Daily Inspiration: Meet Karlee Schiff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlee Schiff.

Hi Karlee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been in the beauty industry for ten years. I started doing hair when I was 16 years old, it had always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl to one day open up my own salon. I was always begging my parents to let me do their hair, which they graciously let me go wild with and let my creativity flow at the expense of their hair. I started out by taking what I could get at 16 by doing friend’s hair for free, having models come in for me to practice on, and taking whatever salon job I could get. Over those eight years, I had built a wonderful clientele and felt I was in a really good place. Once the pandemic hit and I was not able to get my clients in, due to covid restrictions and hours cut at work, I knew that it was my time to take the leap. After eight years of working for corporations and working my way up from the bottom I finally opened Hair by Karlee Schiff LLC and started my own salon suite rental in June 2020. It has been the best decision I have ever made in my career and I encourage everyone to take the leap. Though it may be scary at times I wouldn’t change a thing!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome in my career was finding a way to get my clients the haircut experience they wanted. When you are working for a corporation they are focusing on your time management skills and how fast you can cut, more so than your technical skills and ability to retain loyal clients. I really struggled with the fact that I had a maximum of 30 minutes to get a haircut done. I felt as though I was working on a conveyer belt of haircuts and didn’t have the time to give my clients a relaxing experience or get to know them as a person. I would often go into “auto pilot” just to get them in and out as I was told to do. I wanted to be that experience where my clients can come in, relax, and not feel like they’re being rushed in and out; a place where my clients knew how appreciated they were and could let their shoulders down in a world that is constantly moving at a fast pace. It took many years for me to finally say enough is enough, I’m doing it my way!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My salon is directed towards men, as I specialize in men’s and boy’s hair. The art of fading hair has always fascinated me, so when I opened shop I knew that it would be more of a barbershop environment. Ask any of my clients, and they’ll tell you that the best part of their service is the neck massage with a straight razor shave at the end of the service. Every service also includes a scalp massaging shampoo with a hot towel, that I take a minimum of 5 minutes or more to do, so that my clients are able to unwind and relax in their busy day. I feel the shampoo is something a lot of stylists tend to overlook in this industry, and definitely sets me apart from others. My motto is come in and relax!

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My biggest supporters are my clients! I was so nervous to take the leap and start my own business, but they constantly reassured me that I would be successful and I could do it. Even two years into a business they are always referring their family and friends my way and cheering me on. None of this would’ve been possible without them! And of course my wonderful family that told me they would support me no matter what happened, they pushed me to follow my dreams and they came true!

Pricing:

• $35 haircut

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vagaro.com/hairbykarleeschiff
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbykarleeschiff/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hairbykarleeschiff/

Image Credits
Karlee Schiff