Jeff Stuckey - Independent Stylist Spotlight

From $4 haircuts in the kitchen with sewing scissors, to two Salon Lofts in booming Short North in Columbus, Ohio, Jeff Stuckey, an independent stylist, has created success through three simple actions.

1. Show up.

2. Create your brand.

3. Put it out there.

Show up : The Beginning years of your career is a lot of work as you are building your clienteleand skill. He says simply showing up and being present and open to learning is an importantpart to success.

Create your Brand : Choose a style, a niche within your industry, and a brand that supports your style. These are just starting points. Educate yourself. Jeff says, “Keep it Fresh. Kids getting out of beauty school are learning techniques that I still need to learn. Being able to stay relevant at every age, will bring success.”

Put it Out There : Whether it be t-shirts, or business cards, Jeff is not afraid to put his name outthere. When he moved to the area, he walked up and down the street, building connections.Most of the things he buys for his salon are from local businesses/artists. He lives by the idea that if the community is doing well, he will do well.

In addition to these actions, Jeff believes in building trust through the wash house experience and through the open communication he carries within his salon. A lot of his clients have been with him for many years, including when he switched salons as he grew in the industry. Cutting, barbering, and maintenance are his salon specialties.

Pro tip from Jeff: The more product you carry, the more product you sell. He is a firm believer that if you buy a case of one item, you are going to make a stronger attempt at selling it. Pick a product you trust and sell it. If you trust the brand/product, your clients will trust you.