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

Hi LeAnn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to share my experience and be able to inspire, help those once like me.It is valuable and important to me to connect with people. I feed off good and positive energy , not just in the industry of beauty but the community as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
LeAnn Drake (@lele_stylez), is the owner of Luv’Le Style Salon, Luv’Le Style Hair Extensions, a Matrix Artistic Educator and is the CEO and Founder of Fusion Beauty and Barber Expo. LeAnn’s passion for the industry started very young and one of her visions was realized initially as a simple hair show which was in 2010 as a cosmetology student. In 2018, she launched what we now know as the Fusion Beauty and Barber Expo.

“Once I graduated from cosmetology school my passion for hair and the industry just kept growing.” It was important for the trajectory I wanted to go in to gain more business and industry knowledge. I was eager!”

LeAnn understood she was now a licensed professional, an artist. She knew she had the option to go in many directions within the industry. After becoming a stylist and then managing at many different salons for a while LeAnn decided to continue her education and become an instructor. Soon after, opening her own salon birthing Luv’Le Style Salon.

“I wanted to share my experience and be able to inspire, help those who were once like me.”

Because LeLe (LeAnn) never wanted to become complacent, LeLe would attend hair shows in the Chicago area and nationwide and begin to network. Always excited to see what’s new in the industry. Through networking, she was able to increase her visibility and started hosting and instructing in many cities throughout the Midwest and nationwide and is now a Matrix Artistic Educator. She’s been honored to even judge the NAHA last year, which she thoroughly loved.

“I’m just passionate about people knowing there is a whole world out there that is about beauty and hair. Being asked to speak at seminars about hair or to judge a show is an honor. I encourage industry professionals not to become complacent behind the chair, venture outside your comfort zone.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Kitchen and Cocktails, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Mistwood Golf Club, Top Golf, Indoor Sky Diving, Cooper’s Hawk

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green
Stacie Robert Jones she took me on as a young hair braider
Lisa Williams my right hand who always has my best interestat heart and seems to always knows what im thinking.

Website: www.luvlestyle.com

Instagram: lele_stylez

Twitter: @LuvLeStyleSalon

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

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