In this episode, Sam Lackney, hairdresser and owner of The Rare Bird, shares her journey from high school cosmetology to salon ownership, shaped by curiosity, community, and hard-earned perspective. She opens up about the lessons that come from learning the business side early, navigating uncertainty, and building a salon culture that prioritizes people, sustainability, and long-term growth.
This conversation explores how artistry and accountability intersect, and why sustainable salons are built on clarity, care, and long-term thinking.
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Key Takeaways:
🔅 Growth isn’t linear – Sam’s path from high school cosmetology to salon ownership shows that careers are built through persistence, pivots, and staying open to learning at every stage.
🔅 Learn the business early – Understanding numbers, retention, and performance metrics early on helped Sam make smarter decisions long before ownership was on the table.
🔅 Creative voice needs the right environment – Moving into a salon suite allowed Sam to refine her style and confidence, proving that where you work deeply impacts how you grow.
🔅 Community creates momentum – Rare Bird Salon was built quickly, but not alone. Strong relationships and asking for help made ownership possible.
🔅 Culture is a daily practice – A supportive salon isn’t defined by values on paper, but by how people are treated, supported, and developed every day.
🔅 Financial planning is non-negotiable – Ownership requires clear budgeting, realistic expectations, and the discipline to plan beyond the creative side of the work.
🔅 Ask questions before you get stuck – Sam emphasizes that progress often comes from being willing to ask for guidance instead of trying to figure everything out alone.
🔅 Education keeps careers sustainable – Ongoing learning, professional development, and curiosity are what keep both stylists and salons relevant long-term.
RELATED LINKS
📸Follow Sam on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seesamcut/
📸Follow The Rare Bird on Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/therarebirdsalon/
👉Check out The Rare Bird's Linktr.ee for their website and events - https://linktr.ee/therarebirdsalon
The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.
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The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com
