move across country for fun, they didn’t say anything negative about my choices and cheered me on. Having that great work ethic at a young and allowing me to make my own decisions and mistakes made me who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.florsalonspa.com
- Instagram: @florasalonspa
- Facebook: florasalonandspa
- Other: https://www.vagaro.com/florasalon
