Meet Fawnne Harrell | Salon Owner/ Master Stylist/ Mentor

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

Hi Fawnne, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?

I was born in Charlotte, N.C. and raised in a two-parent home. My background and upbringing have some heavy southern roots including both Carolinas. My dad grew up in a small town in South Carolina with extended family from his mother’s side. Growing up in the Carolinas as a little girl and spending weekends attending Sunday church services with my family, helped instill in me a value system that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

During that time, I learned the importance of family and discovered a history of love for each other, hard work and perseverance. I also learned the importance of spending time with my family and how important it is to have a work – life balance. The balance of family time to running a small business is a huge challenge for me, even today. However, maintaining that connection with my family gives me the recharge, refresh option I need. Having their support, and guidance gives me the reason why to what I am doing. Using this time to share with them gives me that outlet to step away from the hustle and flow of my salon schedule with ease. I am thankful for my parent’s guidance on making it clear that family time is a priority. Just knowing that they will be there to support me is one of the keys that help me stay grounded in this industry.

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.

In my career I have taken tremendous risks, like the risk of opening my own salon. The salon with one shampoo bowl, one styling chair, and one station. Learning the lessons, learning how to think and plan strategically while risking it all to open a salon. At times it was difficult, saving all the sales from the shop and putting it completely back into the business. After many years of hard work and staying the course, recently I completed an upgrade of my second new successful salon. Through it all, I have learned how to leave the safe place, to adapt and pivot with the changing market forces so I can lead from the front with new ideas and bold intervention. At the end of the day, taking the risk was worth it all.

What sets me apart from others and I’m most proud of is that I looked forward to having my own business and helping the customers solve problems with their hair health. I wanted to offer customers a small salon setting, a salon that was customer service driven. I wanted it to be a place providing creative and unique hairstyling options, a place anyone could visit and feel welcome.
A location focused on healthy hair styles and training. A salon dedicated to educating young stylists by increasing their skill levels and helping them learn the business. This is why I developed the apprenticeship / mentoring program; an initiative intended to develop, advance and encourage young stylists to own their own businesses.

I want the world to know that I believe in pursuing your dreams and my journey is led by never giving up. I hope my story will encourage others to shoot for the stars.

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.
If my best friend comes in town for a week-long trip, first stop Town Center……..shopping and lunch at Town Center Virginia beach…….making sure we include drinks at Ruth’s Chris. Next day, we are headed to the ocean front for sun and fun, a day on the beach, bathing suits and sun hats with our feet in the sand. In the evening, we’re headed to Cinema Cafe for dinner and a movie. Day three, I’m thinking Spa Day massages, facials, pedicures, and an evening at home with Netflix, Wing King-Virginia Beach wings and fries. Day 4, we are heading to Williamsburg, VA for more shopping at the outlets and getting a hotel room to enjoy the rest of the evening. Day 5, we are headed to Busch Gardens, we must have our funnel cake, turkey legs and winning a teddy bear at the skeet ball booth. Good times, great food and lots of laughs

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 want to give a huge shout out to my immediate and extended family for their endless support in my career.

Website: www.salonnoa.org

Instagram: @salonnoa

Twitter: @salonnoa

Facebook: Salon Noa

Image Credits
Head Shot: photographer @chadflucas