Meet Princhelle Felton, aka Chelle the Barber. She’s an award-winning Master Barber, a Community Impact Award recipient, a brand ambassador, and a salon suite owner.
Her journey from barbershop with walk-ins to being in her own salon suite with full books is incredible!
Here are a few of the pointers she shared with me about having a suite and elevating her career.
Mr. Stateboard: How long have you been a Master Barber? Where did you start your career?
Chelle the Barber: I’ve been cutting for six years. I went to a barbershop first for two years before going into my suite.
Mr. SB: Did you go into the barbershop with plans of going out on your own?
CtB: Oh no. I was just thankful to be in a place where someone took me under their wing. I had never cut hair before barber school. This was all new to me.
Going to different barber expos and beauty conventions opened my eyes to try new things. Walk-in clients helped build my clientele and rapport with the community. I learned a lot. So, I liked having that blueprint to show me how to move around once I got my own place.
Mr. SB: What was the “why” that made you jump into your own private suite?
CtB: If you’re not the owner of the barbershop, someone else has control of the vision and the environment. I wanted to create that for my clients.
It was definitely a great opportunity to start in the barbershop, but to build my own brand and grow professionally, I needed to shift.
Mr. SB: How did you find your suite?
CtB: I knew an (independent) barber and I would shadow him and ask questions. The overall aesthetics, and being able to create your own vibe and create your own space intrigued me.
One day I drove by a Vivant Salon Suites sign. I called up there, filled out the application, put down a deposit, and boom.
Mr. SB: What did Vivant have that stood out to make you say, “This is the suite I want”?
CtB: Location and access! I need access 24/7. I have clients that will fly in and out at all hours. So I can’t be restricted with limited access.
The common lounge area for clients when they first walk in is amazing. The décor is very chic. The aesthetics are nice. Amenity-wise, Wi-Fi and the TV were provided. We have washers and dryers, so I don't have to worry about taking my towels home or paying for towel service. And we have a full kitchen.
Whatever needs to be handled at my salon suite, I can handle with it.
Mr. SB: You’re a licensed Master Barber in a field that’s heavily saturated with dudes. Do you feel any added pressure?
CtB: When I got into my own suite, it actually became a perk being a female barber. My women and kids’ clientele went crazy!
There are a number of women who suffer from alopecia, hair breakage, and other hair situations that need help right now in a comfortable, non-judging environment. Sometimes they come in my suite, take their hats off, and just exhale.
I was used to cutting in a room full of male barbers and clients but now, in my suite, [women clients] have that comfort.
Having the ability to openly speak with my clients in a private setting helps a bunch.
Mr. SB: What is the most nerve-wrecking part of opening your salon suite?
CtB: That I am my own marketing. If I don't post about me, If I don’t believe in me, who will? So, I think marketing myself is really my only point of nervousness.
Mr. SB: I love school education, but we both know you only learn so much and then you have to learn by doing. What are some shop things you had to learn on the fly?
CtB: Easy: Work-life balance. At the shop, I was trying to do everything. Sometimes I would go from 7 in the morning to 10 at night.
You have to set yourself up so you can have that balance. Schedule your clients so you can be out of your suite by a certain time. Book your people throughout the week so you don't have to stay so late.
At some point of going, going, going, my passion started turning. I was coming in like (sarcastically) “yay … I’m cutting another head.” And your clients can feel that. Then that becomes their experience, and I didn’t want that.
Mr. SB: What is something you would advise other professionals who are considering getting their own suite?
CtB: Set your boundaries! Business is business. Friends are friends. Be careful in those moments when crossing those boundaries. Your business is your business, and your prices are your prices. Stand on that!
And don’t overstimulate yourself because your clients will feel that. “Oh, she's rushing.” “She's tired.” “She gave half effort in my service.” You don’t want that.
Balance your schedule. Do not try to appease everybody. The “hey, can you squeeze me in?” or the “I don’t get off work until whatever time” clients are coming. Make sure your hours are your hours.
And last, don't ever get too comfortable with your client. I don't care if you’ve cut them for 10 years. Keep that detail as if they were a first-time client you’re trying to retain.
Mr. SB: You’ve brought up expos a couple of times. You know I love them for a variety of reasons. Why do you feel that it’s important to your success?
CtB: The moment you stop being teachable, your growth stops. I don't care how long you've been in the game or trophies and awards you have. The moment you feel you're too good to learn or be educated, I think that's when you fail yourself and you fail your brand.
My first time going to an industry event like that was at Be+Well, which was then called the International Beauty Show-New York. It made me change my dynamic of what services to bring to my clients.
I turned from “this is just a fade” into thinking that cutting, facials, and skincare all go hand in hand. The show helped me develop a better experience for my clients all around and helped me educate them like I was educated at the show.
Mr. SB: Is there anything else you would like to add or say to the beauty industry?
CtB: You never know how far relationships go in this industry. We all cross-network with each other, and it’s just amazing how doors open. You might know a person that could help me, or I might be able to help a person you know. Staying in touch with the community is key.
Thomas “Mr. Stateboard” James is an Air Force Intelligence veteran who became a dual licensed instructor in both Cosmetology and Barbering., and a continuing education trainer for industry instructors. He specializes in bridging the gap between teaching and learning for beauty and barber students. James is the author of The Blueprint: Your Shortcut to Passing the State Board Exam.