We’re looking forward to introducing you to Raven Wilkins. Check out our conversation below.
Raven, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Check supplies
Check schedule
water plants
dust is needed
text my assistant
Check Instagram messages
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
After working as a stylist for ten years the pandemic provided me the opportunity to take hold of my future and open my private salon. While the pandemic was at its worse, I felt a deep need for a safe, intimate experience that took my clients and me away from the world’s harsh realities. Thus: Salon Intrinsic.
I have always valued helping people to feel seen and heard. Now those characteristics can be an integral part of my business. Salon Intrinsic is helping you to express your inherent beauty in a space where anyone can feel comfortable and vulnerable.
In addition to excellent client care, we continually pursue higher education, as well as keeping a fashion forward eye. Whether traveling to London for editorial opportunities, San Diego to work with Unite or Seattle for the Vidal Sassoon Academy, I keep consuming knowledge on a global scale for the enjoyment and interests of my clients.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Never thought I would be a small business owner. As a child, even into my late twenties, I would say if you ever catch me owning a small business, I’ve lost my mind. Mostly because I thought that freedom and spontaneity were the most important elements for a happy life. whereas now being a person who owns a small business, I definitely see the opportunities it opens up. Ones I hadn’t noticed before being the project oriented artist now I get to work more on human alchemy. Hiring people with potential, helping them understand what their skills are and creating a path to get them to their desired goals. It’s amazing watching someone gain not just confidence but mastery of their life and vocation. Because as a hair stylist often the two are closely intertwined.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely, at year four of owning my business I had run the Gambit of hiring people and experiencing the letdowns. I was really not enjoying my craft anymore. I looked into other high-paying jobs that allowed me to connect with people on a more authentic level instead of the expert and client relationship. It wasn’t until I got a business coach who pointed out my love for community and convinced me to try again. There I found my joy. I realized it’s not necessarily the craft that makes me happy, but talking to my peers about it, experimenting together and coming up with new approaches. Now I have regained my love for what I do and have a new plan for what my role in my business should focus on.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That you have to suffer and pay your dues to get to a place of success. My industry he desperately needs a update. Based in the whole master and apprentice structure, it exploits the youth and kills the dream of many cosmetologists. There’s this crazy statistic that three out of five hair stylists will stop doing hair in the first three years. This is usually because of how terribly they are treated how low they are paid and how undervalued their help and voices are. “Cattiness” and “demeaning” are just two commonly used terms to describe the toxic yet typical environment salons are known for. At my salon we pay our apprentices well test their knowledge but also teach them ,and build their skills. So they are confident in expressing both their thoughts and their concerns with anyone.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That I started this process with the goal in mind. My business was a reaction to the pandemic and was more of a survival strategy than a thriving plan. It’s only through working with people and always being willing to be wrong that the business has grown through many iterations. I hope when I look back I don’t feel like I wasted too much time figuring out the goals and giving myself permission to pursue them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://salonintrinsic.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: Raven_salon_intrinsic
- Facebook: Salon Intrinsic
