Finding Beauty and Balance as a New Mom with Meaghan Sheets
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Episode Summary
Meaghan Sheets, owner and lead hair and makeup artist of Lovely Bridal Beauty as well as the owner of Volume Beauty Studio in Spokane, WA, is on Project: Mom today and I fully believe that everyone needs to find a hairdresser like her! Meaghan has been an entrepreneur since the moment she graduated from hair school and has learned so much along the way – some of which she is sharing with us today. You’ll hear how she balances being a salon owner with motherhood and all of the other roles in her life. Throughout our conversation, Meaghan reminds us of the importance of community and I hope you can feel a sense of that by the end of the episode, too.
Topics Discussed:
How Meaghan found entrepreneurship via opening her own salon at 22 years old then pivoting across state lines
The advice that Meaghan has for the women trying to start out on their own
How Meaghan found balance as a business owner and a mom so she could be present in both places
The importance of community as a mom, especially in the first year of your baby’s life
How Meaghan is preparing herself for the arrival of her second baby, specifically in preparation for the more challenging sides of childbirth and being a new mom
Learning how to put yourself out there and gain new clients, especially if you’re choosing to do it in person
How Meaghan is staying authentically herself in the beauty industry with the rise of social media
About Meaghan:
Meaghan is the owner and lead hair and makeup artist of Lovely Bridal Beauty as well as the owner of Volume Beauty Studio in Spokane, WA. She has been a licensed cosmetologist for ten years and counting. Meaghan has lived in North Idaho with her wonderful husband, their daughter Lora, and a baby boy arriving this spring! She opened my first salon, Volume Beauty Studio, when she was 22 years old. She has grown it into a 3 chair salon where she has a team of incredible stylists. After spending 3 full summers of styling wedding hair & makeup, she created her bridal company. She wanted to create the same feeling of love and "hair-apy" that she provides behind the chair, and share that with her brides on their wedding day! She helps women to feel beautiful from the inside out and believes that beauty is so much more than just a perfectly styled head of hair or a face of pretty makeup. Beauty comes from within. Her goal as your hair & makeup artist is that after she’s done, you walk away with an air of confidence knowing that you are worthy, capable and absolutely lovely.
Connect with Meaghan:
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emily_gorrie:
Welcome to today's episode of the Project Mom Podcast Today, I'm chatting with Megan Sheets, She's a licensed cosmothologist, owner and lead Hara makeup artist of lovely bridal beauty. She's also owner of Volume Beauty studio, a salon in Spokane, Washington. Megan is a mom to her daughter Nora, and is currently pregnant with her son. Do this spring, So Megan welcome, Thank you for being here.
meaghan_sheets:
Thank you so much. I'm so honored to be on here with you.
emily_gorrie:
I'm so excited. I have to tell you, because since we started the conversation kind of back and forth on getting this scheduled, and kind of chatting a little bit about what it is we would talk about. I could just feel your energy and the excitement and the gratitude that you're bringing to the table and it really just reminds me why I'm doing this. So I'm grateful for you and your energy with this first and foremost, and I want to do this. It Not to validate not only to validate the feelings of women who are listening to this right to let them know that they're not alone in some of these experiences, but really to build a platform for women like myself and like you to share your story. So I'm really excited and I think maybe let's just start there with your journey. So how did you get into entrepreneurship? How did you start your first salon? I think you mentioned to me you were twenty two years old when you start This Like, how did that happen? How did walk us through this A little bit?
meaghan_sheets:
Oh my gosh. yeah, it's it's been a journey.
emily_gorrie:
Uh, uh,
meaghan_sheets:
I feel like the entrepreneurship in me that started at a really young age. Um, although there wasn't really anyone in my life who had owned businesses, I think it was just always around, kind of like. I knew that I wanted to be able to provide for myself something
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
something different. Um, I remember being, And like in middle school, I think, and my mom went to school for nails. My mom is the one who she has like the long, very extra extravagant nails.
emily_gorrie:
Uh,
meaghan_sheets:
And so
emily_gorrie:
huh,
meaghan_sheets:
she went to school for that, And so I was in middle school, So I was always the guinea pig. I was getting my hair done. I was getting my nails done. I was around all the salon
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
gossip And so I think that kind of strike accord and me, I was like, Oh yeah, like I want to do that, and I realized I could actually make money from it my senior year of high school when you had to do like your senior class project and try to find a career of like, Okay, This is how much you're going to make and whatever, And I
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
remember the median like income that you could make at the time. This was in two thousand twelve. I said that a hair cause could make like thirty thousand dollars a year, and I was like Yeah, right,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
like let's triple that like
emily_gorrie:
yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
there's got to be a way to triple that like there's got a be a way to That into six figures, seven figures. And so I just started doing more research, started asking people, and it almost became like a determination. Like I'm here to prove people wrong. I'm going
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
to start a business and prove people wrong. I think that's where it started. So I went to beauty school straight out of high school, graduated when I was eighteen
emily_gorrie:
Yeah.
