Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathrine Trueblood
Hi Kathrine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was a little girl I was a natural born leader and entrepreneur. I remember making puzzle packets I would sell to the mail man at age 6, which on lead to cutting up old denim jeans and making purses out of them to sell to my friends as a teenager. I always had my hand in something to make money from early age. I loved the idea of financial independence. Not having to ask mom if I could purchase something was a huge flex! When it came time for graduating high school, I felt lost, as I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to own my own business. A passion of mine was psychology. I was always the listening ear for my friends and often the middle man “counselor” to them. I enjoyed being a problem solver and helping people through tough issues, so initially I thought I would go to college to become a psychologist. It was until my Mother (hair stylist) had the most brilliant idea that resonated with me. She said “instead of going to 9 years of school for being a counselor, why don’t you go to 9 months of school and do the same thing!” I questioned her. Her response was “try cosmetology school! Your clients sit in your chair and unload all their gossip, troubles and venting, and you’re there to listen and help give them good advice! It’s basically the same thing without the degree.” We both chuckled. Now, I know it is NOT the “same thing” but she had an incredible point! Why not have fun making someone feel beautiful while also giving them a therapy session.
So I did!
And on I went to become a cosmetologist. After graduating, I immediately set out on my own. I jumped right into owning my own business. I had a small suite in Fort Worth, built my clientele and took on a waitressing job to help cover my rent while I built.
Doing this really pushed me to market myself and on I grew!
To supplement my open appointment slots, I taught myself how to do lash extensions. This was in the infant stage of the now booming lash industry. So with that being said… I grew FAST! So much so, that I ended up putting hair on the back burner and lashing full time! I moved into a double suite, hired employees to take on the clients I no longer had availability for, and then before long I decided to open my own salon.
It was the biggest riskiest move of my life. I did this two years after Covid, in the midst of a recession and about to give birth to my youngest son! People thought I was nuts! But if I set my mind to something, I make it happen! It was a struggle those first two years as many and often most new businesses can attest too, but we have finally filled up our Salon with amazing artists and we are thriving! I love my girls and I am truly blessed to be where I’m at, with the ones I have beside me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
1. Starting a salon during a recession.
2. At first it was Finding like-minded women to make our team. But we overcame and we are blessed to have each other.
3. Starting a salon without debt and no bank loans. Realizing in the midst of it, how much money and work really went into starting up a salon! I converted an insurance office building into a salon. My advice if you’re doing it on your own is to set out to find a building that was already used for a salon purpose to cut costs of installing everything from scratch.
We’ve been impressed with The PIXXI Room, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For starters, our Salon is a girly dreamland that has so much character and aesthetic vibes! We have a boutique in the front with 4 hair stylists, a lash extension and Microblading technician, seasonal cocktails that make it fun for our clients to enjoy while they’re enjoying their services, and quarterly Events that are SO much fun!
The salon is unlike others because we like to host events to showcase other small business owners and give back to charity! We truly are a team and love incorporating others into our growth!
Any big plans?
The next big thing is growing our events and sharing it on a larger scale with DFW! Imagine a street festival with MORE vendors and local businesses, and coming together to raise money/awareness for those in need. It would be such an honor to be the face of the next big festival with an incredible cause!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/thepixxiroom
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/thepixxiroom
