Meet Trailblazer Kerry Parish-Campbell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Parish-Campbell.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Wow, this is quite the question!

I was born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, Growing up, I was incredibly drawn to fashion, makeup & hair, I mean, the UK is known for being right in the mix of fashion so everything that I was exposed to was always hot off of the presses & had an intensity that drew me in. I had a mountain of fashion magazine subscriptions at an early age & even at the age of ten had a boxed makeup subscription that would arrive monthly with makeup & tutorials (I had to beg my parents each month to pay the subscription, they were not always entirely happy about a ten year old being that fascinated with makeup, but they complied). I truly thought I was going to be a makeup artist, heading off to college to a combined course that covered aesthetics, makeup, hairdressing & wig making with the mindset that if I had an understanding of how professions connected to being a makeup artist it would give me an edge, & be more “well rounded” when working in the field. Additional tools in the tool belt as so to speak. During my college years, although I took to makeup artistry well, it was clear that hair came completely natural to me, & that didn’t escape the attention of my teachers also. During my third & final year, when my classes were more focused on aesthetics & makeup & not hairdressing I was offered a place in the Advanced Hairdressing course which I would be able to to take simultaneously with my current classes. I was the first person they had ever offered this position to & it was such an honour to be given. It was at that time that I realized that although I’m good at makeup, I would have to work so much harder to be where I wanted to be & that with hair, it came more naturally, it was easy. Coming out of college, I headed into the hairdressing field to work on those particular skill sets. Maybe, maybe if online existed & was up & running as it is now, I may have gone in a different direction, but it wasn’t & so I didn’t.

Fast forward a couple of years & I began to apply positions in salons that were far & away from the UK. I was nearly always too young, they usually were looking for stylists in their mid 20’s & here I am 21. I finally hit gold in 1994 with a position in Plano, TX at a salon called “Royal Hair Force”. I worked with other UK stylists, some of which had worked with some of the masters of UK hairdressing & as I went through the green card process (which is brutal btw & took seven years!) I worked on improving my skill set. That’s easily done when you take the time to observe others that are better than you, & ask them (& yourself) questions. It’s also here that I was introduced to Redken 5th Avenue & fell in love with a color line called Redken Shades EQ which later becomes instrumental in my career path. About the time I received my green card (finally!), I turned thirty & met my now husband, Charlie. I had truly thought that once I had served out my contractual obligation of working an additional year after receiving my GC I would be off to other adventures in the USA, like Chicago, Boston or NYC where I could work on my craft even more. Instead, I fell in love &, after four years of dating, settled down with Charlie first settling in Houston where he’s originally from & then moving back to the Plano area to pick up where I left off working with former colleagues & friends at Abbey Road Salon.

In 2009, I decided that my love affair with Redken had to have little more commitment & so I auditioned to become a Redken Artist, a brand ambassador, where I go out into the field & facilitate the Redken mantra to other salon professionals. Man, has it been a ride so far! I’ve made life long friends & have had the chance to work with industry greats such as Sam Villa, Kris Sorbie (swooning!) attending a special invite only legacy training with Chris Baran, Ruth Roche & Nicholas French. I’ve traveled up & down the country, & across every nook & cranny of Texas working with other amazing Redken Artists & salon professionals, changing careers & changing lives.

In 2012, as with many salons, there was some internal drama at Abbey Road that came along with a couple of bad hires & I decided it was time to exit. I won’t lie, it was a difficult decision & felt like a divorce from the people that I love & enjoyed working with, but none the less, it was undoubtedly time to go. I decided to park myself in a studio salon in Frisco, renting a studio space so that I could gather my thoughts & decide my next step. In hairdressing, if you move around too much it can look like you’re unstable, that you’re the problem, that you’re the drama & I wanted to protect myself & my hard work from that judgment. I settled in to my new digs knowing that I’d most likely only be there for two – three years, knowing that I would either open up my own salon or look for a salon culture that worked for both myself & my guests, I’m picky though & that might take time to figure out where the best “where next” would be.

As it would happen, I was approached about opening up a salon in late 2014/early 2015 as Abbey Road would possibly be closing & therefore the stylists that I did love working with would be looking for their next salon together & had wondered if I would like to take the helm. Looking at retail to rent was daunting especially in an “up” market as rent is premium in all of the ideal places. I discovered a unit in Frisco that would be willing to build to suit & so started the process of opening up the salon. Swish Salon is in the process of being born & the process took a longtime, as these things often do, & my former salon colleagues found a temporary spot, which by the time I was open in late 2015 became their permanent salon home. Well, crap.

