Conversations with Stephanie Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Smith.

Stephanie , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My Career Journey: From Cutting Hair in Middle School to Salon Owner

My love for hair started unexpectedly when I was 13—I got in trouble for cutting my friend’s hair. What felt like a rebellious moment back then actually sparked something deeper in me. By the time I was 16, I was working in a salon, completely immersed in the energy and creativity of the industry. I never left.

At 20, I completed beauty school, still unsure about where this path would take me. I didn’t know if I wanted to be a hairstylist forever. But what kept me going wasn’t just the craft—it was the relationships. I fell in love with making people feel good, building trust and connection, and yes, the fast-paced financial rewards didn’t hurt either.

In my early 30s, I faced one of the hardest seasons of my life. My child was very sick, and during that time, work became my escape. The salon was a space where I could be myself—where I could breathe, connect, and find moments of peace away from constant fear and stress. It reminded me why I loved what I did.

In 2022, my husband received a small inheritance. Around the same time, I stumbled on an ad for a salon that was for sale. Something in me just knew—I wanted to go for it. So, we bought it.

I had no idea what I was really getting into. I’ve always been a hustler, a dreamer, and someone who finds a way to make things work. But running a brick-and-mortar business with a team of employees? That was a whole new world. The learning curve has been steep, but the growth—both personal and professional—has been worth every challenge.

Today, I’m not just a stylist—I’m a business owner, a mentor, and a leader. My journey hasn’t been linear or planned, but it’s been full of purpose, passion, and perseverance.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
⸻

From Fear to Fierce: Learning to Lead

The hardest part of buying the salon wasn’t the remodel, the finances, or even the unknowns—it was finding the confidence every single day to walk into that building and act like I knew what I was doing. The truth? I was scared out of my mind.

I had just bought a business with 13 employees and a space that needed a total transformation. From the moment I stepped in, I knew I had to make changes. I implemented structure and introduced reasonable expectations—things any business needs to run well—but not everyone was on board. Within 60 days, more than half the team had quit. I was down to seven employees, and hiring felt impossible. I was showing up at every beauty school in the West Valley, essentially begging for students to come check us out.

I found myself doing things I never imagined: managing client complaints, letting people go, learning new systems, and explaining software changes to stylists who didn’t want to deal with more change. It was chaos—but it was mine. Every single day before walking into that building, I would blast some “hear-me-roar” kind of anthem to psych myself up. I needed that fire. Because I kept coming back to one belief:

If I make this a place where hairstylists want to work, it will succeed.

That’s been my north star ever since. My number one priority is creating a space where stylists feel heard, valued, and supported—where they understand why changes are happening and trust that I’ve got their back 100%.

Owning a salon hasn’t just been about running a business. It’s been about stepping into leadership, standing strong when it’s uncomfortable, and never losing sight of the people who make it all possible.

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?
⸻

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m incredibly proud of my 20-year career as a hairstylist. This journey has given me so much more than just a profession—it’s given me freedom, creativity, connection, and constant growth. Every day, I get to make people feel beautiful, and that never gets old. I’ve always stayed eager to learn, to evolve, and to push myself to be better than I was the day before.

But what I’m most proud of is the confidence this career has given me. Confidence in myself. Confidence in my craft. And confidence in the incredible team that has helped shape the salon into what it is today.

Behind every success, every transformation, every moment of beauty—there’s a story. And I’m proud to say mine is still being written, with passion and purpose leading the way.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The Risk I’m Taking

The biggest risk I’ve taken? Honestly, it’s that I’m still figuring it out. Every single day is different. Some days I feel like I’ve got it all under control, and other days I’m just mentally bracing myself for whatever comes my way.

There are so many quotes about taking risks, and maybe they apply—but I never really saw this as a risk at first. I just saw an opportunity to create something special. A place where stylists could thrive, and clients could feel amazing. That vision is what keeps me going.

I didn’t have a five-year plan or a safety net—I had belief. Belief that I could make this place awesome. And that’s still what I tell myself, every day. Build something amazing. Stay grounded. Keep going

Pricing:

• Haircut $50
• Root touch up $80
• All over color $100
• Blow dry $45
• Up do $70

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.olivinesalon.com
• Instagram: Olivine_Salon
• Facebook: Olivine Salon
• Yelp: Olivine Salon

Image Credits
Olivine Salon team at The Room Escape Games in Avondale

Olivine Salon team at Air Yoga in Goodyear

Olivine Salon team taking a charcuterie, making class with charcuterieLane

Photo graphs of the salon