Meet Shannon Little

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

Hi Shannon, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process of starting my own business was I wanted to be available to my daughters, 4 and 9-months at the time. I was working in corporate America for several years in sales/marketing, and married at the time. My company was going through a merge and I was told I could re-interview for my position or take a severance. I decided to take this severance and begin this Journey. Growing up my mom‘s three sisters were Hairstylist, so I was around the business my entire childhood. I signed up with Paul Mitchell in Carrollton and it took me a year to get through the program. After I finished the program, I went to a salon and begged the owner to let me start an apprenticeship in his salon, I was 37 at the time so it was interesting starting over; starting over meaning shampooing hair sweeping, and folding towels. I had to start from the very bottom. I was able to take walk-in clients on Friday, and was so nervous it would take me 3 to 4 hours to do a full highlight. I began to get very discouraged and took on another position in sales, this time selling hair products to salons. During that time my friends were gracious enough to let me practice, and then my business started to grow from referrals. After a year that business picked up and we decided to take half of our garage, build a salon allowing me to manage the schedule with my two girls, my husband at the time traveled. I worked out of my home for a few years, which was amazing , I was able to take my girls to school, pick them up and get them to all their activities. After my divorce, we sold the home, I moved into a suite and have never looked back! My career has exceeded my expectations , and I have met so many amazing women, while having the flexibility to be available for my girls.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a hairstylist and living in Texas, raised in Louisiana, and myself being a blonde, I have managed to set myself apart by having a clientele made up of primarily 90% blondes. I am very proud when my clients tell me that I have perfected their blonde, this was not some thing I planned to specialize, it just came natural. I did have to overcome challenges, and still do to this day. I do love doing color and while in cosmetology school the instructor told me that I was going to be a color specialist. It never crossed my mind that 17 years later I would describe myself as a Blonde/Color Specialist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I do love when my friends and family come visit me from Louisiana. Some of our favorite places in the city would be The Star, Grandscape, Uptown. We would start with dinner at one of their favorites, Mi Cocina or one of the Italian restaurants. For after dinner drinks we might stop by Lincoln Prime Frisco, or The Rare Books Bar Frisco. We would go to brunch, First Watch, visit one of our favorite consignment stores, Labels Designer Consignment Boutique, Clothes Circuit. If live music were in the plans, we would go to Lava Cantina. For my sports friends, we would definitely check out a Stars game!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I want to recognize my aunts, Toni and Deborah. My mom passed away when I was in my 20s; these women have lifted me up and encouraged me through my entire journey. They continue to amaze me with their hard work and how they to have built their business for over 40 years as Stylist These two women, along with Rich, my ex-husband, encouraged me, and supported me from the beginning. I also want to give credit to my daughters, Grace, 24 and Ava, 19, without these two girls I would not have been lucky enough to take on this amazing career!

Instagram: @southern.roots.salon.frisco

Facebook: Southern Roots Salon

Image Credits
Make-up by Rachel Jackson Photos by Rachel and Taylor Jackson