Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah McNeill.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey in the beauty industry started right out of high school. At 18, I started working the front desk of a large salon in Raleigh called Salon Blu. I completely fell in love with the industry. I always loved connecting with people and I also had a passion for art and creating, so once I got into a salon and saw my passions colliding, I knew hair styling would be a great option for me.
By the time I turned 19, I was enrolled at the AVEDA Institute in Chapel Hill. I continued to work the front desk at Salon Blu through hair school, and once I completed my schooling, I started working as an associate stylist training at Salon Blu. I had an incredible mentor, Tara Gardiner, who focused my training on not just the artistry of hairstyling but also the business side of things.
After working for Salon Blu as a stylist for three years, I decided the time was right for me to chart my own path. I rented a one chair room at Salon Lofts and formed Salon Synchronicity LLC. I only spent one year at Salon Lofts before I realized I had bigger dreams. While I enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working for myself, I missed working in a team environment.
In May of 2019, I expanded my one woman show into a larger salon space with two stylists that believed in my vision. I wanted to create a salon environment that combined the best of both of the worlds I had experienced as a stylist. The first year in the space, I really took time to figure out where my “sweet spot” was. After some trial and error, I have been able to create a space at Salon Synchronicity where stylists have the freedom, flexibility and earning potential of being self-employed without giving up the support and collaboration one might find in a larger established salon environment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning a small business is never a smooth road. One of my greatest challenges has been figuring out the role I want to play as a salon owner and truly figuring out a business model and salon culture that is authentic to me and my passion.
I find that it’s really easy to compare myself and my business with other salons. I have to remind myself to stay focused on MY goals and to work them at my own pace.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Salon Synchronicity?
Salon Synchronicity is a booth rent salon located in the heart of North Raleigh. We’re known for our relaxing environment, spa like add-on services and commitment to sustainable practices. Each stylist at Salon Synchronicity is self-employed and is encouraged to grow and nurture their own professional identity through business resources and professional development. This allows stylists to truly offer specialized services based on their client’s needs.
We are a certified sustainable salon through Green Circle Salons. By collecting, sorting and mailing off our salon waste to Green Circle Salon every month, we recycle and repurpose 95% of our salon waste.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite memories from childhood was the time I spent cutting my Barbies’ hair in the plastic pool on my parents’ back porch. My mom would fill up the pool for me on a hot summer day and let me take little bits of her shampoo to wash my Barbie’s hair. I remember loving the instant gratification of watching the sudsy bubbles disappear from my Barbies and see smooth wet hair revealed as I dipped their heads in the water.
Once my Barbie’s hair was squeaky clean, I would take my childsafe Crayola scissors and go to work. By the end of the afternoon, I was probably the only child on the block with totally bald Barbies.
Contact Info:
- Email: Salonsynchronicity@gmail.com
- Website: www.salonsynchronicity.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/salonsynchronicity
- Facebook: Facebook.com/salonsynchronicity
Image Credits
Trevor and Shelby Pennington