meaghan_sheets:
and then just started that journey. I found a job on Craig's list in Texas, of all places, After I graduated beauty school, and the owner of the salon that I worked at in Texas, he happened to own like half of the hand R blocks in the country, while also owning like three or four salons. And
emily_gorrie:
Wow.
meaghan_sheets:
so he was a huge pivotal role in my entrepreneurship journey because he taught me so much about business in marketing and branding, and what it looks like to be a business owner. The back end so yeah,
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
he gets some praise for sure.
emily_gorrie:
I love that. I think so you currently live in Idaho.
meaghan_sheets:
Yep.
emily_gorrie:
Your salon is in Washington. The where did you go to beauty school? Where you still in Washington at the time and you chose to move to Texas post
meaghan_sheets:
Yep.
emily_gorrie:
graduation.
meaghan_sheets:
Yep. So I went to a beauty school at Glendow Academy in Spokane, Washington.
emily_gorrie:
Okay,
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
I love that kind of inspirational jump. This like willing to just take the next step regardless of what that looks like. So maybe I just walk us through a little bit on. Kind of how you knew. I mean, going from Washington to Texas is not a minor change right in your life. Like did you have any sort of support group or system in Texas, or was this something that you are building as you were going?
meaghan_sheets:
So I just really wanted sunshine. That was my only
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
motivator. I was thinking about California. It was too expensive. I was thinking about Florida as too far away. And so I kind of just landed on Texas, Literally on Craig's list. I was like, Oh, maybe there's some jobs here and just started applying. Um, and I was living with my grandpa at the time because he lived on the South Hill, so it was a lot easier of commute to beauty school
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
And my grandpa is the one who set me up. I was like Hey, I really want some sunshine. I want to do something really cool and I think I'm going to move to Texas, and he was like, Whoahowhoa, You're eighteen years old. I don't think you should move to Texas by yourself. He was like you need a job. You need an apartment. He was like you can't just move to Texas. He was
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
like you have to have things set up. And so he helped me with everything. My grandpa drove you Hall. Right behind me I drove my car R, and he followed me down to Texas. got me moved in and totally supported my dreams. Of you know,
emily_gorrie:
I
meaghan_sheets:
just
emily_gorrie:
love
meaghan_sheets:
being
emily_gorrie:
that.
meaghan_sheets:
this big famous hairdresser that I originally thought I was going to be, And you know that journey has shifted. That
emily_gorrie:
Yeah.
meaghan_sheets:
kind of those things that I wanted to do have shifted a little bit, but that spirit of wanting to do something really amazing is always there,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, First of all, I just love that anecdote about your grandpa because that is like so darling. I love that so much. I just feel the love as you're sharing that story, like just the support, like the unwavering commitment to just helping you find this next step. and I think you high lighted it to write in that last part right here of Like the dreams have changed, but the spirit has stayed the same, so the kind of notion of Pivoting is so crucial, right of not holding on to tight to something as it's supposed to exist in your mind, but to take it one step at a time and kind of see where the journey takes you. So I love that, so maybe walk is a little bit through you get to Texas. You're you know, working closely with a salon owner who has given you like inspiration. tips. background guidance. You know, at what point How many years were doing that And at what point did you decide going home was the the next best move for you.
meaghan_sheets:
So I thought I would eventually end up doing like really big, beautiful, like beauty pageant hair in like Dallas or something,
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
and I had been living in Texas for about six months, and then I flew back home just to visit friends and family. It was my birthday and I actually met my husband on a plane on that on that flight And
emily_gorrie:
Wow, how serandipitous,
meaghan_sheets:
yeah, and so really, You know, the decision to move back was really because I had met this incredible human and I wanted to be part of his family and I wanted to you know, kind of see where that was going to take us. So yeah, I'd only been living in Texas for six months and this is going to sound so crazy for anybody who's listening who doesn't actually know me. But my husband actually moved in with me after only meeting him twice. So my husband
emily_gorrie:
Okay,
meaghan_sheets:
lived Me in Texas. He had just gotten out of the military and so he didn't really have anywhere to go, And so
emily_gorrie:
Hm,
meaghan_sheets:
he moved in with me. He got a job at a gun range right across the street from my salon, and we had one car, and we, just for six months, we lived in Texas. So I was only in Texas for a total of a year.
emily_gorrie:
Okay,
meaghan_sheets:
I thought for sure I was going to be living there for years Like I thought I was going to make this my home. Um, and he's from Estan Idaho, And so we decided right, kind of around Christmas time that we were going to move back to the Pacific Northwest and see what happens from there.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, I, I love that kind of trust in the process, Right this? Had you have this big grandiose plan and the larger pull at play right, decided to show you that there is another path for you which is really beautiful When you think about it right, and you have your eyes open and your ears open, and you're paying attention and you're seeing what's available to you in the opportunities. So How maybe share a little bit about Um, kind of your husband's your now husband's role in kind of pursuing this, this passion of kind of proving people wrong in the salon industry right, being able to actually make you know Triple quadruple. the kind of base salary that's being you know, promoted for this industry, So I mean, talk to us a little bit about him and how he was a part of that support team for you, And Um, did you always feel that this was the path that you should continue to take?
