Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Tressler Christian.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started as an assistant in a barbershop in Maryland when I was 12 and began assisting a full-service spa at 14. I graduated high school early at 16 in order to attend cosmetology school in DC. I worked behind the chair for several years before leaving to work for a hair product manufacturer. I loved the education end of my position, so I then joined forces with a cosmetology school franchise owner in Baltimore, managing sales for the company. The experience opened my eyes to the intense regulatory nature of higher education and led me to pursue a law degree n Delaware. During law school, I met my ex-husband (a Dallas native) who talked me into moving here in 2007. I practiced business law for a bit after moving, but missed the industry and went back into school management. In 2012, I opened Salon Boutique Academy in Addison with the help of my two business partners. Since then, we have successfully graduated more than 600 students.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Beginning a start-up is always a challenge. Even when you are experienced in the industry, there are always surprises when opening a new business. It is a bit like bowling in the dark. You can use experience and research to anticipate your expenses and project your revenues, but until you live it, the estimates are just educated guesses. When real numbers do not match the projections, it can be discouraging and challenging. It definitely requires a glass-half-full approach to make sure you stay positive during the growth stages of the business.
Please tell us about Salon Boutique Academy.
Our school specializes in training adults who are interested in a career in the beauty industry. We train those who are passionate about skincare and find the idea of working as a licensed esthetician to be an exciting and rewarding career. We also train hairdressers who are looking for strong foundational skills in cutting and coloring. Our advanced academy provides training classes for makeup, permanent cosmetics, braiding and wig making, and specialized skincare modalities. As a company, we are proud of the competence of our graduates. Come in and receive a facial service from any student, and it will be clear what sets them apart from their competition.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I started a business full-scale in terms of location, build-out, and staffing. Kind of a”build it, and they will come” mentality. If I were to start over, I would start smaller and grow with my business rather than going in full force.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4135 Belt Line Road Suite 102, Addison Texas 75001
- Website: www.salonboutiqueacademy.com
- Phone: 214-263-3276
- Email: contact@salonboutiqueacademy.com
- Instagram: @salonboutiqueacademy
- Facebook: @salonboutiqueacademy
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