Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tracy Moss. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tracy, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I am the daughter of educators and entrepreneurs. My parents began their careers with an education and social work background but I truly believe that you are the product of not just your parents but your village. I grew up watching those around me work with a purpose and sense of pride. My paternal grandfather would get up and head out for the trek across the seemingly expansive yard to his barbershop. He was the third generation of barbers to run the now historic business in Lacrosse, WI.
My maternal grandfather who everyone called “Professor,” was a well respected high school teacher with a masters degree in education. My maternal grandmother was the co-director of a child care center. I watched these two get up every morning to help educate and elevate young minds and return home to then ask the grandchildren if we had homework to do.
As I grew up, my mother left social work to first work at a non-profit philanthropic organization and eventually open her own business consulting firm, serving non-profits and other philanthropic organizations. My father eventually became an administrator and later ran several high profile athletic departments while my step mother continued to educate young minds in their community. So I watched not only hard working grandparents, but also three parents give their very best to their chosen fields.
I knew that I would become a salon owner, but I never knew how much of an impact it would have on my life and those around me. Some people enter this profession as a last resort or a quick path to cash, but I entered it for the love of creativity and stayed because of my passion for people. I now have third generation clients because I have picked up lasting friendships, those that we now consider family, along the way. Therefore, work becomes play and passion becomes a way of life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
When you have been doing something for so long, it becomes second nature. After 35+ years in this industry, I started to take my experience and knowledge for granted. I realized that the normal conversations that my clients and I were having about haircare were non existent or foreign to most. Over the years, new clients would comment that, “no one has ever told me that about my hair,” or “wow, you really know the science behind haircare.” I took it with a grain of salt because it was the type of service that I always offered my clients, a true understanding of why, or why we won’t do something.
Because I have a very solid clientele, there has not been much time or space to expand my physical in-salon services. I found myself searching for a way to expand my salon business without jeopardizing the amount of time that I am physically behind the chair. So post-pandemic, like many others, I stepped into the social media world to help educate and provide resolution to hair and scalp issues.
My main focus is on helping people rid themselves of dandruff and other scalp disorders that could lead to hair loss. I have taken the last two years to really do a deep dive into why I was not seeing change in my clients scalp disorders. The standard practice of using dandruff shampoo, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, and the prescribed ointments were providing little continuous relief. I really got into the education of healing our guts for inflammation and yeast overgrowth and began to implement my routine on many of my clients with proven success. I won’t take up time here, but if anyone is interested, I’d love to share. My social media is packed with tips and tricks.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As I look back, the three things that I feel have made the most impact on my journey apply to my business as well as my personal life. They are to 1) Continue to pour into yourself 2) always treat people with respect and 3) understand that not everyone is your client/person.
After earning my MBA, the last thing I wanted to do was take another course, but that’s exactly what I did. I went straight into cosmetology school because I knew that as a salon owner, I would need to know what clients would expect and what stylists should be able to deliver. What I realized along the way is that it was difficult to turn a profit in a small service based business without actually servicing clients as well.
Since then, I continue to not only take classes offered in my industry, but I also continue to learn new things. Whether it is industry related or learning to make jewelry and decorate cakes.
I believe if you find yourself stuck or bored with what you are doing, it is probably time to expand knowledge, learn something new. The world is continuously changing and you must keep up in order to remain engaged in your chosen field. Continue to pour into yourself whether it is through formal education or through YouTube University.
The second thing that has made the most impact in my life is that I try to always treat people with respect. The cliche’ goes that you never know when your paths will cross again. I have seen time and time again, referrals coming from people who are no longer clients. Even though I may not have been the stylist of their choice, it has not prohibited them from referring others. That says a lot about the respect that I’ve maintained despite our business relationship.
Which leads me to the understanding that everyone is not your client/person. Our ego will make us want to know all the details as to why a client chooses not to return, however if you are of the belief that everyone is not your client, you will have a more peaceful career. As in life, if you understand that everyone is not your person, you will have a more peaceful life.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played an important role in your development?
I am always reading about 3-4 books at a time. My favorite sections in the book store are the business section and the self-help section. Years ago, I started reading The Richest Man to Ever Live: King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth and Happiness, by Steven K. Scott. It is in constant rotation. It gives leadership and life lessons from the Bible as implemented by King Solomon. Because my habit had been to read it and go back to the beginning when I am finished, I would have to say this book has made the biggest impact on my leadership/business career.
I am kind of always reading that book and Jesus CEO, Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership, by Laurie Beth Jones. I also keep a daily affirmation book on the bedside table as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @TheRealTracyMoss
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.moss.5836/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-moss-healthyhair
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tracymosshealthyhaircoach
Image Credits
Tracy Moss | Milana Balatbat
