Meet Rebekah Pierce | Hair Stylist, Salon Owner & Risk Taker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebekah Pierce and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebekah, how do you think about risk?
I had been working as a stylist for many years and loved the freedom of expression I experienced through my guests. After a few years, while that was satisfying, I really wanted more. When it comes to risk taking, I had a little experience. Certainly, moving from Southern California to Georgia to start over was a risk and as I looked back, I visualized how that, and other events had turned out. I realized I could take a risk and while it was rocky on occasion I had learned to focus and pull through. The use of visualization has been a huge help to me when it comes to taking risks. I mean, you know what your life looks like now right? So how can you take the next step and make it even better? I visualize the 90-year-old me talking to the current me. What would she say? I want her to be able to tell me, “Wow, what a ride! Great job not settling for “good enough”!” Or maybe she would say “I am proud of you. You stuck your neck out and look at the difference you made in your life and possibly the lives of others.” So, when I consider taking a risk, I turn to her and listen for what I think she might say. Again, you know what your life looks like right now. You can always come back to this current level. But what if you take the risk! There will always be regrets to look back on no matter how hard we try. It is unavoidable! But one thing for me personally is when I visualize the 90-year-old me, I never want her to hear her say, “I wish you would have tried _____” This is a simplistic way of thinking about risks however Risk has a second name and that is Opportunity . When Risk/Opportunity presents itself, I look ahead and check in with the OG to see what she might say and then JUMP

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe I am in the best industry in the world! This industry of hair has been very good to me, and I strive to be good to it in return. The possibilities in it are endless. The hair industry in multifaceted: movie and entertainment, fantasy, hair replacement/wigs/extensions, elderly, resort salons, or everyday people are just a few of the avenues you can take with it. If someone is creative and has a love for people they can build a beautiful life with it, which is one of the many things I love about it. I opened my salon in 2010 during what is now called The Great Recession. A client of mine had developed Sweet Apple Village and was looking for a salon to open in it. Opening a salon or any business is a huge risk and in a down economy the risks can outweigh the rewards, but he offered me a chance to realize a dream. He passed away 2 years after I opened Salon Bellezza of Roswell and it wasn’t for another couple years of experience as a business owner that I fully understood the opportunity he gave me. I am eternally grateful to him for believing in me and helping me see what was possible. This same belief is what I try to pass forward to stylists who work in my salon. I believe in them and their ability to create beauty in others. Maintaining a positive company culture at Salon Bellezza of Roswell is key to our success. The job is not an easy one. People take their appearance seriously and rightly so. Because of this, the salon work atmosphere does not need to add stress to the stylists who work in it.

I never tire of helping others see their best self when they look in the mirror each day. It is a journey I consider a privilege to take with each of my guests and I appreciate the trust they place in me. Likewise I consider it a privilege to play a roll in a new stylist’s journey to realize their dreams and create a sustainable life for themselves

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monday: Walking Dead tour in ATL followed by late lunch at Whiskey Bird on N Highland Ave

Tuesday: Food tour of Inman Park and the Beltway

Wednesday: Ponce City Market..because who can’t spend the whole day there??

Thursday: Drive up to Dahlonega. Hangout/Shop on the square then over to Frogtown and Three Sisters wineries

Friday: Shopping at Avalon in Alpharetta and dinner with live music at Roaring Social 19

Saturday: The Battery in the afternoon then to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for a concert..summer

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could not have kept everything running especially in the early years of my salon without my husband, Eric’s, help and support. He over saw the construction as well as jumped in after opening to run the front desk and make sure all the bills were paid while I worked behind the chair and mentored the new stylists.

After 3 years Ashley came to work for me. I would have loved to have 100 more of her! Ashley brings positive energy and sunshine with her everywhere she goes. About 3 years ago I approached her with an offer to become a partner in the salon with me. She accepted my offer and as my husband stepped back into work of his own, Ashley has grown into the position of co-owner.

Website: www.SalonBellezzaofRoswell.com

Instagram: @salonbellezzaofroswell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salonbellezzaofroswell

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/salon-bellezza-of-roswell-roswell-2