We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 30 Over 30 contest, sponsored by Denman Brush.
Get to know Savannah Laney (@hairbyduhsavannah). She is a hairstylist and salon owner of Hive Hair Society in Lyman, SC.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Savannah Laney (SL): I’m oddly decent at archery
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
SL: I was an apprentice at a salon while in hair school.
BLP: What is your proudest achievement in the industry thus far?
SL: Opening my own salon right before COVID.
BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself just starting out in the industry, looking back on your whole career?
SL: Invest in advanced education from the start, worry about what you want to do in this industry instead of what other stylists say you should do and choose your family time over taking in more clients. You don’t get those years back with your babies.
BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend?
SL: Lived-in creative color
BLP: What is a valuable hair tip that you want to share with your fellow stylists (whether it’s a business tip or something related to styling/working with hair)?
SL: The relationships and trust you build with your guests means everything.
BLP: What inspires your work?
SL: Unique color combinations that make my brain happy and usually color creations I see within food or landscapes, but mostly just creating concepts with my guests that will suit them best.
BLP: What is something that keeps you passionate and motivated in the industry each day?
SL: I think everyone’s true answer with their job is going to be money to feed their family, but I stay motivated by how great it feels to make people look and feel beautiful.
BLP: What changes would you like to see the industry make in order to grow/change/evolve/be better than it was before?
SL: Influencer culture needs to be re-evaluated. I’m all for sharing tips, tricks and what not, but there’s a really toxic trend out there right now where people see the way they do hair as the ONLY way it should be done, and you’re canceled if you’re not fitting into that box. If your wallet is happy, your guests are happy and you are happy, it shouldn’t matter how you’re achieving results. Also, basic color or cutting education classes shouldn’t cost a mortgage payment.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
SL: Create a healthier work life balance while also expanding my business.
To see the full list of winners, read Beauty Launchpad's May/June issue.