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah, so when we had decided to move back to the Pacific Northwest, we actually moved back in with my grandpa and we lived in his basement, and which was like a full apartment Basically, And
emily_gorrie:
M?
meaghan_sheets:
so we lived
emily_gorrie:
hm,
meaghan_sheets:
with him and we were both just trying to get jobs Because we're like Okay, We need jobs. We need money. We need to be able to move out on our own, And I was only nineteen at the time, so super young and I was just going to try to At a job at May be like I don't know Great clip, super cuts. whatever, just trying to get a job
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
And my husband was really the one who was like. No, like that's not. That's not who you are. That's not what you want to do. He was like your way to you, have way too big of dreams to just be behind the chair. He was like, Let's try to find something. And so I just kind of asked around and I landed an interview at a salon that was like An. They basically really prided themselves on education. And so
emily_gorrie:
M,
meaghan_sheets:
I got this job and it went from. You know, when I was living in Texas and working there, I was getting paid really well. I was, you know, working alongside this really great business owner, I was doing really well and so then when I moved back to Spoken, I had to start that journey all over again and I had to be an apprentice, which meant I was
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
barely making minimum wage barely,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and that was really hard to step down a few level S and
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
really humble myself and allow myself to receive the education that was being placed in front of me. Um, Because that was that was definitely a challenge. I felt like everyone around me was starting these careers and they were starting to make money, and I felt I kind of felt like I was comparing myself in a way to at that season, which is so harmful.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
My husband was always very encouraging and he was like It's okay. You're going to be good. He was like. this is a really good thing for you and ended up being incredible. So I worked at that salon for two years. I traveled all over with the salon. We got to go to really cool hair shows. I got to help teach up beauty schools. I got to receive one on one really incredible education. It was awesome is a really great experience And I had always told them from the beginning I was like Hey, I want to have my own salon
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
And so I ended up working at that salon for two years, and then I opened my own salon.
emily_gorrie:
That's amazing. That's amazing.
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
I want to. I want to definitely dive into that, but I'd love to just touch a little bit on the kind of mental state that you are in. You talk. You just highlight it a little bit in terms of just the challenge of having to in a world that really prides itself on progress and productivity and moving forward. right. This comparison game is really detrimental. Right if we are constantly comparing ourself To what our peers are doing or what we should be doing, or what we think we should be doing, Because it's you know, but the industry dictates or what? not right. I think I'd love if you could talk a little bit about, maybe just a little bit more in terms of how you supported yourself through that or like, what was? What's the biggest piece of advice? You take away our biggest lesson and biggest piece of advice you can share. Just from that time of you know, having to do things differently or on this own That you have to carve for yourself like I, you know, to that woman who's listening, who's looking to start out on her own Like, what do you? What advice do you have for her?
meaghan_sheets:
Absolutely. I think you definitely hit it right on the head. of. you know, I think culture and society tries to tell us that we always have to making progress. We have to be busy. we have to be moving forward, but over the years I've learned that Ress, and kind of Kcoming, back to the beginning is so important for our progress, And so
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
yeah, at that time I had to keep reminding myself like I am only night. I'm only twenty. I'm only twenty one at that time, and but I felt like this pressure to have to prove to every one that
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
I'm going to be young and successful, not just successful. I wanted to be young and successful and I found myself like wearing myself so thin, trying to be everything and
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
do everything all at once. It was hard. it was super hard, but I, My best piece of advice for anyone listening. who's in that season is to just take a deep breath and rest. It's okay.
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
Like everything that is for you will be for you. It will land exactly where it needs to. Opportunities will fall, and it's just up to you if you want to take them, but you have to be ready for it mentally spiritually physically, and
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
if you Running yourself ragged, trying to be everything and do everything, those opportunities aren't going to be as available. I feel like.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, I love that. I love that too, because I, as you're talking, it's like kind of flashing across my mind of like, We're also just not going to see the opportunities right, because we're going to be moving so fast that even if they're there, we're not going to necessarily be able to grab them, And I think that really parallels beautifully to like the season of motherhood to of women who are not necessarily eighteen, nineteen twenty, starting to build out, but are perhaps in their late twenty, Even thirties, right who have gone through this period of mothering their children and being there for them, and then having this like internal desire to do more for themselves in a different season of life, and I think there's a lot of worry and I know for me personally, I left a corporate job a couple of years ago because I had this desire to do my own thing, But it was before my daughter was born and then my daughter was born. I was like, Oh My God, I've ruined any chance I had at being in a successful career
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
Which
meaghan_sheets:
being
emily_gorrie:
I know is
meaghan_sheets:
a mom
emily_gorrie:
not true.
meaghan_sheets:
changes everything.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, which I know is not true. So right, but there's like these irrational thoughts of it has to only go a certain way for it to be Productive enough for successful enough to know, and there's all those narratives, so I really appreciate you kind of sharing your experience with that, because it's not uncommon for for us to all feel that, and perhaps we dive into your motherhood journey. So at what point so you started your salon? I would love to talk a little bit into that. to, um, kind of how you supported yourself through that growth. But where did your daughter come into the picture? In this whole scheme of things? How many years did you have your salon at that point?
