A few years ago, if you looked at Katelyn Corrado’s business from the outside, it looked like she had it all: owner of a gorgeous salon, a growing, happy salon team, a full-time clientele as an esthetician, a life outside the salon…but as we know from countless Disney movies, looks can be deceiving.
Because while everything was successful on the surface, she knew it wasn’t filling her cup.
Now after joining Thrivers Society in 2016, Katelyn has fully stepped away from client work into the role of full-time salon owner, created an absolutely thriving salon in Puyallup, WA, and shifted her business’s vision, mission, and culture (not to mention her own mindset) to be fully aligned.
And we were lucky enough to score a few minutes with her to ask her all about how she did it!
Hey Katelyn! We are so excited to talk with you. So take us back to what your business was like pre-2016 and Thrivers Society.
Before I joined Thrivers Society, I truly didn’t know what I didn’t know. Salon Ish was busy, I was working full time with clients in my treatment room, and attempting the balance of a growing team, creating policies and hiring as I went, and also having a life outside of the salon.
It has always been in my nature to go hard and enjoy work just as much as play, but the reality of what was happening then were team members that didn’t fit my vision, many elements of the day-to-day out of my control, and a business that I didn’t have a full grip on.
It was all working and successful but, without a doubt, not in the best way possible nor feeding my soul.
What made you decide to become a Thriver?
One of my stylists (Kimberly Kennedy, now a coach herself!) had joined Thrivers Society and within months of joining, she sat me down to give me her thoughts based on what she was learning and seeing from Britt and Thrivers. The conversation was about how things were going at Salon Ish, what potential she saw in me and the brand, and the missed opportunities she was seeing.
It was a pivotal point in my salon ownership; she not only was a stylist constantly leveling up but a part of the vibe I loved about what I was building.
After that impactful conversation with my stylist, I thought deeply about the business. I dug deep into what I wanted in Salon Ish and of course, what came really clear to me were the things I didn’t want.
It was a given that Thrivers Society would create more clarity for the future of Salon Ish.
What were the few few months like as a Thriver?
In the beginning of starting my journey in Thrivers Society, I focused on the key pieces of the business. I shifted the branding with the logo and the marketing, creating a more clean, versatile look.
In making these changes alone, it shook up the team. It started to create a divide in who felt like they belonged and who felt like there was a better fit for them elsewhere.
The Salon Ish culture has been rooted in community and teamwork from day one, but this shifted things in a really special way. I felt empowered as an owner, eliminating processes and people that didn’t feed the vision, and within the first year, I had a handbook outlining how we roll at Salon Ish.
Was it all wildly overwhelming? Yes. Was it worth it? Without a doubt. The magic didn’t come without really hard conversations, emotional challenges and fear of failure but the value in setting standards always prevails.
Was there a part of Thrivers Society that really changed things for you?
When I started Thrivers Society, the community that came with it was immediate magic. As a young, new salon owner, taking over a salon of independent hair stylists AS AN ESTHETICIAN, it was incredible to have a group to lean on. The Facebook group was and has continued to be very special to me because I can see questions, concerns and input from others in our industry.
Oftentimes, I was able to see things coming before it happened and soften situations with my team from topics in the group. The value of joining Thrivers was already there from the group alone.
How has your business changed since you became a Thriver?
Salon Ish has morphed so beautifully over the years. We have expanded in our space and our team from 15 #ishdolls to over 40! I have stepped back from taking clients completely to run the magic.
As I mentioned, I love work as much as I love everything else in life, so we have built an education space, The Platform by Salon Ish, in 2018. We recently expanded into an additional space to create The Sanctuary by Salon Ish during the shutdown to add massage and spa services and are in the midst of a full salon remodel now. It has been insane but it’s special.
How has your mindset changed since you joined Thrivers Society?
Once I had the standards and the vision of how I wanted to run my business and what I wanted Salon Ish to be known for in my community, my mindset shifted without a doubt. The way we interview, the conversations that I have with my team, and the management we have in place is all part of what makes Salon Ish kick ass.
My mindset used to be fairly private, not sharing the ideas brewing in my mind—now, not only do I share, I bring my team along with me. It has allowed me to let others in and in turn, #ishvibes are STRONG.
Do you have any advice for somebody considering joining Thrivers Society?
Just like any group in business, you get what you give, right? Be ready to be rocked, be ready to open the mind, and the necessary things you need will come.
If I hadn’t listened to that stylist that day, kept my guard up, and not received her message, I would be missing out on some really amazing shit. It’s worth it if you’re ready to receive it.
Katelyn, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! If you want to connect with Katelyn, you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, or her website!
Did her story just leave you full of the kick ass energy or what?! We’re feeling fully inspired to run out, chase our dreams, and make magic now, just like her.
