Meet Shelly Hefner of Stylin’ by Shell in East Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Hefner.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Shelly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
So, let’s see… I grew up in Morenci AZ and went to Morenci Jr. Sr. high school. I was an all-star athlete! I did every sport I was able to do. I had to keep busy living in such a small town. I am a 4×8 state champion in track & field! Whoot! I am the eldest of three and my parents have been married for 33 years! I have always been a natural and positive leader! I was taught to do a job to the best of my ability or don’t do it at all! I take pride in that and it shows in my work. My relationship with the Lord is everything to me, it’s my foundation. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have that relationship. In 2003, I graduated from high school and moved to Phoenix! Small town girl moving and living in the BIG city! I attended Mesa Community College for a couple of years, dropped out after working three jobs and attending college full time. It was hard. I did always feel there was more for me. I landed a really good job in inventory/customer service with full benefits and the whole nine. All while serving in the restaurant industry.

I got pregnant at age 27 with my beautiful boy Bronx Hefner. I worked diligently for six years then left to be a stay at home mom. We are a home of three boys and one mommy and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I did work a few at home jobs while being a stay at home mommy and also took good care of my boys. I’ve always been very busy and did whatever I had to do to help my family.

Throughout this time, I assisted one of my best friends, Kelly Smith, who is a Cosmetologist, since 2003. It was one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. She’s a great person, mentor and I will forever be thankful for everything she showed me and taught me. I didn’t realize at the time she was helping me to pursue my passion.

November 5, 2016, I married my soulmate Jeremy Hefner who is Bronx’ father. He is an amazing man, a wonderful father, and my number one supporter. If it were not for him I would not have gone to Cosmetology school. I graduated in 2017. It only took me 13 months. From there, I got my license and went straight into renting a chair. I figured since I was doing hair since 2003 I’d be able to build my book of business fairly quickly. It was a doable challenge. I’m very excited and it’s something I consider an accomplishment – especially because of the progress and development I have experienced. I now have full books and a thriving career. I take pride in my work! I make sure all of my clients are treated with the utmost respect, are cared for, and the integrity of their hair is maintained and/or corrected.

I love having my own business. Every day presents a new challenge and my clients feel more like family! I get to express my artistic side and make my visions become reality.

My goals are to continue to mentor those around me in order to cultivate like-minded entrepreneurs. I hope that people who have questions know they are encouraged to reach out to me.

Has it been a smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Well, during my 13 straight months at school, Jeremy my husband worked full time and traveled – although we are extremely strong I sometimes felt like the weeks were trying and felt I was on my own. But with the help of family and good friends, I got it done. The road has been a little bumpy however, overall becoming a Cosmetologist is one of my greatest achievements. If I can impart any wisdom from personal experiences thus far, it would be to stay strong and pursue your dreams, trust your intuition and keep the faith.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Stylin’ by Shell story. Tell us more about the business.
I work as a full-time Cosmetologist renting my own chair in a salon suites facility named Salon Boutiques in Chandler. As a stylist, my work/art consists of men and woman haircuts, retouches, highlights, partial highlights, balayage, foliage, color corrections, micro-bead extensions, tape-in extensions, braid-less weft extensions and Brazilian Blowouts. I would say that I’m best known for would have to be extensions, color corrections and balayage. I am very particular which is a great trait to have when it comes to these tasks. Like I said before in my story I was taught to do a job to the best of my ability. So, I feel I do just that. Every single client that sits in my chair is well taken care of. I am very proud of how far I have come and am excited to see what happens in the future. I love what I do and love this ever-changing industry.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
It’s hard to say where I think this industry is going. The world of Cosmetology is always changing. I am pretty sure all the bright colors are here to stay as well as the balayage technique. I have noticed a lot of salon suites have been going up around the city. Most stylists are now renting their own suites and owning their own businesses now. Salons are now far and few between. With everything revolving around the internet, maybe our industry is going to end up being nothing but traveling to our clients. I have been seeing a lot of mobile salon who travel to clients. However, no matter the change I’m in!

Contact Info:

• Address: 950 E Pecos Rd. Suite #11
  Chandler, AZ 85225
• Website: www.shellyhefner.com
• Phone: 480-208-4312
• Email: shellyhefnerllc@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylinbyshell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylinbyshell/

Image Credit:
Shelly Hefner

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