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah, So I started my salon when I was twenty two. I had just gotten married, so I mean, my husband always joked that things come in threes for us, So we got married, opened a salon and bought a new car all
emily_gorrie:
Love
meaghan_sheets:
within
emily_gorrie:
it.
meaghan_sheets:
like two months.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah?
meaghan_sheets:
Very short time span.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
Um, and I had that space for about two years, and then I expanded and again kind of touching on. like opportunities come. when your rest. I. an opportunity fell into my lap to take over this salon and I didn't really have anything saved up yet, And so again my grandpa stepped in. I was like Hey Grandpa. this opportunity came up. Can I have some money?
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
And so he did. He gave me some money to start this larger space and I've had that for four years now, and my daughter is now one and a half. M. So she came into Play when I had had my salon for maybe five is six years is somewhere in that
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
range. Um, and yeah, she changed everything
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
everything.
emily_gorrie:
hm,
meaghan_sheets:
It's It's amazing
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and I think
emily_gorrie:
yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
that perspective that we were kind of talking about earlier of being able to look back and realize like, Oh, my gosh, I was so busy that perspect
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
Didn't come until I became a mom. You
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
know, I always was so busy running around doing this, and you know, hanging out with friends and trying to do everything, and once I had my daughter, I realized that I didn't have the mental or physical capacity to do all of that any more, and so I had to figure out a way to kind of step back a little bit and be present with her while also still trying to build Dreams that have been on my heart my entire life. And
emily_gorrie:
Absolutely
meaghan_sheets:
it's a. It's a balance like there's been lots of tears. Lots o. lots of you know, kind of
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
wrestling with those thoughts of Okay, How do I be a business owner and a mom? Like, Because
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
you don't always see it happening super successfully. You always see.
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
I felt like. In my experience anyways, I saw moms that were Super stressed out, worried anxious all the time, and I just knew that I wanted things to be different for my family.
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
I wanted something softer and gentler and I had no idea how to do that.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, I love that you highlighted that because I think there is this misconception that to be a successful woman you do have to be hustling all the time or constantly moving, because your something to everyone in every moment, right to your business to your kids, to your partner to the household, et cetera Right as we can probably find a longer list than that, You know. There's that misconception that you have to be all of those things. What did you? What did you learn during that period? Like how are you? How are you supporting yourself and finding that softness and finding that balance and not actually buying into that rat race?
meaghan_sheets:
I think honestly, it came from the women that I was surrounded by. I had
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
thankfully had some really great friends in my life and I had finally shared like, Hey, I'm kind of struggling here. I'm struggling to see the balance between this. How do I do this? And as soon as I had shared that I was struggling with that, so many women were like, Oh, yeah, Me too. it's like. Oh,
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
Okay. So it's not just me. We're all in this together and I've realized like Okay, I have to talk about it and I'm in a really unique position being a hair stalls where I'm behind the chair. I'm working one on one with all kinds of women all day long, and so
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
I get the advantage of having all these different perspectives And so once I started bringing up that conversation of like, Hey, I'm a mom, but I'm also this. How do I emerge those? Then it was like the flood gate Open of these really incredible conversations of all of these women and all of these different stories, And it was like I just got entered into the coolest club ever
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
Like it was so cool and I still continue to do that, But there was also a time where you know I was freshly post part and my husband had gone back to work and it's hard as a mom. It's
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
hard to post part. M Stages So difficult and there was a moment where I was like, Maybe I'm not meant to be a business owner, any more like because I was struggling
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
to see the balance, because I didn't have those friendships and those relationships surrounding me as often as I did before, and
emily_gorrie:
Hm,
meaghan_sheets:
so I didn't have those wise words of wisdom rounding me, And so I let these negative thoughts come into my head and I was like Oh my gosh, I can't do this. I don't want to do this. I can't do both.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and as soon
emily_gorrie:
wow,
meaghan_sheets:
as I had spoke those words to a friend, she was like, What are you talking about? That's not you like. Let's real it back in. She's like, If you really are thinking that like I will support you, But I know you and I know that that's not who you are. And so let's I'm going to help you find
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
that balance And I'm so grateful that she had said those words to me, because now she's about to become a mom The first time and I'm like, Oh girl, I've got you. I cannot
emily_gorrie:
Yeah.
meaghan_sheets:
wait like
emily_gorrie:
I love that I have goose bums. Actually just sharing that because I think there's something so powerful in just shedding light on things that feel so real in the dark. If that makes sense right, it's like we're in our own heads, And I mean, I personally experienced this and I've shared this before. Previous episodes. like the first year of my daughter's life was so hard. I now I see now the Kind of level of challenges I was having was probably clinical in some way like there was probably some level of depression that didn't get diagnosed, but it was a lot of it due to those thoughts right in my own head of. Well, if this is hard, how do I even plan on adding something else to my plate like this? Is this? is it? I'm just going to succome to this, and at the time this was motherhood, just motherhood being a stay at home, mom with my daughter. On The more I started talking about it and sharing some of those really terrifying thoughts of perhaps I can't do both, Or why is this part so hard? Did it? I wouldn't say, get easier. but it felt less of something for me to hold by myself right and I was able to find like you are some friends who just knew me so well. To say it's okay to not be okay. Let's start talking Bout this and let's see how we can get you the support that you need to start to do both. Um, so I love that you share that and you're able to kind of look back on that fondly and have that kind of excitement for your friend as she starts to go through that To M. It's just so hard at times, so just appreciate you sharing that because it's like I think we all have these thoughts, but we don't always say them out loud.
