Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Bettencourt.
Hi Shelby, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew I wanted to work in a hair salon when I was eight years old, I loved the vibe of a salon. I thought it was so cool how women would come into this salon and leave feeling amazing. All of the stylists were pretty and everyone loved them, including me. I loved being at the salon and wanted to make women feel beautiful. At 14 I attended a vocational technical high school which is just a fancy way of saying a trade school.
I studied cosmetology and got my license to do hair at 17. I remember telling my boss at my first salon that I would work the day after prom because I didn’t want to take the day off and miss any clients. (That didn’t happen, I took the day off, lol). At 20, I was a booth renter and salon supervisor in my hometown and had a full clientele. I loved everything about the industry but knew I wanted something more. I decided at 21 to move to Miami. When people asked, I said “I have nothing to lose, I can do hair anywhere.” and I was right! I gained a full clientele 6 months after moving here and opened my own salon 4 years later. Truthfully, I never wanted to own a salon, but my experience in leadership and my need for building my own community led me to become a salon owner.
Today I am building a community to help other stylists find and reach their version of success in the season they are in. I am letting go of my salon so I can step into more community-building, coaching, and speaking opportunities in my industry as well as taking on clients. I love being a hairstylist, and I am honored I get the opportunity to do hair as well as be an industry leader.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth road would be a boring story, my road had all the bumps, twists, and turns that led me to be the leader that I am today. I believe that my struggles as a stylist, leader, salon owner, and coach only make me a better one.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a hairstylist, I specialize in Blondes and Brunettes. The color formulation is where I shine. I love taking brunettes and making them look a little more “expensive”. Not every brunette wants to be super blonde and I think the beauty of knowing how much lightness is enough is an acquired skill that not many stylists practice enough. To me, it’s so fun to add just a touch of lightness to areas that can enhance the person’s features, I love the challenge and artistry.
This is the same for blondes, not every blonde wants to be platinum, and it’s fun to find ways to create better harmony in the hair while keeping in mind the budget, lifestyle, hair condition, texture, and what they have going on already. It’s a puzzle that is satisfying when you see how happy they are after.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I don’t like to do funky/fantasy colors. Coming from someone who has bright pink hair, it sounds weird. The only reason why I didn’t want to color my hair pink was that I didn’t want any of my clients to ask me about it.
Not because I didn’t want them to “copy me” or whatever kiddish stuff that is. It was because I would rather do natural colors. Funky colors aren’t fun for me. Also, I love trimming hair. I don’t really like big chops, but a good trim to freshen up the shape and make it look healthy again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://campsite.bio/shelbybettencourt
- Instagram: @shelby.bettencourt
- Other: Healthy Wealthy Stylist
