Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1467303
84 indie stylist Volume 3 Issue 1 Felicia "Lici" Febo 2022 Barber Influencer of the Year Why do you love doing what you do? Having beautiful hair and looking great can have a huge impact on your overall mental health. When the hair isn't cared for, outgrown, or in a compromised state, it can lead to depression, loss of opportunity, and, in extreme cases, bullying. I love what I do because I am at the forefront of creating personalized looks for my guests, and I can also educate them on how to maintain their own style and look their best, leaving them feeling confident and happy. What we do behind the chair is much deeper than just a simple service—we impact lives. Where do you find inspiration? My inspiration comes from my surroundings. I pay attention to patterns on a surface that most won't even bother to notice. I love taking walks and absorbing the shapes of the trees or the horizon, and I look at colors and how they sit in relation to each other. Even when I hear music, I imagine the wave patterns, and it leads me to creating something beautiful. Most of the time when I'm feeling stressed, anxious, or low, I find inspiration in that. How do you avoid burnout? The key is time management, and you have to stay on top of that. For instance, every night at 11:00 p.m. my phone goes on sleep mode, which means it's silent until my wake-up time at 7:30 a.m. This guarantees at least 8 hours of sleep. I also set Sundays aside for family time. Mondays are my errand/chore days. Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m., I'm at the shop. Gym time is 7:30–9:00 p.m. And Saturdays I leave open to have my personal time. Without a set plan you could end up overworking yourself. What's your best tip for marketing on social media? Know your brand and what your core message is to your audience. Create a marketing calendar so you post consistently to keep your audience engaged. It's important for you to engage with your followers and other professionals in the industry and promote yourself as an active role model and professional in your market. Also post a variety of content like motivational quotes, action shots of you in your element, community events, some educational content, promos, etc. Your page should reflect you, so let your personality resonate with your content. And stay positive! Avoid rants and posting about personal problems— and never bash anyone on your social pages. What's one piece of advice you'd give to a new cosmetologist? You must understand your why and hold on to that. When you set goals, it gives you purpose; when you know your purpose, you can make the right choices that will lead you toward accomplishing your dreams. Ask yourself what the end game is, then break those down into smaller goals, and then take those goals and break them down even further. Seek mentors and learn the journey they took to become successful. Be a lifelong learner. Be patient and stay persistent because the road to greatness is a long one. Avoid toxic relationships and hold on to those who support you. Most importantly, never doubt yourself! Love yourself wholeheartedly and be your own star player. @lici_ladybarber