Meet Sarah Dorman

We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Dorman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I’ve always set high standards for myself, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful. I grew up watching YouTube beauty influencers, playing with makeup, and experimenting with different hairstyles. This was something that was fun for me and made me feel good! Over time, I realized I could turn this passion into a career. What truly drew me in was the ability to connect with people and help them feel good about themselves. That’s what motivated me to enroll in cosmetology school.

Having the opportunity to express my creativity through people’s outward appearances has been both exciting and rewarding. Every day, I get to meet new people, hear their stories, and make a tangible difference in their lives—and that’s been an incredible blessing. Nearly 10 years later, I expanded my vision by opening my own clothing boutique. It feels like a natural extension of my cosmetology career and me as a person, where something as simple as a new skirt or a funky jacket can help someone feel more confident.

When I see clients and customers share photos of their new look or a piece of clothing they purchased from me, it feels like a win. Being a small business owner and having the ability to impact others’ lives in such a positive way is my true purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a full-time hair artist with nearly 10 years of experience in the industry. I was fortunate to begin cosmetology school while still in high school, which gave me a solid head start. I truly love my work—collaborating with my amazing coworkers and building relationships with my loyal clientele has been incredibly rewarding. I specialize in custom color, hand-tied extensions, and haircuts.

You may have heard of the ‘10-year itch,’ which describes the urge to explore new opportunities after working in the same field for about a decade. That’s exactly how I felt, and it led me to the world of fashion and boutiques. After consulting with my business coach, she gave me the confidence to take the leap and see if I could balance it alongside my hair career. That’s when I launched Del Sol Boutique. “Del Sol,” meaning “from the sun,” reflects my love for the beach, which is my favorite place to be and the vibe I hoped to capture within my business.

Running my boutique allows me to stretch my creative muscles even further and express another side of myself. While it’s fully online, I’m also excited to be diving into pop-up shops. I’ve got several events coming up where I’ll have the opportunity to connect with customers face-to-face, which I absolutely love. I would love to connect with even more of my community. My boutique is a true reflection of who I am—I focus on curating pieces that align with my personal style and only sell items I would wear myself.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I love this question! My entire career has been a learning experience, and there are three key qualities I’ve developed that have really helped me navigate this journey:
1. It’s okay to fail—it’s actually necessary.
2. Be a sponge—absorb everything you can while you can.
3. Be persistent—everything takes time.

I’ve always been a perfectionist—sometimes to a fault. But I was quickly humbled when I started doing hair. Which as hard as it was, was really good for me. I learned that failure is inevitable at times, but what really matters is how you respond. Will you beat yourself up and give up, or will you treat it as a lesson and use it as an opportunity to grow? Shifting into that mindset opens the door to growth in ways you wouldn’t expect.

Starting a new career, I placed a high value on education. Even if it meant having no clients for the day, I would watch my boss work and learn from her. I believe you can never know too much, and every day is a chance to learn something new. With today’s access to technology, there’s education everywhere, and I never take that for granted.

Persistence is key to growth. Nothing truly remarkable happens overnight. As a small business owner and growing entrepreneur, the little moments often mean the most. That picture with three likes, the client who texts to say they loved their hair, or getting invited to an event—those moments are seeds that grow into bigger achievements. You have to keep going, even when it feels like no one cares or no one is supporting you. These are the moments that test you but ultimately lead to the most significant growth.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Last year, I made the decision to hire a business coach, Heather Podlesney. I’m deeply invested in my career, but I knew I needed support on the business side of things. These are areas that aren’t emphasized in cosmetology school. And as for the boutique… well, I dove in headfirst and crossed my fingers! I honestly wouldn’t have been able to navigate it without Heather’s guidance. She’s been invaluable in helping me with budgeting, marketing strategies, and all the behind-the-scenes, not so fun numbers that come with running a business.

As I mentioned earlier, my businesses are an extension of who I am, and I want them to run as smoothly and successfully as possible. While I know my strengths, I can also recognize where I need support. Having someone to turn to when I have questions outside my expertise has been a game-changer. I truly believe every small business owner should consider investing in this kind of support, if they can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.delsolboutique.com
• Instagram: styled.x.sarah & shop.delsolboutique
• Facebook: del sol boutique

Image Credits

Hailey Staterstad Photography
Cassie Nicole Photography