Meet Madison Parker | Independent Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madison Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madison, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Life is full of risks and if I am being completely honest, I would not consider myself a risk taker. I do not like taking risks at all. I am a planner and a very calculated person, I need to know everything about something before I can do it. I need to have it planned out to a T and know I have cushion to fall back on. However, when it came to leaving my comfortable commission salon that I had work at for 5 years to start my own business I knew there was gonna be major risks involved. The risk of am I going to make it? Am I good enough? Are my clients going to follow me? Will I make enough to pay my bills? Am I even capable of running a business fully on my own? There were risks that were completely out of my control but, I knew that if i didn’t take this leap then i would never know what i am fully capable of doing and I would remain at the stand still i felt i was stuck at for years. So, even though I very much hate the unknown and taking risks, I do believe that we have this one life and to be able to venture forward and make the most of every moment you’re going to have to take many risks and sometimes you’re gonna fall flat on your face but, that’s not what matters. What matters is just how you pick yourself up and take the risk again.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Ash + Beige in May 2022, I had previously worked at a commission salon for 5 years and I knew from the beginning that I wanted to one day have my own salon business. It was definitely harder than I ever expected. I was terrified of taking such a massive jump and leaving a salon where I had clients everyday, a paycheck every other week, 401k benefits, and not to mention the most amazing co-workers a girl could ask for. But I was unhappy, I wanted to be in control of everything from what product I used to my work schedule to my service prices and I knew in order to have full control over my career I was going to have to leave. If it wasn’t for the massive amount of support and encouragement from my family and my boyfriend i would not be where I am today, almost a full year into owning my own business! So here I am the owner of Ash + Beige, I am a blonde and lived in color specialist, I love the feeling of bring someones hair dreams come to life and just seeing the confident grow in someones eyes when they are loving how they look! Hair is a safety blanket for a lot of people and all i strive to do is make people feel more beautiful than they ever have before. I feel like what sets me part from other stylist is that I try not to put my personal input in too much only where I feel it is most necessary. I really love for my client to have full say in what I do with their hair. I heard many of my clients say their pervious stylist wouldn’t let them do this or that with their hair and the way i look at it is, it isnt my hair. If they really really want something who am I to say no?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my top all time favorite places is Fortunata Winery in Aubrey. Now I know it can be a little out of the way depending on where you are in DFW but it is 100% worth it! They have the most amazing wine, pizza, charcuterie boards and atmosphere of anywhere i’ve ever been. Also the best house sangria I have ever had! I feel like downtown Dallas is just a obvious staple to explore and hang out around. From the historical building to the arts district there is just so much there to see and take in!
Hanging out at the Denton Square you’ve got record shops, a old bookstore, food trucks, bars, ice cream shop, and a thrift mall!

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?
I would dedicate my Shoutout to my wonderful parents Doug and Stacy and my amazing boyfriend Keith. These 3 people are the main ones who really gave me that finally push to start my own business. They had heard me talk relentlessly for years about how I wanted to be my own boss and if it wasn’t for them and their constant support I would still be at my pervious salon dreaming about the day I could finally feel confident enough to start my own salon. I would not be where I am or the woman I am today without them! I love them so much!

Instagram: @beautybymaddyk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083123779331&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: email: ashandbeige@gmail.com