Kelli Stephenson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Kelli, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I recently created a mini wellness challenge for myself- I noted about fifteen things that help me feel healthy and joyful. These line items range from contributing to my gratitude journal to stretching before bed- all the way to hitting a 100oz water day or doing a 30 minute dog walk. My goal is to pick at least one, every day. It’s infused my fall, so far, with gentle, joyful practices, and I’m loving it!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kelli Stephenson- owner of Lush + Lather, and currently operating my personal stylist brand under Curated Color by Kelli. I am a multi-passionate, business minded girly. My gaze of entrepreneurship ranges from pouring my heart and skillset into my meticulously crafted haircolor services, over into operating my salon and leading a booming team of powerhouse stylists, all the way into a small dabbling of real estate investment and property management. My goal, every day, is simple: serve others. Inspire confidence. Set a stage for others to live their greatest expression of success.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my dad- who also happens to be my best friend, and business mentor. My Dad has always had an incredible way of seeing what my intention was, and having full faith that I could accomplish whatever it was that my mind was set on. He has shown me over years what it looks like to love business, pour into a community, do good, and work hard.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Your intentions are never more clear than when you are hurting- and hurting bad. The moments that have HURT as a business owner; COVID, team turn over, a break in, etc- they force you to get very clear on why you are doing what you are doing, and if you still count it as worthy. I am lucky, and grateful, that each time I have gotten low enough to ask those questions with sobering courage, my answer has still been that I love this, and still want it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
There are so many- my industry is a beautiful patchwork collective of humans that didn’t realize the cost of being a “boss babe” meant you’d also abandon that supports that don’t exist in the land of self-employment. The lies are vast in the beauty industry. “Only welcome the services you LOVE- even when you are brand new.” “Charge your worth- even when there is no demand for your services.” “You can talk about anything you want with a client.” I cherish the professionals I have built my team with that truly value creating space for our clients- I believe a beauty service should always be about connection, rest, confidence, and refreshment- not sitting and hearing about your stylists’ relationship problems or political views 🙂
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I will never regret taking a chance on women in my life. I believe that one of the gifts I was born with is seeing someone’s potential. In fact, it is hard for me to NOT see all that someone is capable of- made for. I am in a unique position to be able to pump women up- recommend something for their image that will match their energy. Hire someone who is intimidated- but who I know is ready. I am usually ready to be the person that pulls the trigger on taking a risk on someone- I will bet on you before you will bet on yourself, and I have zero regrets in living that way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kellistephenson.com https://www.lushandlather.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lushandlather.co/ https://www.instagram.com/curatedcolorbykelli
Image Credits
Kira Whitney Photography
