We recently connected with Teresa Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Teresa, 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 definitely got my resilience from my parents. My parents were the type that never gave you the answeres. if we didn’t know how to do something, they would say figure it out. We were never allowed to have self pity because they would always say that there were people out there that have it much worse, and that in life you couldn’t allow negative emotions to take over your thoughts for any length of time. If there are no solutions to a situation, let it go.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a curly focused salon that I started in 2008 during a Downturn in the economy and wanted to somehow offer something that was different at the time. I was the first salon to be curly focused in Minneapolis and It has been a wonderful journey. I have learned that people with curly hair found that the traditional way of cutting doesn’t always work for them. We have actually had people cry with joy because they now love their hair.
We have people travel far and wide to come to our salon….they come from Iowa , Canada, California , North and South Dakota, Wisconsin and Chicago . I think the one that has come the furthest is the customer that comes in from Hawaii to get her hair cut whenever she is in Minnesota. We see her at least once or twice a year. She doesn’t get her hair cut anywhere else.
The thing that we really focus on is education as that is the most important factor of getting the best results in a defined and hydrated curl. Next we focus on products that have the best ingredients. We find that in the United States we have the most lax restrictions on ingredients in products. Ingredients that are not allowed other countries are allowed to be in products here and to be sold.
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?
Every five to ten years we have inflation that is why they say that most businesses do not survive 5 years. so be wise with your money, have money set aside. Always reinvent your business.
We just added a wedding service that we go on location. We found out that customers want updos that enhance their natural curl for their wedding. So advertising that on our website has definitely promoted our wedding sevices.
We are always looking for new and innovating ideas.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I am always looking for inspiration and education. I have taken a couple of coaching classes (Salon Cadence, Inspiring champions) that has been very helpful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetwistedhare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twistedhare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTwistedHareSalon
Image Credits
All of the images that I submited were taken by the salon. they are no professional pictures. The picture of the chandelier’s are what Adam Croft ( the artist) made for the salon. All Models have given permission for us to use their picture
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
