Why I Almost Didn’t Start This Business
Quick Answer: Starting any business, especially as a hairdresser stepping into business education, comes with massive self-doubt. You'll question if you're good enough, if anyone will care, and if there's space for you. But your unique perspective matters, and your people are out there waiting for exactly what you have to offer.
Here’s My Story:
Last year on New Year's Eve, my husband and I were at home talking about what this upcoming year was going to look like. At that point, the salon was my only business, and I'd spent a lot of time developing education to teach my team. But I was feeling burned out.
If I'm being honest, I'd reached a point where my team seemed less engaged with learning from me. It felt like I'd exhausted what I had to offer them, they’d been with me for years and had heard it all! This felt frustrating because I knew the information was valuable and I still had this internal calling to teach it.
That's when I had a lightbulb moment: What if there are other hairdressers out there, beyond my team, who need this information? Maybe reaching further could be an extension of my original salon mission: helping women build successful, fulfilling behind-the-chair careers.
Yes. That felt like exactly what I was supposed to do next.
When Self Doubt Almost Stopped Me From Starting
But then, the self doubt hit.
The minute I started scrolling Instagram, I quickly decided there was no way I was good enough for this. Let's face it, there are hundreds of others out there already teaching, and they really look like they have their shit together. They have followers, great lighting, and look comfortable and professional.
As for me, my hair is perpetually frizzy, my Instagram feed was full of rescue dogs and I didn’t even own a selfie stick. And that was just the surface level stuff. The bigger issue? I had NO IDEA how to do any of the things I wanted to do.
I wanted to explain my pricing process simply without needing spreadsheets or complex math, but how? I wanted to turn it into an online course, but how? I'd need a website, but how do I make one? How do I reach people? How do I find an audience that wanted to learn alongside me? Where do I even start?
You can see exactly why I almost didn't start this business.
Why I Decided To Start My Hairdresser Education Business Anyway
I realized something important: this feeling was familiar. It was exactly how I felt when I opened my salon.
Back then, I had the same strong internal calling, followed immediately by self-doubt. Because did we really need another salon? I decided that yes, we did, because there wasn’t one built on my unique perspective and vision. So I went for it. It was very hard and took time, but eventually things started to come together.
So I took a lesson from my own playbook: did we really need another educator in this space? I decided that yes, we did.
So I went for it.
What Starting A Hairdresser Education Business Looks Like For Me
It’s been hard. I've had so many moments of frustration and self-doubt. I've cried while learning how to build my website. I created, recorded, and edited my Pricing Isn't Personal online course completely on my own. Just walking into my salon to record it felt like ripping off a bandaid.
But I've already learned so much. Things are coming together and it feels like my vision is coming to life.
And I think it's important to share these things. And I want to remind you that starting something new feels hard, and that is ok.
What I’ve Learned About Starting A Creative Business
In order to create, we have to believe that there is space for our unique perspective.
There are clients out there perfectly suited for you.
Mistakes are part of the process, and you have to pick yourself back up and keep trying.
Progress happens step-by-step, and yes it feels slow. But trust that in time your people will find you and value what you’ve created for them.
You are a creative, and your unique perspective matters. Your work deserves to be seen, and it's okay to show up imperfectly. The more you put yourself out there, the easier it becomes.
I hope my story is encouraging to you, and I hope you know that I'll always be here cheering you on.
If we're not yet connected on Instagram, reach out and send me a quick "hello" so I can make sure I'm following you and supporting your journey. You can find me @annyvandriel
P.S. Thanks for finding me and for being one of my ‘people’. I appreciate your support more than you know. It’s a reminder that there is always space for our unique perspectives. I’m so grateful that you are here 💛
About Anny VanDriel
Anny is a salon owner and hairdresser educator who has been teaching pricing strategy and business confidence since 2021. She developed a strategic pricing framework that allowed her to steadily increase her income over 10 years while maintaining client loyalty and reducing her working hours. Through her Pricing Isn't Personal course, she helps hairdressers create sustainable, profitable businesses rooted in self-trust.
Connect with Anny on Instagram @annyvandriel