We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mallory Wehrung. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mallory below.
Mallory, so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.
Growing up, I was very outgoing and loud, but that didn’t mean that I could always communicate effectively. The first time I had to practice public speaking, I was so in my head because I didn’t care about or feel strongly enough about the subject matter. Just because I could talk someone’s ear off at lunch did not mean I could memorize random information and regurgitate it to a crowd of blank-faced 7th graders.
From the moment I stepped foot into beauty school, I knew I belonged in a way I had never experienced before. I instantly felt more confident in that giant room because I saw people that looked like me, dressed similarly, and had wild hair. That confidence has snowballed throughout my 16 years in the beauty industry.
When I was 32 I was diagnosed with 2 learning disabilities, ADHD and Dyslexia, which have always affected my ability to convey my thoughts clearly. Over the years I have learned to break down my communication into smaller parts out of necessity, however this has made me more successful in the long run. If my goal is to teach someone, I first ask questions to find out what they know, what they want to learn and how they learn best. This seems to set up the environment for a positive outcome and more effective communication.
When consulting with a client, I always consider what they want, how to achieve that, and if it’s realistic (or even possible) to achieve that look with their hair type and maintenance level. Once we have established those elements, I like to reiterate our plan as we work and finally close our appointment by reviewing our initial consult to make sure we both feel that the client’s needs were met. I pride myself on my practice of client communication as I believe it has been my true key to success.
Some important questions I have learned to ask include: “When was the last time you had your hair cut?” “How long do you usually go between appointments?” “What does your styling routine look like daily?” “Do you use products in your hair? Do you like what you are using?” Though there are many more and they vary from client to client, this tends to be my jumping off point with any new client or an existing client looking for a change. I have found teaching these topics to new stylists can help them to feel confident in their communication much earlier in their career than I did.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Since 2006, I have been working and training as a hair cutting specialist, stylist, and educator in San Diego and New York City. I worked with Bumble and bumble as a Regional Educator, having trained for 12+ years at Bb. University, and I worked backstage with the Bumble team at New York Fashion Week. I also taught Product Knowledge, Razor Cutting, Styling 1&2, Bb Curl, and Curling Iron Artistry classes to Bb Salons all over Southern California.
As of October 2022, I have made the exciting decision to work as an Independent Stylist after 15+ years as an employee. I’ve learned so much about hair, customer service, and teaching while working in a salon that always kept education at its core. Now that I have a family, my son needs me to be more present and I am thrilled that my career has given me the flexibility to be a well-balanced working parent.
Clients can now find me at Hair Drezzers on Fire at Bay Park which is located at 2603 Denver St, San Diego, CA 92110. Our salon is filled with passionate, talented hairdressers with specialties in hair color, blonding, extensions, styling, and haircutting. I also have a new website for my brand with online booking available at mallorywehrunghair.com that showcases the services I offer, as well as a portfolio of my work.
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?
The areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey would have to be my drive to never stop learning, saying “yes” to opportunities for growth at the start of my career, and always making the time to consult with my clients. I was taught these tips over the years from all of my mentors and I continue to practice and teach them to the next generation of stylists.
Never stop learning: The people I have the most admiration for in the hair industry have maintained a thirst for knowledge. If you ask me, the moment you think you have nothing left to learn is actually the moment you have given up. I wake up every day so excited to go to work, have great conversations with coworkers and clients, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be lucky enough to learn something new. Every class I have taken, taught, or assisted on has taught me something new.
Say yes to opportunities: I believe the first 10 years of a career should be the “yes” years. Of course this doesn’t mean you should be overworked or burned out, but taking on an extra day to observe or assist someone can provide an immense amount of opportunities in the future. So many big moments in my career became possible for me because of the connections I made with people I aspired to be like in my early years.
Always consult with your clients (new or returning): I will never forget my mentor saying “The day you don’t ask you client if they want a change, is the day they do.” Since that moment, I decided that sitting down with every client before I even touch their hair was of paramount importance. I enjoy the connection that is established by making eye contact, helping bring someone’s guard down and building trust. Hair is very personal and I do not take my role in someone’s appearance lightly. My goal is always to make my clients feel better than when they arrived. Looking great is the guarantee!
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Over the past few years I’ve noticed a lot of talk online about hairstylists seeking their “ideal client” and I have to be honest, I didn’t like that mentality–at first. I have seen countless TikTok videos of colorists and stylists saying they only want to attract a very specific clientele. With my background, I learned how to do everything, do it well, and accept anyone who would trust me enough to sit in my chair. These people are paying your bills after all, so why be picky?
Becoming a parent 5 years ago has had a profound impact on my life, of course, but I had no idea the effect it would have on my career. The combination of finding my footing as a new parent, and then again during COVID-19, really showed me that work/life balance was not just possible, but necessary. These past 3 years have truly allowed me to change my perspective on setting boundaries with clients, and I’ve established a work environment where I have almost complete control over my schedule.
The clientele I will not accept any longer are those that come in telling me what to do, criticizing my approach, or being downright rude. I now have the privilege to have a solid book of clients that bring me joy and great conversations while I have the honor of making them feel like their best selves. With that being said, my ideal client is anyone looking for a fresh and experienced outlook on what would look great on them, work with their lifestyle, and is open to professional recommendations for products that would suit their needs. I absolutely adore what I do and look forward to many more years of smiling faces leaving my chair!
Contact Info:
- Website: mallorywehrunghair.com
- Instagram: @whoareyouwehrung
- Other: https://www.hairdrezzersonfire.com/at-bay-park/
Image Credits:
Krikor Daglian, Naomi May