meaghan_sheets:
Absolutely, and it makes us isolate even more. you know, like
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
we have. These negative thoughts were like. Oh, I don't know if anyone else is feeling that way. So and I don't want to share it. Because what if I'm alone in these thoughts and
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
then as soon as you do share it, it's like No, we're all in this together. you know. Like motherhood. I've learned it truly is like the coolest club like you're just Automatically
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
entered. Like here you go free admission.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
But
emily_gorrie:
I think
meaghan_sheets:
yeah,
emily_gorrie:
too, and I love your opinion on this because I, I mean, you had mentioned it a little bit right. Once you were kind of balancing the two motherhood in business. The connections weren't the same as just the you know, the ability to connect and be out on your own and see your friends, and all that kind of prior to your daughter's birth, like I am curious. Your perspective on how do we build our Motherhood community like our, or you know, Is it being vulnerable and putting ourselves out there? Is it joining groups like? how have you built that community for yourself in motherhood?
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah, so thankfully, I did have some really great friends before having my daughter. Um,
emily_gorrie:
Hm,
meaghan_sheets:
and I was one of the first friends to get married and then one of the first friends to have babies, And so it did. It was kind of hard feeling a little bit alone in that. Um, but now that I'm in this current season, I'm about to have my second baby and I'm
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
living in North Idaho, which isn't that far away from Spoke, and it's about twenty five thirty minute drive, but it's far enough away from my friends to where they can't just stop by on their way to
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
work or on their way home from the gym or whatever like. It's just not that quick interaction any more.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and so I have had to put a lot more effort into my solid friends, but I'm all So with other women. In that current season of I'm trying to find new mom friends as well like. it's hard to build that community because you just don't have as much time and as much energy to pour into other women.
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
Um, and it's It's definitely a challenge. I am in the thick of it as well, And so I'm still learning And
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
you know I actually was at the library With my daughter a few weeks ago and I met this mom and our daughters were about the same age and I just was like Hey, can I have your phone number like our daughter is at the same age? I don't know. You're pretty cool.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
Like Can I have your number And it was kind of funny. It felt like I was asking somebody on a date.
emily_gorrie:
Yes,
meaghan_sheets:
Um,
emily_gorrie:
but you kind of were.
meaghan_sheets:
Yes, it kind of was like that. And so we've text ed here and there. We haven't really like met up or anything. But it's still that act of trying and I think that effort doesn't go unnoticed like you still
emily_gorrie:
Yeah.
meaghan_sheets:
have to put in a little bit of something. I also joined a mom's group. We meet every other Wednesday, and that has helped so much. Just been in community with other women
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
and So many resources. All it takes is a Google search. Mom's groups near me
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
or Facebook, Mom's groups near me, or you know whatever
emily_gorrie:
Absolutely,
meaghan_sheets:
it is, and sometimes it's easier to be vulnerable with a stranger than it is to be with a friend. and so for anyone who is struggling with negative thoughts or struggling in a really hard season of motherhood, I just you can reach out to a stranger and be like Hey, I'm struggling. Do you struggle with this?
emily_gorrie:
Absolutely
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
absolutely. I think it just really resonates with me because my closest mom friend right now is actually a woman that Um, I met at a Mommy and Me group like Play group, and I think I had met her like three or four times at that point, and I just was like I'm going to give her my phone number, so I asked if I could give her my phone number and maybe We could meet up and it was probably a couple of months after that and we actually have a chance to meet up with everything going on, but I was. I remember. it is being so proud of myself of being text my husband after I was like, I gave some woman my phone number.
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
I never do that. I never do that, and I mean this woman to this day is one of my absolute closest friends. Our daughters are like one month apart. We see each other sand For a couple of months or so. We saw each other every week for like the majority of the first year and a half of their lives. So it was just like such a blessing and I think that speaks really just true to what you said of trying and being vulnerable with somebody who you may never see again. I didn't know if I would ever see this woman again, and I was like, Let me just give her my phone number and see where it goes. And the beauty of that is that it blossomed into something both of us needed. Um at the time and still do and still do. I'm not. I don't know what I would do without her right now. Um, so I absolutely love that you that you share them. Given that little piece of advice because it's a nice reminder to just put ourselves out there and it doesn't have to be with the person that we think knows us best.
meaghan_sheets:
Absolutely, and I think also it can be friends of friends Like I have
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
a really good mom friends. Nd. I had reached out to one of her friends and I was like Hey, my daughter has the super weird rash. Do you happen to now what this is? And
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
you know she was like, Oh, yeah, of course, like you know, I'm not a doctor, but it could
emily_gorrie:
We've
meaghan_sheets:
be this.
