Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Farmer.
Hi Elissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was a little girl, I used to sit and watch my oldest sister Amber get ready for the day. She made beauty seem so effortless. I remember her telling me that “You can train your hair to do anything.” I loved watching her get ready. I felt really special when she would get me ready with her. I was more of a tomboy growing up. I was into anything and everything that involved horses or sports. Barbies and baby dolls were not my thing. My other older sister and I both played every sport our school offered. When her teammates found out I was the one that was braiding her hair they would attempt to get me out of class to see if I could braid their hair also. Games days, I was a high commodity, and that made me feel special. They came to me to help them look their best. It was my first taste of purpose and opportunity. As high school came to a close, I felt pressure to pursue society’s idea of success. I thought choosing to pursue a nursing degree that I could be that image of success and acceptance. I finished all my prerequisites the first two years of college and started applying for nursing programs, although I knew that wasn’t really where my heart was. After struggling through a few courses, I came clean to my sister. She encouraged me to be true to myself and be my own success story. That reassurance and support gave me the courage to throw away the idea that I had to chase society’s standards of success.
I graduated cosmetology school from Navarro College
I had a job lined out waiting for me after I graduated from Navarro. I knew cosmetology school was just the beginning on this journey to be a competent and confident Stylist for both myself and anyone in my chair. I chose to grow my knowledge and skills in my profession, and I went to additional hands-on trainings.
After one of my trainings, the teacher of the class, who was also one of the creative design team members for Rusk, asked me if I would be interested in becoming an educator for the company. I was very excited and honored. Of course, I jumped on the opportunity. They flew me all over for trainings. I went to Florida, Arizona, and Connecticut to name a few. They taught me everything there was to know about Rusk products, color theory, haircuts, and updos. I started teaching other stylist at schools, salons, professional beauty supply stores, and hair shows. I had the privilege to be on the big stage at hair shows and teach about our products and new color techniques. It was out of my comfort zone yet also very excited. I grew up in a small town and never traveled much before working for Rusk. It was an experience that changed my perspective on the world out there I never knew. I’m very grateful for Rusk giving me the push I needed to step out of what felt comfortable and safe for me at the time.
In 2018 the owner of Bangadangs was ready to retire. At this point, I had been working at Bangadangs for three years. I had a wonderful clientele established, and I knew I didn’t want to leave, so when the owner approached me with the opportunity to buy her business, I knew I had to find a way to make it happen.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say nothing worth having is easy, and I have definitely had to work very hard to build my clientele and market myself to get my name out there. When I bought the salon, it was a commission-based salon that had me and two other stylists working there. I researched business plans and turned it into a booth rental salon. After I bought it there were four stylists (myself included) and a massage therapist. It felt like I was on the right track to getting all my chairs full and then Covid happened. I had to shut down for three months. In that time, I didn’t make the girls pay me rent since they were unable to work. As a small business owner, my resources were limited, but in those three months, I did not require the other stylists to pay booth rent. It was the only way I knew to help. I know we were all just trying to survive the pain of the pandemic. Unfortunately, my mortgage and other expenses for the salon still had to be paid every month. To say the least, it was a struggle to survive that year. I am proud to say that we now have six stylist chairs, two suit rooms, and a manicure and pedicure station.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bangadangs Hair Salon & Spa?
I am the owner of Bangadangs Hair Salon & Spa. I have 6 chairs that are leased for hair services. The services we offer include; haircuts for men, women, and children, all hair coloring services, eyebrow tenting, hair extensions, smoothing treatments, deep conditioning treatments, perms, full body waxing in one suits, and a nurse that does IV hydration and Botox in another suit. I have a manicure and pedicure station as well. I work behind the chair doing hair 5-6 days a week. I’m known for specializing in men and women’s haircuts as well as all coloring and smoothing services. I also do hair extensions.
I am most proud that since owning my salon, we have been Voted Best of the Best Beauty Salon in Corsicana twice, and I have been voted Best of the Best Hair Stylist. I feel extremely blessed to be able to say I purchased my own business at 25 years old. I believe I have been very successful! I recently got an eyelash tech that does eyelash extensions, henna brows, and jelly mask.
This will make 5 years now, and the salon went under a beauty makeover of its own. We remodeled and rebranded to put my own personal touches on it. My salon is a very fun family-friendly salon. There is always a good time to be had while receiving outstanding services.
We are the closest salon to Richland Chambers Lake, and therefore, we have a huge lake clientele. What sets me apart from other salons is the quality of work that the stylist at Bangadangs put out in addition to our convenient location. We take pride in our work and always do our best to make our clients feel like family!
When I’m not at the salon, I spend my time with my husband and two children. We live on a ranch and co-own a cattle business with his brother and my sister-in-law.
My husband and I love to Team Rope. Most weeks, we practice four to five days out of the week after work. It has become a passion we share. We love to compete on the weekends.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up the youngest of five children. My family and I are extremely close. I considered myself to have a good sense of humor. I can’t say that I’ve ever met a stranger, as they say. I love making people laugh. I started playing softball and basketball in elementary. I continued to compete in both junior high and high school in volleyball, basketball, softball… I also ran track and pole vaulted, but my first love has always been horses. You could say it runs in my blood. My dad was a cowboy and went to college on a Rodeo scholarship. Growing up, I jumped at any opportunity to be around my family that was working or hauling cattle. In junior high I ran barrels and poles. As I got older, I started roping calves. Now my husband and I team rope. To this day, my competitive nature has been a driving force behind pursuing my passions in life. Whatever I’ve lacked in talent, I make up for in effort. I’ve never been afraid to work hard for what I want. I love that I am driven to excel not just exist. God blesses us with one life, and I am making my dreams a reality.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbyelissafarmer/ https://instagram.com/bangadangs_hairsalon_spa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hairbyelissafarmer?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Simply Cate Photography
Catie Wilson
