Meet Bri Hight and Shandy Bowman | Custom Stylists & Owners

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bri Hight and Shandy Bowman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bri Hight and Shandy Bowman, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We wanted to be in control of our own destiny, We spent many years and countless hours working at the same ole’ beauty shop, feeling unmotivated and creatively stifled. We felt there was space in not only our industry but especially within Dallas to create a education based, modern salon, that emphasized personal and professional growth, and work life balance. We wanted to set a standard of quality that also nurtured the creative student in all of our stylists.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets us apart from others is our constant drive for knowledge and professional growth. We are lucky enough to have each other to help us stay motivated. We are most proud of the business we have built from the ground up, and the growth and changes 2020 is offering us. Our professional success has not come easy. We have definitely had lots of doors slammed in our face. I think the success has come from shear determination and being annoyingly persistent, We have had to learn how to practice and perfect being patient. Post COVID we were able to create a better work life balance. We had spent so many years putting emphasis on being behind the chair, we had nothing left in our tank. By scaling back, we have created more space to work on growing, branding, and planning for the future of our business. We want to to inspire other creatives to take charge of their careers, and not be scared of the numbers and business side the coin. It is certainly overwhelming to think of all the organization and numbers that go into running your own thing, But its totally doable!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Each neighborhood in Dallas is unique and has its own vibe. The perfect day would begin at LaLaLand kind cafe’s dog friendly patio, almond milk latte and avocado toast please! Next stop is Bishop Arts own unique boutique, Beatnik Fine Goods, for some retail therapy. Its owner Lindsey Munchrath, curates the perfect blend of modern gifts, clothes and jewelry. Before lunch we have to get our workout in! We are heading to East Dallas’ new gym hot spot, OFFBEAT, where owners Mark Willey and Bianca Caram know how get you moving with their boxing and spin classes . One of our favorite musts for lunch is Origin cafe, you can find the best farm to table healthy bites to power the rest of your busy day, good place for a Real Dallas Housewife spotting! We are finishing out the evening checking out some live Texas country music and the best burger in town at Adair’s Saloon. Other places to visit for a good time: Desert Racer, E Bar Tex Mex, Oasis Plant Shop, House of Preservation Spa, Favor the Kind, and last but not least White Rock Lake.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It is common in our industry for stylists to not want to give away their secrets. We want to thank all the amazing and giving educators we have met along our journey. Specifically Traci Sakosits, North American Creative Director of Vidal Sassoon.. As busy as she is she has always taken the time to “”share hair”, makes sure every one of your questions gets answered, and is a constant source of support and inspiration. Michelle Zeller, creative color specialist and educator. Michelle is a one of kind stylist to stylist educator. Never have we ever learned more, tips and tricks, in a color class! We fly all over the nation to have a few hours with her any chance we can. She is innovative in not only her technique but her social media and marketing skills are unrivaled.

Website: manesalondallas.com
Instagram: @mane.dallas