Meet Stephanie Byich

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Byich. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Stephanie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Ever since I was a child, I loved making people laugh and feel good. Growing up in a small town on a quiet back street, I was surrounded by other kids. The girls in the neighborhood often hung out together, and I started doing their hairstyles, pouring my heart and soul into the craft even at a young age. What began as a hobby grew into a passion and eventually my career.
After high school, I planned to go straight to cosmetology school, but life took a different turn. Instead, I ended up earning an associate degree in business, not fully understanding why at the time. I worked various administrative jobs for a while before finally deciding to follow my true calling and enroll in cosmetology school.
Now, 14 years into my career and seven and a half years as a small business owner, I can see how each step of my journey has shaped me. My passion for making people feel good, which started in childhood, has become the foundation of my professional life.

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?

Something that I really love about my field is that the beauty industry is rapidly evolving and growing every day. I love that we now have access to extensive education, diverse trends, innovative color techniques, and a wide range of product lines to explore. The stylist community is incredibly supportive, and we often connect at conventions and hair shows. These events bring together stylists from all over the world, allowing us to share knowledge, grow together, and celebrate each other’s successes.
Our shared goal is to make every person who sits in our chair feel beautiful inside and out. Throughout our careers, we build many amazing relationships with our clients and fellow stylists. This sense of community and continuous learning is what makes our profession so rewarding and fulfilling.

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?

Be willing to learn and be patient; mastering a hand skill is time-consuming and requires immense commitment. While you can learn to cut hair relatively quick, it takes years of practice and persistence to truly learn how to “create.” This is when you go beyond the basics and start to innovate, taking the principles you’ve learned and making them your own. It’s an art form that develops over time.
Embrace criticism, both positive and negative. Feedback is invaluable, and using it as fuel to work harder has been essential in my journey. Constructive criticism helps you improve, while positive feedback boosts your confidence and reaffirms your efforts. By integrating both types of feedback, you can continuously refine your skills and grow as a professional. This approach has paid off for me, leading to a thriving career that I love.
As a business owner, resilience is crucial. Building your vision from the ground up involves navigating through numerous unforeseen challenges and setbacks. Every failure can be discouraging and makes getting up harder, but these experiences are also invaluable learning opportunities. It’s often when you feel you can’t go on any longer that you experience a breakthrough. The frustration and disappointment eventually fade, replaced by the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals.
However, I never forget where I came from. Gratitude is a key component of my journey and success. Reflecting on the struggles and the progress I’ve made keeps me grounded and appreciative of every milestone. It reminds me of the hard work and determination it took to get here and motivates me to continue pushing forward. This sense of gratitude not only enriches my professional life but also enhances the relationships I build with clients and colleagues.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Burnout is a significant issue in the beauty industry, and self-care is crucial to prevent it. However, self-care doesn’t necessarily mean indulging in a full spa day, especially since hair stylists often struggle to find time to get their own hair done. We become so focused on ensuring everyone else is taken care of that we neglect our own needs. As natural people pleasers, it’s essential to learn how to redirect some of that care toward ourselves, whether it’s through small or significant actions.
Self-care can be as simple as taking a few minutes to breathe deeply, enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, or stepping outside for a short walk. Recognizing the early signs of burnout is key to knowing when to pause and take a break. If we’re burnt out, we can’t provide the best service to our clients.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. While I’m still not a pro at self-care, I’ve become much better at staying in tune with myself and recognizing when I need to step back and recharge. By prioritizing my well-being, I can continue to provide excellent service and maintain my passion for the industry.