Today we’d like to introduce you to Annika Grady.
Hi Annika, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Duluth Minnesota near UMD and Saint Scholastica, My mother was a school teacher,(now retired), and my dad is a barber who owned Cost Cutters in Duluth, Superior, Cloquet, Hibbing, and Virginia. Growing up, I didn’t know that I wanted to be. I looked at other jobs some of my relatives had had, and they didn’t spark any interest, mainly because it was more in the medical field and way to much schooling. I began thinking, “What could I so that everyone would need and always need?” I decided to pursue accounting.
I started taking classes at a trade school that doesn’t exist anymore for accounting. Unfortunately didn’t finish my accounting courses at that time because, with a young child and another one on the way, it seemed impassible for me to juggle everything.
When my youngest started school, I went back to school this time to WITC for cosmetology. My sister, who was a stylist, said, “It’s hard work and you’ll never make it.” Of course I had to prove her wrong. I started working for my dad at one of his shop in Cloquet as a receptionist part time. I moved into a full time stylist position once I finished and graduated cosmetology school. I worked there for 3 years. I left due to scheduling issues. One day my sister was going to Darlene’s (hairstylist, once Darlene’s Beauty Castle) to get her tab pierced and asked me to go along, When we got there I noticed a help wanted sign in the window. After my sister got her tab pieced I asked what position was open. I filled out an application, had an interview, and was hired as a stylist that was in March 2005.
I had been working for Darlene’s for about 16 years when Carolyn the owner decided to retire to be a full-time grandmother. That’s when Charlene, my best friend and co-worker, and I came up with a plan for me to become the owner of Darlene’s.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge for me was taking the first step. Running a business is a big gamble and I’m not a gambler. I had finished my accounting degree in 2016, so I had an understanding on how things ran behind the scenes. The second step was coming up with the money. That problem was solved thanks to two amazing, kind women who made that possible. The third was having the right stuff employed. Fortunately for me the Stylists wanted to stay.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Darlene’s Family Salon ?
I love being a stylist. Every day is a new opportunity to make someone’s day better. The shop offers not only regular services like haircuts, perms, color, and waxing; we have specialties in extensions, wigs and other thinning hair alternatives. We also help support our local schools at special events like the all night grade party. We also are associated with St, Lukes cancer center to help, mostly the women, deal with the lost of their hair because of chemo.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The lessons I’ve learned.. Finding the right career that fits you is fun and rewarding. Don’t quit, even if it seems impossible there is always an answer to the problem even if you don’t always like the answer. Life is not easy when you think you hit rock bottom use it as a bouncing board and bounce back up. Don’t live life with regrets, they are just lessons learned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Darlenesfamilysalon.com
- Facebook: Darlene’s. Love is in the Hair
- Yelp: Darlene’s Family Salon
