Remember Who You Are

 

I know I’ve been talking about protecting your peace and dealing with imposter syndrome lately. These topics can sound super blase and cliche, more of an IDEA you understand, but may not be able to put a finger on in your daily life. Well, have I got a story for you.

I’ve been in the hair extension game for a while, and a stylist for decades. My salon turns 8 this month, and as I’ve continued my education, I’ve found that I want specific support in overall business culture, leadership, branding and marketing. But over the past several years,  I’ve been doing things MY way in these areas and I’ve built my vision, mission and brand into an authentic extension of who I am as a human.

Big deal, so what, right?  Well, I had a meeting with a stylist who wanted to work at my salon yesterday. She’s sweet, smart, driven, a little nerdy in the best way and she’s joined my little Strands tribe. I’m so excited. She shared with me how she found my salon: we were at the same women’s conference recently and she saw my business card in the bowl for the door prizes. (People often make fun of me for still using business cards, as well as for having one that is 4x6 inches!) 

She plucked my card out of that bowl and decided she had to work with me at my salon, and went on to google my info at her table that morning and asked others if they knew how to find me. It was a wildly entertaining and confidence boosting moment. So that is what I was thinking about while I was in the shower last night. 

Then as streams of thought often do, my mind wandered to what I still had to pack for my trip (today—I’m in the airport as we speak.) Then I thought how cool is it that I’m filming content with the CEO of Harper Ellis Hair Co. this weekend! Like so freaking cool!! 

Then I thought about how incredible that I have several female CEOs in my current social circle. It is so empowering to be part of a community of powerful, driven women. And then I thought, WOW—I’M A CEO!

Here’s where it gets twisty: I thought, YOU’RE NOT A REAL CEO BECAUSE IT’S JUST FOR THE COMPANY YOU BUILT.

I LITERALLY STOPPED.WASHING. MY. HAIR. AND SAID—GIRL, YOU NEED TO SAY THAT A LITTLE LOUDER.

I’M THE CEO OF THE COMPANY I BUILT. LITERALLY, BEAUTY BY LINDSAY, INC. EXISTS BECAUSE I CREATED IT. 

Ma’am, yes. You will have all of those up and down moments where you can’t tell which direction you’re going. You will swing from the most gratifying thoughts and successes to the depths of fear and anxiety and doubt—sometimes all at the same time. But you have to flip that switch really fast and always REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE.

That moment provided so much clarity for me…not just in who I am, but really in the ability to recognize where I am. I’m on the most powerful journey I can imagine. And you’re coming with me.

xx, linds