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Leadership Never Ends

  • Writer: Angela Walker
    Angela Walker
  • Jun 23
  • 2 min read

By: Angela Walker


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“Be careful what you wish for.”


You’ve heard the saying, right? Well, it’s true.


For anyone looking to step from behind the chair, understand this - you’re not signing up for less work, you’re signing up for a lifetime commitment. Moving from behind the chair means stepping fully into a leadership role, and leadership is a job that never ends.


Some leaders are born, but most of us are made.



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We’re shaped by our experiences, our wins, our losses, and who we hope to become. When I first stepped away from the chair, I was overwhelmed by how much “time” I suddenly had. I didn’t know what to do with it, how to use it wisely, or most importantly, who to turn to for guidance.


I’ve always been a disciplined person, but disciplined when there’s a clear plan, a list of tasks, a defined end goal. The kind of autonomy that comes with stepping away from the chair. It was uncomfortable, and I imagine it will be for you too.


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Running a salon 100% from home requires discipline and a certain comfort with seclusion. You need to be content not only with your own company, but also with the absence of daily interaction. And while those two may sound like the same thing, trust me—they’re not.


What kept me grounded was reminding myself why I stepped away, which was to work on the business. Marketing is my niche, and I dove in headfirst finding ways to elevate our brand, attract new clients, and redesign our onboarding experience now that I had the capacity to answer phones and be present in that way.


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I survived this “sink or swim” transition, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. A better path is a thoughtful one: make a plan, and slowly ease away from the chair. This gives your clients time to adjust, and it gives you space to figure out how to use your new, non-styling hours with purpose.


But before any of that you need to get good (or at least decent) at hiring. And you’ll need to do it while still being a full-time stylist. Please hear me: hiring doesn’t lighten your load at first. It adds to it.


Training, coaching, and supporting your team through their wins and disappointments will test your time, your mind, and your heart. But if you hire well and lead well, those team members will stay, and they’ll help you elevate. You’ll step into a new season of leadership, where your job is to guide not just clients, but people.


Because that’s the truth: leadership never ends.


If you’re planning to step away from the chair, be ready to step into the business of developing people starting with yourself.


The Gist: Stepping away from the salon chair doesn't mean less work—it marks the beginning of a lifelong leadership journey. In this reflection, Angela shares how transitioning from stylist to full-time business leader requires discipline, intentional planning, and a deep commitment to guiding both your team and yourself. Leadership, she emphasizes, is not a destination but a continuous process of growth and service.


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