emily_gorrie:
seen it
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
yet.
meaghan_sheets:
like wait, We've seen this before, So
emily_gorrie:
Uh
meaghan_sheets:
U
emily_gorrie:
huh.
meaghan_sheets:
and I think it is just that like, even if it's just through, you know, social media or something like that, if there's a mom on there, and like, Oh, like, I have the same viewpoints as her. Like, maybe she would know what to do about this and I have
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
reached out before and I think it does just take a level of humbleness and be like Okay. I'm new. I'm learning, even though I've officially been a mom for a year and a half. That is not a very Time, so I need.
emily_gorrie:
No,
meaghan_sheets:
I need other women around me as
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
I'm learning and growing And then you kind of repeat that cycle so as you're surrounding yourself with women who have been before you, now you get to be the women to help those who are coming up alongside you And
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
it's so fun. It's really really fun.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, how are you feeling with your son being born soon like you're almost going to be a mom of two.
meaghan_sheets:
Oh, I know.
emily_gorrie:
I mean, how, how is that? How are you preparing yourself for that? I think, mentally probably has to be the biggest hurtle
meaghan_sheets:
Yes,
emily_gorrie:
right now.
meaghan_sheets:
yes.
emily_gorrie:
What is it going to be like?
meaghan_sheets:
Oh my gosh. that is, so that is spot on because I feel like physically. this pregnancy has been really great. Like I wasn't super sick with my daughter, but sick enough. and so this
emily_gorrie:
M?
meaghan_sheets:
time physically my pregnancy has been so great, but mentally it's been the biggest hurtle, like
emily_gorrie:
M,
meaghan_sheets:
I think, just I find myself comparing the time that I'm pregnan, My son versus the time I was pregnant with my daughter, And those are two very different seasons of life. And so you know, kind of coming down to that comparison thing is, I find myself just kind of struggling, and I have mentioned it multiple tied before to different friends and clients. Like this pregnancy. I am struggling mentally because it's a big hurdle, because when it's your
emily_gorrie:
M,
meaghan_sheets:
first child, you have fear of the unknown, but now that it's my second, I have fear of the known, And I'm not sure which one's worse.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
Um, it's so funny. Um, but and then you know, just a lot has happened this year That has just put a lot of weight and pressure on my shoulders, and I don't want to bring that into this next season of my life. as my son starts to make his arrival, I don't want to bring, And so I'm
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
trying really hard to work through some different things and just some grief and some loss that has happened and I'm like Okay, We need to process this right now and allow me to feel all of these emotions, so that way when he comes, I can just focus on my family, And so
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
it does make me a little concerned. Just post part him. because I did struggle a little bit after my daughter, but this time I asked for help. Ahead of time I reached out to my family. I reached out to my friends. I told my husband I'm like, Hey, I need help. This is what I'm going to need help with and I could really use your support. I'm going to need food. I'm going to need house care. I'm going to need child care and I'm going to need you to rub my feet and tell me I'm pretty, because,
emily_gorrie:
Yes,
meaghan_sheets:
but this time I know what to ask for where. as with my daughter, I didn't know what I needed Would ask like. Oh, you know what can I do to help and I'd be like, Oh, I'm good, because I didn't know what
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
I needed and
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
this time around I know like, Actually, I do need help. So here I am asking ahead of time
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and hoping that
emily_gorrie:
yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
that will come into play at the right time.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah. absolutely. that's so empowering to to be able to Really look inward and say this is how I did it the first time. This is really what will support me better the second time, especially with the unknown right of how post partem is going to feel for you This next go around. So I just love how empowering you are of yourself to kind of start that and have the ability to change your mind later. Like actually, I said I need this, but maybe I don't need this right now. I need you to do this right in being Well, to just have the wherewithal to to say those things, and I do also appreciate you sharing kind of the level of pressure that you have on yourself right now in terms of what you're trying to work through, any, I think something that is not shared a lot and I experienced it very intensely. My first pregnancy was A lot of things get unlocked for you when your body is physically going through so many changes, growing a human being hormonially. you're preparing yourself for the unknown of what is happening. Your body unlocks a lot of trauma. Even that's like, held and stored in our bodies for so long that like, if you don't take the time to slow down and address them and trying feel them. now we risk getting to a point where we've just Ontinue to move fast, so we don't feel the hurt or the uncomfort, or whatever it is that we're running from. It's so powerful that you shared that because I think it gets lost.
meaghan_sheets:
Absolutely, and I think whether you're a mom or not, I think just being a woman in general, we don't always allow ourselves the time to process things that we really need to address and really need to process,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
And you know we're just like. Oh, we'll just, we'll just keep adding things on like we're just going to keep burying those feelings under all the
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
different hats that we're wearing, And all of a sudden you know, it's almost like you're like juggling all these different plates and somebody accidentally bumps or your purse strap gets stuck somewhere and all the
emily_gorrie:
You get
meaghan_sheets:
place.
emily_gorrie:
whip lashed back.
meaghan_sheets:
Yes, it just
emily_gorrie:
Uh
meaghan_sheets:
takes that
emily_gorrie:
huh,
meaghan_sheets:
one tiny thing to make everything crash And I struggled with that. I am constantly juggling and you know, moving things around, but it is. It's trying to find that balance at all, and allowing yourself to be like Okay, like I don't have to do it all. I don't have to.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
I can remove some of these hats. I can remove some of these plates that I'm juggling and it's going to be okay. It's goin t be great.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, absolutely so I love that as like, actually a transition into kind of this stage of you and your salon and your vital beauty business. You know, how are you showing up in those businesses and balancing being a mom right now? Like what does the support look like for you in those businesses? As you're growing your family, and as you're you know, taking some time to pause and heal some of these. You know things that really need to be looked at before everything comes crashing.
