Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Valle.
Hi Kim, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My career in the beauty industry started sixteen years ago. I spent my entire childhood planning to go into nursing. After a short stint in college, I decided nursing school wasn’t for me. On a whim, I enrolled in cosmetology school because I knew I needed to do something until I figured out what my next step would be. I had always enjoyed styling my friends’ hair for dances, or cutting my barbie’s hair but never considered making it a career. Once in school, I fell in love with the beauty industry. I would say it was something that came naturally to me and I graduated from school knowing that I made the right decision. I worked part-time for several years but it wasn’t until after my divorce that I got serious about making hair more than just a hobby.
Going from a stay-at-home mom who worked one evening a week to needing to support myself and my two children overnight was terrifying. I equate my success in growing my business to focusing on building relationships with women in my community. I partnered with local businesses and set up “braid bar” events to meet potential clients. (Social media wasn’t used for marketing then!)
I have worked at various salons and spas over the years which has led me to where I am today. I think I took something from each of those experiences to help me to get a clear vision for what I wanted (and didn’t want) my future in the salon industry to look like.
Last year I opened a small boutique salon called Boldly Defined Beauty. I currently have three other stylists working with me. We like to think of ourselves as providing “laid back luxury services.” Our goal is to make sure every client feels welcome and comfortable when they walk through our door and feel confident and beautiful when they leave. It has been an amazing journey over the last year. I’m still learning, growing, and evolving as a business owner.
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?
Definitely not! I would say the journey of opening a salon has taught me a lot about myself. No road will ever be without its bumps and sometimes huge potholes but that is what shapes us into who we are. Opening a salon during Covid and dealing with shipping delays, restrictions and lockdowns has not been the easiest. We continue to struggle with supply chain issues and back ordered products but luckily our clients are understanding and patient.
I think one of the biggest struggles for me over the years has been the fact that I am a single mom. I have two amazing teenage sons that are very active. There are times I feel pulled in ten different directions and trying to find the balance of work and home will always be my biggest hurdle. With that being said, I hope my boys will grow up seeing me as a strong independent woman. I want them to know that if you work hard enough you will eventually land where you are meant to be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in hair color and hand-tied hair extensions. I fell in love with hand-tied extensions six years ago. I traveled to Arizona and worked with an extension company which then sparked my desire for more education to perfect my craft. Since then, I have trained in several different methods.
I think what excites me the most about working with this particular clientele is the ability to transform a client’s style. Boldly Defined Beauty Salon was born from the idea that a client should be able to “boldly define” his/her style through hair and makeup. We focus a lot on the consultation and communicating with our guests to figure out their personal style and goals. We always want to make sure that we are creating the best look for you. What will look best on your skin tone, with your eye color, face shape… there is a lot that goes into each appointment.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was incredibly shy. I remember in high school being told by a teacher that I should consider becoming a librarian because I was so quiet. (Haha!) I laugh now because I talk all day as part of my job. I think that speaks to the fact that we can always reinvent ourselves. Each day is a new day, a new opportunity to become better than we were the day before.
Contact Info:
- Email: boldlydefinedbeauty@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.boldlydefinedbeauty.com
- Instagram: @boldly_defined_beauty_salon
Image Credits
Heidi Drexler
