Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Sells.
Hi Shelby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Austin, Texas and raised in the suburb of Pflugerville where I graduated from high school. While owning a Salon has always been a dream of mine, I first wanted to get my college degree while playing Division I softball on athletic scholarship. After three seasons of softball, I realized that I was ready for the next chapter in my life. I moved home the summer of 2016. In July of that year, I started cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell The School- Austin. Yes, I am that crazy I was a taking my last 18 hours of college online while attending a three day “part-time” 35 hours a week cosmetology program. With the plan in motion to start my dream career, I graduated college early with Honors, Cum Laude in December 2016 with my BA in Business Administration.
I graduated cosmetology school June of 2017, and the following week I opened my salon suite in Cedar Park, Texas. I then grew into a double suite where I developed as a stylist until outgrowing the space in 2020 right before the pandemic.
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?
In 2017, I opened a salon suite with very little clientele. I had to grow my business by word of mouth and build my reputation. After my first year in business, I upgraded to a double suite with two salon chairs and one wash bowl. I then learned how to double book to be able to make enough money to pay bills but also saving for my dream of opening a salon. I stayed at the suite for four years but truly outgrew the space in 2020. I was searching for real-estate when the pandemic hit, shutting down my business for eight weeks. I had not gotten far enough into my real-estate search, and with so much uncertainty I decided to hold off until things opened back up providing more comfort with taking the risk. In April 2021, I signed my first commercial lease and started construction on the space. The pandemic was not over, and we had just started to see supply chain issues when construction started. There were many setbacks in this process. We had to pivot when those arose and make due with what was in stock while still holding onto my vision but getting my doors open as soon as possible. My suite lease was ending and I could not extend week by week nor monthly. Thankfully we got everything ready with two days to spare before I needed to return to work. In conclusion, the pandemic has been the biggest setback and has increased the risk with opening and operating my business that is not deemed a necessity.
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?
I am a business owner and hairstylist. I own Layne & Co. Salon in Austin, Texas. I am most proud of opening my dream salon at the age of 26 within five years of starting my career. I specialize in Invisible Bead Extensions (IBE), Blonding, and lived in color. What sets me apart from others in Austin is that I am the only Platform Artist with IBE in the area. I am an exclusive stylist within their method, meaning my education on the method is extensive. I have been offering this method for two years but have been doing extensions since 2018.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory would be traveling around with my grandma. We have been to many places together as she traveled with me to softball tournaments all over Texas and around the US. We have been on two international cruises, one in Europe and the other in the Caribbean. I cherish these memories with her as she has had a huge impact on my life. I have always looked up to her, as she was a single Independent woman and business owner which inspired me to be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Email: Contact@laynecosalon.com or shelby@laynecosalon.com
- Website: https://www.laynecosalon.com/
- Instagram: @laynecosalon @Shelbyslayshair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laynecosalon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/layne-and-co-salon-austin?osq=layne+%26+Co.+salon