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah, so thankfully with my salon. So it's a three chair salon and I have two other girls in there who rent from me And so they're basically on run that while I'm gone,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and so they're able to take care of my clients. Thankfully, my clients have been in this position before only a year and a half ago, where
emily_gorrie:
Uh,
meaghan_sheets:
I had
emily_gorrie:
uh,
meaghan_sheets:
where I had to pass them on. and so they are prepared. I've set the way for them. I've got appointment set up for them. I'm gone and then when it comes to my bridal business, Technically this is my like, slow season or off season, although I do still have a couple of winter weddings kind of trickled in in there. Ah,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and this time around with this pregnancy, my son is actually due to make his arrival beginning of May, which is technically the beginning of my wedding season. So the official wedding season is like May through October, And So I'm like I'm not going to take any weddings in May,
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
and then
emily_gorrie:
hm.
meaghan_sheets:
I'll start like Mid June is like my first wedding, and I have girls like on my team who are able to help me and they can help me do hair and make up. And then I also have a bunch of really incredible women within the community that I'm like, Hey, I just got an inquiry for this. Can you take care of her? You would be such a great fit. And so I think
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
again, coming back to the community, Surround yourself with. They are my support. They are here to help me. Um, And so that's been really great and also
emily_gorrie:
I love that,
meaghan_sheets:
like, I think, just having my friends and family around to has been really helpful and they're just super supportive of my business. Is they're always like? Hey, I'd love to support you. However, I can let me help you.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, I love that. I think there's something to be said for tapping into that group, but also giving back in and the one of the pieces that's really resonating with me From what you just said, is this ability to think of others with inquiries that you get of like this, doesn't Aline with the season of Life that I'm in right now, whether because your maternity leave or you know, whatever that might be. Hey, I actually have somebody who would be so perfect for this, So you are Also putting some love back into the community that is giving you love, which is so beautiful and so needed, And I think a lot of Um, business owners, and I think even when you think about it in terms of motherhood, right we, we give and give and give, but don't always ask and receive, so I think it's just a beautiful reminder of this like it's a two, a street and end. Oh, you know, people are going through different parts of you know different seasons of life and it's okay to ask and reach out and to ask for help and then give help when you have the capacity to do. so.
meaghan_sheets:
I agree absolutely. I think you
emily_gorrie:
I love
meaghan_sheets:
touched
emily_gorrie:
that,
meaghan_sheets:
on that, though like asking for help. Like why is
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
that so hard? Sometimes
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
you know like my husband has no problem asking for help. I mean, let me take that back.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
but it's a lot easier for him.
emily_gorrie:
yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
like when
emily_gorrie:
yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
he actually
emily_gorrie:
and it looks different.
meaghan_sheets:
needs it.
emily_gorrie:
I'm
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
sure.
meaghan_sheets:
yeah,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah, I have a question for you. that's a little off off the current topic, but it's on the topic of asking for help, and I think for a lot of women who are starting their businesses who are inquiring about launching something for themselves, one of the biggest hurdles is Finding clients it, or to put themselves out there in a space where clients can find them learn about their services. I mean, what advice do you have for women who are nervous to put themselves in those situations to expose themselves to be vulnerable to ask for work.
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah, so I think we're in a little bit of a different age where social media is a great tool. When I first started my career, it was just starting like Instagram had just
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
kind of crept on to this scene and it was so much different. then. Um, but now I feel like it's such a great tool. But when I was first starting, the best way to Your business and to connect with other people is to do it in person. So you do have to be vulnerable. You have to step
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
out and have the gumption to have a conversation like, Um, When I was at a salon that I worked at the really education focused one. Um, we had to come up with an elevator speech and that still sticks with me. And so you basically have to he A speech Ready to go If you were alone with someone in an elevator And basically it would go like. Oh, hey, your harror is so great. Um, you know, I am offering my services for ten dollars off this week. I would love for you to be my client. Like. Can we schedule an appointment and
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
they would like ninety nine percent of the time Be like, Okay, Yeah, sure, that sounds great, and I still have. like that elevator speech worked a lot. Um, I still have so many clients from doing that like I would do it to waitresses. Whenever we would go out to eat. I would
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
do it to Um, the gal at the front desk of the movie theaters, or anywhere you go and put yourself out there. It really was having that courage to be like. Okay, I see you. I think you would be a great client. How about we work together just
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
just like you. Like you reached out to me. It was like Hey, you look cool. Like, Like for you to be on my show.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
I was like, Oh, my gosh, that is so cool. Yes, absolutely I would love to. I think it is just
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
that courage and asking and being okay if somebody says no, Because
emily_gorrie:
Yep.
