Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Stricker.
Hi Shannon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Stricker Cosmetology & Esthetics is newly named but is the Cosmetology Institute I graduated from in 2018 as an Esthetics student. My time in school I always dreamed of what I would do with the building and the programs if I could ever own it. I had known the previous owner for many many years- she made it look so easy.
I became licensed in March of 2019 and got my experience at Tres Dorais in Midland. Probably one of the best first jobs a newly licensed esthetician could obtain. I found out quickly I was in the right field. I love making people feel their best- and the relationships with clients can be so rewarding.
More importantly- I am a hardcore girl mom and the beginning of my career I was a single parent, sleeping on the floor at my daughters babysitters house while we saved money to get our first apartment.
I have four daughters, ages 2,4, 6, and 8. They all inspire me every single day.
We now have the cosmetology school and my spa, located in Saginaw (Lashes & Lipstick LLC) where I also work half of the week.
I enjoy my career, although teaching did not come naturally to me. The cosmetology school business is really wild- we are finally getting the hang of it and my director Donna is my right hand. This business has made me strong.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No! Gosh, I think some people view small business owners as very wealthy people. They see tuition prices and have an idea of what comes in but they don’t see what goes out.
Just this past summer I remember crying because I had to make what we had for groceries last and we burnt the chicken.
The state laws and rules can be extremely unclear and in the beginning of school ownership I had zero clue what I had gotten myself into- people were not nice hahaha
However now that we have overcome so much I don’t think I would be who I am or have what I have today if not for those struggles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Personally I specialize in lash extensions and anti-aging treatments for mature and discolored skin. I am mostly known for my lash extension skills & classes.
I am very proud of what I can handle today as a woman, a mother, a business owner, a proud pet owner 🙂
I’m a pre-med student, completing my associate RN Degree at Delta college, anxiously excited to complete my BSN at U of M Flint.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I put every dime I ever earned into both of my businesses. This was a huge risk/ but I just knew I would make it. I am actually not a risk taker at all but when it came to school, my careers, and coming to ownership it was like a feeling I couldn’t explain to anyone other than I just knew I had to do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.strickercosmetology.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1WKsKMzR39/?mibextid=wwXIfr
