We had the good fortune of connecting with Baylie Mitchell and Debra Snell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Baylie & Debra, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
We would have to say our end goal is to have created a salon that stylist enjoy working for. Being in a artistic profession the last thing we want is to go to a place that feels like a job. Stylists do not fit in a box, stylists need a salon filled with good vibes, have co-workers that are more like family and feel supported by their management and owners. We strive to provide all of these things to our staff, the things we did not necessarily have or feel when we were full time stylists. We hope to pass it on to someone who is as passionate about this industry and culture as we are when its our time too.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We own Lemongrass Salon University located in University Park Village in Fort Worth, TX. We are an Aveda Lifestyle salon. Our salon fully believes and lives by the Aveda Mission Statement. Our salon stands out from other salons because we try to offer our employees a place to build a career. We offer full benefits including health insurance, paid vacation time, continuing education and a flexible work schedule. Debra and I started with Aveda almost 14 years ago, we started at the bottom fresh out of hair school. It has defiantly not been easy to get where we are now. Lots of tears, questioning ourselves and wondering if being a hairstylist is really what we were meant to do. But, the good always out weighed the bad. November 7th, 2019 was our first day as business owners of Lemongrass Salon University. We purchased the salon from the previous owner that we had both worked for 10+ years. It was exciting, scary and we knew we had a adventure ahead of us. Little did we know that we would be facing a worldwide pandemic only a few months later. To say that Covid-19 has been a challenge is an understatement, but our support system is the best anyone could ask for. From our bankers, employees, family and the support we have for each other as business partners. We are getting back on a feet one day at a time and still learning how to make a business survive a pandemic.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Fort Worth has so much to offer, especially when it comes to history and good food! Let’s say we start their visit in the morning by grabbing a cup of joe at Avoca Coffee and then driving thru Fairmount Historic District and exploring swoon – worthy historic homes. Cant come to Texas without enjoying some good ole BBQ from Heim Barbecue. Defiantly have to go to The Stockyards, eat a chicken fried steak at Horseshoe Hill Café. Watch some bull-riding followed by two stepping on the dance floor at Billy Bob Texas. There is so much more to see and many more fabulous places to eat, Fort Worth Zoo – #1 in North America Bass Hall Sundance Square The Modern Clear Fork for shopping Fort Worth Water Gardens Fort Worth Botanical Gardens Inspiration Point to go hiking Fort Worth Water Gardens Fort Worth Botanical Gardens Ole South Pancake House Funky Town Donuts Rodeo Goat Fred’s Blue Mesa – Happy Hour Joe T Garcia’s

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We would have to say our success and where we are in life is due to the huge support system we have around us. Of course our husbands, who never doubt us, they are always there as our sound board and show us nothing but support. Our network is full of some pretty amazing people, our distributor Neill Corp., and our Salon Development Partner Laurie Panich.

Website: lemongrasssalon.com
Instagram: lemongrassuniversity_
Facebook: Lemongrass Salon University – Aveda

Image Credits
Quincey Conyers

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