Now, I have to rethink my salon plan entirely & although this came as devastating news, as is often the way better things come along. We are now growing, slowly but surely, a successful salon team with the help of Summit Salon Business Center which provides proven systems that work for salons to grow team members to become successful stylists behind the chair. I love being part of the Summit community, as they empower the stylist & the salon owner. It’s a win-win. I truly believe, you’re not a successful owner if you’re not helping others grow to their full potential & it goes back to that belief of, take care of your team members & they will, in turn, take care of your guests. I have some great full-time members & two of my former Abbey Road colleagues work with us on a part-time schedule every week, which has been a blessing in every way. We’re focused on education, & bringing the best of it to our stylists. Currently, Swish houses two Redken Artists who go out inspiring other salon professionals to “learn better, earn better, to live better” & we’re filling up our Swish Salon calendar with education events this year & already planning for next year. I have been given the honor of being picked to be support for the “New Hue, New Do” team at Redken Symposium in Vegas, January 2019, which is the largest single manufacturer education gathering of hairdressers in the world that happens every two years. It’s expected that there will be approximately 10,000 hairdressers attending!!

So, here we are, still a fledgling but gaining momentum every day, every week at Swish. We have a great time in the salon, no drama but a team where we support each other. It’s about our guests getting the best possible result for their hair & their beauty needs & feeling comfortable at Swish. We’re professional but relaxed, which doesn’t mean we’re casual at all, we’re simply not “stuck up” but friendly, everybody is welcome here & they should feel that the second they walk in the door.

Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, there’s been some level of struggle! Without it, can there truly be learning & growth? It’s not during the storm that I’m grateful for the learning, but always after & often sometimes much later, when the discomfort has subsided that I’m thankful for the course I’m on & what that particular struggle has led me through & to. I can name some big bumps that got me stuck for a while & then there’s some that are the minor kind of bumps, an “ouchie” that soon heals but a good little lesson came from it.

Not having my former colleagues at Abbey Road Salon follow me into Swish was devastating. Four stylists were due to join me full-time, one has still yet to confirm that he’s not going to join me… it’s been over two years… lol… it’s disappointing but it’s not about me, & so much about him.

I’ve been lied to & lied about. As an owner, a leader, you will encounter people that aren’t meant for your tribe for one reason or another. They’ll lie to you because it’s easier than taking ownership on their actions (or lack of) & they’ll lie about you because it’s easier than being accountable, or simply admitting “I wasn’t the right fit for them”.

A lesson I’ve learned from these experiences is that I should have trusted my instincts. I should have moved through the learning process quicker than I did. I dwelled on being “wronged” for far longer than I should have done. I also can’t be responsible for others behavior, that’s all theirs. What I am responsible for is how I respond to others. I’m a peaceful person, I can’t even wish my enemies harm, let alone do harm, it’s not who I am & I need to sleep at night. I’ve been in the position of having my kindness mistaken for weakness. The lesson there is to not let things slide, hold them accountable, deal with the trauma & move on.

For young women & actually all women I advise:

Find your tribe – find others that have the same moral & ethical compass as yourself, along with the same interests. These people will become your friends & when you fall down, they’ll be there to pick you back up, dust you off & set you back on your path with renewed determination. They’ll be the ones that celebrate your wins, however big or small they are they should all be celebrated.

Be strong, be brave, but don’t be a bitch. Being a strong woman doesn’t make you a bitch & being a bitch doesn’t mean that you’re strong. Don’t confuse the two, they are very different. Will you sometimes have to show your teeth? Maybe, but leave it as a tool in your tool belt that isn’t to be over used. If all you ever do is growl & snarl at people (especially other women), you’ll lose your power, everybody will avoid you & you’re really not accomplishing anything but being labeled a bitch. It’s a downward spiral, don’t fall for it.

Seek people who challenge you & your beliefs. You may not always agree with them, but you’ll learn a few things about people & yourself. They’ll push you to broader thinking, to discover things you didn’t know & honestly make you a better human being. Being open to other’s thoughts & feelings doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to yours & that they’re wrong for you, but maybe, just maybe they’ll give you insight that grows your mind, if not challenge yours & teach you to have compassion for others. Some of the best conversations I have shared came from those who think differently to me about everything from politics, religion, society in general. Hot topics I know, but when the conversation is respectful & the general consensus is discovery & understanding, there you’ll always find growth.

