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Meet Trailblazer Chelsie McCormick

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsie McCormick.

Chelsie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Oh, where to begin! I am the youngest out of three girls (poor dad always wanted a boy)! That being said I was such a tomboy, fashion and girlie things were not me! Big T-shirt’s, football with the boys, and getting dirty, that’s was the life! So, it took everyone by surprise when I fell in love with beauty school? At the time we were living in Cali and my oldest sister was attending beauty school and I remember falling in love with it. The sounds, the smells, the atmosphere! My heart was like yep this is it!! So, as the years passed and still know as a tomboy but now, I’m a tomboy who can do hair! Every dance or event my house would turn into a beauty shop! (Poor Dad!) I would do all my friend’s hair and make up for any event throughout junior high and high school! Half way through my senior year I signed up for beauty school!! Everyone use to laugh cause I worked at Sport Chalet a sporting goods store and then went to beauty school! Took me about a year to graduate and I couldn’t wait to get started into the industry!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road! Haha, no. I was young and I thought I was just going to be instantly amazing behind the chair because I had found my passion, oh the reality check I had! All though I learned a lot in beauty school I was not grounded enough in color. I had more than I want to admit of color mess ups in my first year! I had just moved out and I didn’t feel like I was making enough money so I started taking hours back at my old job. Then, I took this class that was helping build your business and I had a teacher tell me that the first year or so in this industry is hard and you have to give it your all. I realized I wasn’t giving it everything. So, I quit my other job (again) and dove in. Whenever I didn’t have a client, I would watch the girls around me. I’m sure I was so annoying cause I was like why this and why that! I’m so thankful for the strong and loving staff I was surrounded by! They helped me understand the science and build my confidence to be my own stylist! And I couldn’t get enough of classes!! I went to everything my work offered and what my local beauty supply stores would offer! And with all the attention to my growth, I continued growing! Next thing I knew, I was promoted to a senior stylist, then a master stylist, and eventually a trainer/educator for my company!! The saying hard work pays off hits home for me! I love all my struggles cause they have made me better behind the chair and in life!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Salon29Eleven – what should we know?
So, I have work for the same company for ten years before they suddenly closed down! This has brought me to opening a salon suite with two of the best suite mates!! We’re still currently building our brand in what we want to represent! If you were to scroll my Instagram feed you would see blondes, balayage, and color corrections!! I think what sets me apart from others is I am more interested in the integrity of your hair than results! And I’m not afraid to tell you that!! I think patience in the process is what helps me! I’m the old company I was known for my training! I traveled all over AZ and other states growing my fellow stylist! This brought me the most joy!! I love every ah-ha moment I had with teammates! I would say that’s the thing I am most proud of! Helping others grow the way others had helped me! Now, being a new business owner the crazy of starting it up has put training on the back burner but now that the dust is settling I’m ready to begin training again and building a brand the supports healthy hair and healthy stylist!!!

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Today’s media is so political. Men this and woman that?! I believe if you find something you love and are passionate about, make it happen. Find those opportunities, kick ass, and keep going.

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