It’s been WAY too long since I’ve written a real blog post. I’ve been trying to keep up with Instagram, the best that I can, but feel like I’ve been failing miserably. I haven’t been writing, I haven’t been sharing, and I haven’t been able to enjoy this.
If you know me, you know that I am a hairstylist. I’ve been in the beauty business since 1998, doing hair since 2000. It’s my passion. I love the feeling I get when I make a client feel beautiful. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I hope to never stop doing hair.
I’ve been working for a salon owner since 1999. I’ve only ever worked at 3 places in 19 years. Back in December, I decided to leave the salon, to which I had devoted the last 7 years. It was a difficult decision, but I could no longer meet the demands of a busy salon. I was becoming more and more unhappy and felt that I no longer wanted to be at someone else’s mercy. I’m sure that decision disappointed some, and surprised others. I wanted to write my own story. I wanted to manage my own life.
When I made this change, I kept it under the radar. I was and still am under contract, in a strict non-compete. I wanted to honor those commitments, all while wanting to simplify my life and work only when it suited me. With 2 small children and a husband who travels, I couldn’t do much more than that. The few hours I wanted to work would have never been acceptable in the salon environment I’d been in.
I ventured into small business ownership. For anyone who has ever started their own business, you know the time and effort you put in, especially in the early days, just to get started. I’m learning as I go. I’m grateful for the people that have supported me in this process. My husband and children have been so wonderful. They’ve been patient with me and have all chipped in to help out with my new venture. I couldn’t have done any of this without my husband.
So this all brings me to why I haven’t been writing… I have been busy. I’ve been rewriting my life on every level. All this change is scary and uncomfortable, but I know its going to serve my family and I in the end.
Thanks for following along… there’ll be more to come.
XOXO,
Amanda
Gracious Moments Photography