Be respectful – you can say almost anything you have to or need to say, it’s just all in the way it’s said. 🙂

Work hard, play hard & don’t forget to rest & look after your body. I’ve learned the hard way that I’ve neglected areas in my life that I’m now paying for. Take time for friendships that fill your cup, you never know when it’s your time to go, or theirs. I recently lost a favorite friend, one that I simply adore. I didn’t take her for granted per say, but I thought I’d have forever to be with her & I took that for granted.

How you treat others is a true reflection of yourself, remember that. I’m not unkind to people I don’t like, I just avoid them, but when I am around them, I’m always pleasant to them. If they’re a true jerk, it doesn’t pay for me to behave like one too. Be nice, be kind, & avoid them like the plague. I watch for how people treat the janitor, the wait staff, the bartender. It speaks volumes as to who they are & how they feel about themselves.

I have a saying that others seem to like, “don’t drink your own Kool Aid”. Nope, it’s not for you to drink. Meaning, don’t get too big for your boots & let that ego get out of control, you’ll become someone that nobody wants to be around or worse, they’re around you for all of the wrong reasons. Your Kool Aid is for others to drink, you can occasionally sip (hey, we all need a confidence boost sometimes) just don’t gulp it down.

Sometimes, it’s just not about you. Learn to let other’s shine. Their light doesn’t diminish yours. We can all shine bright my friends.

Forgive. Whether you need to forgive someone, or yourself, it’s for you, not them. The sooner you can move through forgiveness, the sooner that bitterness, & pain will leave you. Joy is found on the other side of forgiveness, I promise.

We’d love to hear more about Swish Salon.
Ohhhhh wow! Another great question!

I wear multiple hats, sometimes too many I fear. First & foremost I’m a stylist behind the chair, it’s what has led me to every opportunity I have had professionally. I specialize in design (cutting) & my blondes love me so. Which is really funny to me because I’m absolutely a brunette. Usually, blondes are attracted to blonde stylists because they feel they speak the same language, but I have a lot of blondes that sit in my chair. I’m really a solid all rounder, but those with bobs & lobs will seek me out, as will those looking to change things up. I have a great male clientele too. We’re in a heavy corporate area, & they like my consistency, being on time & a woman’s point of view (apparently). I’m known for changing things up. I get bored easily & whilst some of my guests love very little change, I generally encourage change. It puts a little spring in their step! Let’s tweak that color, that cut. It’s actually what our salon is becoming known for, we’re big time open to changing our guest’s look. We keep up with trends & adapt them for each guest as needed. We’re also known for teaching our guests how to achieve their new look at home. We’ll take the time to give you the best tips & tricks so that you get the most out of your investment!

We’re often complimented on how fresh & cheerful the salon is. We’re a friendly place, we like to laugh & we like to get the job done right which leads us to happy guests. I’m super proud of my team. Every single one of them brings something special to the table. We challenge each other, we learn from each other, we support each other. People notice that. We’re not in competition with each other at all. If one of us has a win, it’s a win for Swish. If Swish has a win, it’s a win for us all! I’m determined to build a strong, supportive culture that is professional, creative, & welcoming.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Woah!

Honestly, this isn’t going to the popular consensus but, women. We get in our own way. If a woman is popular, tear her down. If a woman is unpopular, tear her down. If she’s pretty, rip her to shreds. If she’s not so pretty, call her names. If she thinks differently politically, throw her under the bus & call her every name under the sun. A woman makes a good name for herself, well she must have slept her way to the top, or she’s a bitch.

I don’t get, I will never get it.

Until women support each other AND our differences, why in the world would anyone take us seriously? Women can blame it on men all they want & granted there are some neanderthals out there, but good Lord looks at the way we are treating each other.

Concerning my industry? Women think that men are the bee’s knees & are so much harder on female stylists. I used to work with a guy who told his guests that he had worked in the movies, they all assumed he had done hair & makeup for A-list superstars. Never once did they question him, not once. In reality, he held an umbrella to shade an unknown actor for not even a B-movie. Had it have been me or another female stylist, I would have been questioned: “what movie?” Did you do the hair, makeup or both?” “Who were the actors/actresses you worked with?” “When was the film made?” “Who produced it?” “Did it win an Oscar?” It amused me every single time he’d tell them “I’ve worked in films” “oh wow! That’s so cool & now you’re doing my hair!” they’d reply. Not one of them questioned him. More power to him, he didn’t lie to them or lead them astray. They chose not to inquire further. Insert eye roll…

Contact Info:

• Address: 8765 Stockard Drive
  STE 804
  Frisco, TX 75034
• Website: www.swishsalon.com
• Phone: 972-292-8127
• Email: hair@swishsalon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swishfrisco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swishsalon/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/swishsalon/

Image Credit:
Jodi Tertanni

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