Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Doan.
Hi Brittany, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the beauty industry was definitely not planned. I actually went to UC Irvine on a soccer scholarship, studying Public Health. Unfortunately, I had to quit soccer my second year due to a concussion. For the first time in my life, I had free time, so I decided to study abroad. That’s when I completely fell in love with traveling.
I wanted to find a way to fund my travels, so I taught myself how to do lash extensions. What started as a little side hustle quickly turned into something much bigger. I saw so much opportunity in the beauty industry that I decided not to finish college and instead enrolled in beauty school to get my esthetician license.
After getting licensed, I built a little “she shed” in my mom’s front yard and started taking clients for lashes and facials. It was honestly the cutest little setup, but someone in the neighborhood wasn’t too happy about it, and we ended up having to take it down. At the time, it felt like a huge setback, but looking back, it was probably one of the best things that could have happened to my business.
That pushed me to move into Noni in Leucadia, where I spent the next three years growing my clientele and building my business. Eventually, I outgrew that space and decided to take another leap by opening my first salon in Oceanside.
I originally built out the salon for myself, but I had more rooms than I needed, so I started renting them to other beauty professionals. I quickly realized how much I loved not only growing my own business but also creating a space where other women could grow theirs. When another opportunity came up to lease an additional space in the same building, I went for it. That turned into an entire salon suite business, where I now have 12 girls running their own businesses!
This summer, another opportunity came my way, and I purchased a hair salon in San Clemente. I completely transformed it into Coastal Roots, a salon right by the beach offering hair, skin, lashes, and brows.
It’s pretty crazy to think that something I started just to pay for my travels has turned into all of this. I’ve now been in the beauty industry for over 11 years, and along the way I’ve also become an educator, helping other estheticians build their own businesses.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that I’ve never really felt ready for any of the opportunities I’ve taken. I wasn’t ready to open my first salon, expand into salon suites, or buy another salon. I’ve just always been willing to take the risk and figure things out along the way. And so far, that’s worked out pretty well for me!
Alright, 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?
Oh, there have definitely been a lot of hurdles along the way! I think one of my biggest challenges has been learning how to understand the numbers behind my business. When you’re first starting out as an esthetician, you’re really just focused on getting clients and providing a service. But as your business grows, you have to start thinking differently. It’s not just about how much money you’re making, but where that money is going, what you’re investing in, and whether those investments actually make sense.
I’m still very much a work in progress when it comes to this. I’ve always been a free spirit and someone who jumps into opportunities and figures things out along the way. That mentality has gotten me really far, but I’m also learning that not every opportunity is a good opportunity. There’s a fine line between taking risks and making smart, logical business decisions, and I’m constantly trying to find that balance.
Another huge challenge has been the actual process of opening salons. People see the finished product on Instagram, but they don’t see everything that goes wrong behind the scenes. During the buildout of my second salon, I didn’t have the best team working on the project, and things got so stressful that I almost wasn’t able to open on my scheduled date.
I learned a lot from that experience, and when it came time to build out Coastal Roots, I was determined not to make the same mistake twice. I actually interviewed 10 different contractors before choosing one because I was so scared of going through that again!
I think that’s been a recurring theme throughout my career. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and I’m sure I’ll make plenty more. But every time something goes wrong, I try to take something from it and apply it to whatever I do next. I don’t think you ever get to a point in business where you have everything figured out. You just get a little better at handling the challenges as they come.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I feel like my business has evolved so much over the years! What started as me doing lash extensions in my mom’s front yard has turned into something I never could have imagined.
Today, I still provide services for clients, I own and run a salon suite business, and educate other beauty professionals. I started my career specializing in lash extensions, but over the years I’ve expanded into skincare, brows, facials, and education. I’ve always loved learning new things, and I think that’s a big reason why my business has continued to grow.
My salon suite business in Oceanside is home to 12 women running their own beauty businesses. One of the things I’m most proud of is being able to provide a space where other women can build something of their own. I know firsthand how intimidating it can be to start a business, and I love being able to help other beauty professionals navigate that journey.
My newest salon, Coastal Roots, is located in San Clemente, right by the beach. We offer hair, skin, lash, and brow services, and I’ve put so much thought into creating a space that feels welcoming, beautiful, and inspiring for both our clients and the women working there. Education is also a huge part of our salon culture. I want the girls working in my salons to feel like they have someone in their corner who genuinely wants to see them succeed.
Outside of the salons, I’m also really passionate about education. I teach other estheticians not only how to perform services but also how to market themselves, attract clients, and grow their businesses. I think there’s so much more to being successful in the beauty industry than just being good at your craft. You have to learn how to run a business, too, and that’s something I love sharing with others.
I think what sets my businesses apart is that I’m not just focused on filling chairs or renting rooms. I genuinely care about the success of the women working in my spaces. Their success is just as important to me as my own, and I feel a responsibility to help them grow.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the community I’ve built. I never wanted to create a salon where everyone just shows up, works, and goes home. I want to create an environment where women feel supported, inspired, and excited about what they’re building.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that my businesses are about so much more than beauty services. They’re about creating opportunities, building confidence, and showing other women what’s possible when you take a chance on yourself.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I used to be really into self help books but I have found that as my business has grown and I have many more stressors, meditation helps and easy, mindless books that let me shut off my brain. With everything I have going on, it’s one of my favorite ways to escape and decompress. In the morning, I use the app Higher Self for affirmations and meditations. I also use Headspace! At the end of the day, thats when I enjoy the mindless books. My day is always go, go, go so these help with getting me out of work mode. I know thats not the answer some are looking for but I don’t think of all the self help books I’ve read, I’ve gotten that “ah-ha” moment. Those types of moments come to me when I’m out of work mode.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rootedreflectionsstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooted.reflections/
