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SEARCHOne might say Amanda Hair’s last name foretold her destiny.As early as high school, the entrepreneurial-minded Hair worked in retail, becoming a store manager before she could legally buy a beer. But as a client at the Bob Steele Salon in ...
Amanda Hair, owner of Bob Steele Salons in Atlanta, with her husband Michael and her daughter Mia Rose.
One might say Amanda Hair’s last name foretold her destiny.
As early as high school, the entrepreneurial-minded Hair worked in retail, becoming a store manager before she could legally buy a beer. But as a client at the Bob Steele Salon in Atlanta, Georgia, Hair was wooed by the warm, friendly vibe at the salon, and briefly considered becoming a stylist herself, just to have the chance to work in that atmosphere. Before she could enroll in cosmetology school, she discovered the salon had an opening for a personnel manager, and Hair applied and was hired.
Hair quickly became indispensable to the salon, and the salon’s owner Bob Steele offered her the opportunity to become a co-owner in 2004. Together, they expanded from one to three locations. And, in 2009, Hair took over as CEO of the salon business when Steele retired and she purchased his remaining shares in the company. The company has since expanded two of the three locations and opened a fourth.
Not one to be satisfied with the busy-ness of being a multi-location salon owner, Hair also sits as the chair for The 2 to 10 Project (2to10project.com), is a member of Vistage International (Vistage.com), as well as a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
As full as her professional life is though, Hair considers her time best spent with her husband, Michael, and her daughter, Mia Rose.
In this month’s Personal Compass, we take a close look at what makes this power woman tick:
What time is your alarm set?
6:30 a.m.
What’s for breakfast?
Coffee and a banana, with either a granola bar smeared with natural peanut butter or a Greek yogurt with honey and granola.
First item you cross off your list of things to do?
Get my 10-year old daughter ready for school.
What time do you go into the salons?
My home base is our Salon Support Center, where we house our call center and support team offices. On an office day, I shoot to be there at 10 a.m., after doing about an hour of prep work at home. On salon days, it depends on what is on my calendar—for example, team meetings or reviews.
What’s for lunch?
My faves are hummus with feta and olives on pita, a Greek salad or a JJBLT from Jimmy Johns.
Daily fitness ritual?
This is a constant challenge. I try to jog regularly, but am looking for an accountability buddy. Any takers?
Biggest waste of time?
When I travel to the salons, traffic. I recently moved our Salon Support Center 3.6 miles from my house and that has saved me 80 minutes a day on office days.
What do you love to do when slacking off is and option?
I love watching movies, baking and shopping with my daughter. During the summer, when she attends summer camp, my husband and I enjoy time together on a beach somewhere.
When do you get your best ideas?
In the shower. I think it’s the negative ions…similar to waves crashing at the beach.
Tell me something that would surprise me about you.
From 6th to 11th grades, I played the alto saxophone. In high school, I was in the marching band until my senior year.
Cat, dog or something else?
Dog, all the way. I have a little Jack Russell named Macy Mae who is seven months old.
Do you cook? What’s your favorite meal?
Yes, I cook often. On special occasions, I step into my southern roots and make fried chicken.
What time to you go to sleep?
11:11 p.m. with a wish.
What do you love about your life?
What’s not to love? Every day brings new challenges that keep me engaged. A new lesson. I’m in a constant state of learning.
What would you tell your 18-year-old self?
I’ve learned you don’t know what is possible until you see it for yourself. I had a big ‘aha’ in 2011 when we were invited to take part in the 2 to 10 Project. From their research study, I received a scorecard which compared my company’s performance to other multi-location salons, and what an eye opener! When you are aware of the possibilities, your goals become bigger.
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