Meet Andrea McCoy of AndreasHair4U Salon in Plano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea McCoy.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always wanted to be a hair stylist, but my parents wouldn’t hear of me not going to a 4-year college, so in 1987 I enrolled in North Texas State University (UNT now) for business. I spent two years and it just wasn’t for me. I had family in Columbus, OH and relocated from Denton, TX and began working in corporate America. I worked from receptions in 1987 to Marketing Manager in September 2007 via three states. After moving back to Dallas via Ft. Lauderdale, I was laid off from three marketing positions in five years, due to changing legislature separating pharmaceutical companies from continuing medical education. Which my career path had niched me into: both nursing and physicians. Being in my early 30’s with a mortgage, a car payment, no husband but just my beloved dog, Harley, it was time to decide what’s next.

My sister, Christy Jahn, reminded me how much I loved hair and I should go to cosmetology school. I replied, “I can’t afford to start over,” and she responded “you can’t afford not to start over.” So, the next day I toured three cosmetology schools and selected Paul Mitchell the School Dallas in January 2005. I worked full time (7:30am – 4:30pm) and went to class Monday-Friday (5pm – 10pm). I slept on the weekend and got a roommate to keep my dog company. I concluded my education ivia the honors program (0r Phase II) in July 2007. I received my Operator License in September 2007.

I put my resume out for dozens of apprenticeship programs, but alas no one wanted to hire a middle-aged woman who didn’t look like a supermodel in the Dallas area. Therefore, that first year was really rough, luckily, I had found the support of a good man. I worked in 4 salons in one year. I desperately needed an apprenticeship to continue my education. I was blessed to find a high-end salon in Plano, with a female owner/senior stylist with more than 25 years’ experience, who was willing to take me under her wing. For more than three years I called that salon home. However, when I wanted to expand my skill set to hair extensions, and smoothing treatment and other color techniques I received a clear “NO”.

Incredibly disappointed, I went home to my now husband and he suggested I open my own salon suite. With his support, it was the best decision I ever made. In March, I celebrated 6 years of being my own boss and running my own business. I completely focus on woman’s hair, I don’t double book so my client has my undivided attention and I don’t answer my cell when I am with a client. I am constantly taking continuing education classes and looking for new services to offer my clientele.

I am proud to call myself owner, woman’s hair stylist, woman’s colorist, corrective colorist, certified hair extensionist, certified in Global Keratin Smoothing Treatments and Olaplex user.

Great, 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?
It has not been a smooth road. If it wasn’t for the love and support of my husband, Bobby McCoy, I wouldn’t be a hair stylist. I wouldn’t afford to live and pay bills. I opened my own small suite salon in March 2011, Clients were not pre-booking. and I was going week to week praying to make rent. Then the business grew and I had female problems causing a partial hysterectomy in 2014. That down time caused the loss of several clients. I started rebuilding, got busier and opened an even larger suite. You’re always building, and on September 21, 2016 I was diagnosed with a chronic migraine. Four months and one week later, I was cured. Not from the 8 specialists or weekly nerve blocks or the infusions or the Botox or the three trips to the ER, but from a side effect of a drug. Being out of commission during the busiest time of the year (the holidays) has me almost back at square one. I have a lot of loyal and supportive clients but some had to bail and I understand. So approximately three months back, I begin again and have faith in my skills, talent and God.

AndreasHair4U Salon but legally Andrea L McCoy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The business is just me. I am a one woman show. According to my clients what sets me apart is my ability to listen to what they want and communicate in terms they can understand. For instance, do you want your highlights to whisper, talk or scream?

The health of my client’s hair is always my number one priority. If she wants something done that will damage her hair, I’ll explain why this is not a good idea and why I won’t do it.

I think what also sets me apart is when you’re in my chair you’re all I’m focused on. The phone goes on silent, clients know they can text me and I’ll get back to them when someone is processing, but I don’t answer the phone and I don’t double book. The only exception if for a complimentary bang trim for existing clients, which takes 5 minutes while a client’s color is processing.

I am known for woman’s hair cutting, coloring and styling. I specialize in corrective color. I am certified human hair extensions by Klix Hair Extensions. And, I am certified in Global Keratin Smoothing Treatments.

I’m constantly continuing my education and now I’m focused on Balayage. Two classes under my belt and mannequin heads and models in the works.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Succeeding in a second career that I love. I love what I do, I love the people I do it with and love who I do it for.

Pricing:

• Shampoo and Style (includes flat iron or curls) $ 30 and up
• Deep Conditioning Treatment $ 35 / $ 15 add on
• Deep Shine Treatment $ 35 / $ 15 add on
• Special Event Hair $ 60 and up
• Women’s Haircut $ 35 – $ 70
• Root Touch Up (roots only/single process) $ 75
• Color Roots to Ends (single process) $ 80 and up
• Highlights, Crown/Peek-a-boo 1 Color, 10 foils $ 70
• Highlights, Partial includes 2 colors $ 100
• Highlights, Full includes 2 colors $ 120
• Dimensional Color Techniques Available for an Additional Charge (Ombre, Bronding, Color Blocking)
• KLIX Hair Extensions, length and thickness $ 680 and up
• KLIX Hair Extensions, volume and thickness $ 550 and up
• Global Keratin Smoothing Treatment $250 includes shampoo and conditioner

Contact Info:

• Address: ANDREA L. MCCOY
  AndreasHair4U Salon
  Inside Parker Salon Suites
  2109 West Parker Road, Suite 99
  Room 3 (left hallway)
  Plano, TX 75023-7742
• Website: www.AndreasHair4U.com
• Phone: 972-310-8841 (texting preferred)
• Email: Andrea@AndreasHair4U.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreashair4u
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Andreas.Haiir4U
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/@andreashair4u
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/andreashair4u-salon-plano-2

Image Credit:
Andrea L. McCoy