meaghan_sheets:
somebody says no. It leaves room for somebody else to say yes.
emily_gorrie:
M. M. yeah. that's a beautiful reminder because I think and also as you're you're sharing this like anecdote of like going up to people at the movie theater or waitresses that you see like these are strangers in of themselves like you may never have to see these people again. Right so the? Hopefully, the level of Not embarrassment, but like fear of what they're going to say. Hopefully we can put that to the to the wayside and put that on pause and just put ourselves out there and be vulnerable because it. sometimes it's just easier to do it with strangers than it is to like you know,
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah, absolutely
emily_gorrie:
put yourself out there with people that you know. So I, That is such a great idea. I didn't even like think about approaching people in the movie theater, or you know you're the waitresses that you see, But it's really true. I mean, you are Your brand in every aspect of your life, so why not use
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah.
emily_gorrie:
that to your advantage?
meaghan_sheets:
And then once those people you know, then it becomes word of mouth. And so that's
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
really
emily_gorrie:
hm,
meaghan_sheets:
how I built my business In the very beginning is word of mouth and you know your friend, You go up to someone and they go until their friend. like Hey, this girl came up to me and like asked if she could cut my hair, you know,
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
And so then that becomes like, Oh, that would be cool. I wonder if she could do mine, you know, And then it just is this like snowball effect And I do want to say, Though like that is my personality, it's a little bit easier for me to be. I'm not really afraid of confrontation.
emily_gorrie:
M,
meaghan_sheets:
And so
emily_gorrie:
hm,
meaghan_sheets:
I do want to say that that is easier for someone who does struggle with a little bit more anxiety or kind of that personal interaction like it's okay to be scared. It's okay to be
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
anxious or worried or like that fear. Somebody's saying no like it's totally okay to feel That way. I feel that too. I just have that type of personality who is able to kind of power through that and I know that
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
not everyone has those tools and their tool belt to be able to do that.
emily_gorrie:
Absolutely, and I think to you mentioned it right, like social media is such a beautiful tool Now to maybe bridge that gap a little bit, Um, and put ourselves out there that way. Um, and I want to just touch a little bit on. I think social media is an interesting transition into this. I mean being in the beauty space, and you had shared with me a little bit in terms of being Authentically you, right, in a space that is Um driven by trends and right comparison and big brands and big names, And you know kind of all social media these days, Right how how are you staying authentically? You and then you had mentioned to me right like you have this mind set of having to raise a daughter in in and around this industry. Kind of what It's going to look like for her in the next ten, fifteen, twenty years,
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah, it's definitely a little bit of pressure to be in the beauty industry where, especially on social media, too, where everything is constantly being thrown at you. Where you need to fix this. you need to do this. You need to buy this, and it can feel super overwhelming especially to young girls. I also have two little teen age sisters. They're sixteen and eighteen, and Helping
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
them navigate their teenahood is challenging for sure, and
emily_gorrie:
Yep,
meaghan_sheets:
I feel like I have had to teach myself how to be like Okay. Just because somebody is promoting that I need to you know, fix my teeth or do this, doesn't mean that I actually feel like I need to do that and it's Thankfully like I have a different perspective. I do have my faith and so I do have God telling me like, like, I know that I am worthy and beautiful and I have it centered in my soul that I am perfect just the way I am, But that doesn't mean that I'm not allowed to have nice things either, And so it's just fine
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
balance of knowing that I am beautiful just the way I am, but I still like to get my nails done. I still like
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
to get my hair done. Um,
emily_gorrie:
yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
and knowing that I feel like my role as technically a beauty influence because I am influencing women around me physically that my role is to just make you feel beautiful and make you feel nhanced like a better enhanced version of yourself. And I think it does start from Within, And so it's definitely one of those things where I'm not only doing your hair, your make up to make you feel beautiful on the outside, I'm also encouraging you and telling you like, like, Oh, wow, you're so good at that. you have such a big heart. I love how you interact with other people. I love how you treat yourself. I love how you take care of your family, and just kind of filling women With those words of encouragement of things that they do on the inside and not just on the outside.
emily_gorrie:
I feel like we all need to find a hair dresser like
meaghan_sheets:
Uh,
emily_gorrie:
you mean. I, just if I was anywhere near you,
meaghan_sheets:
uh.
emily_gorrie:
I feel like that is where that's it. I'm shifting. I'm actually in the market for a new hairdresser at the moment, but
meaghan_sheets:
Well,
emily_gorrie:
I
meaghan_sheets:
come on up to spoken girl.
emily_gorrie:
perfect. I'll take my three times four times a year trip right up that way you can take care of
meaghan_sheets:
Uh,
emily_gorrie:
me.
meaghan_sheets:
uh,
emily_gorrie:
I've never been there, so you'll you can have. You'll have to show me around.
meaghan_sheets:
Oh, my
emily_gorrie:
but
meaghan_sheets:
gosh,
emily_gorrie:
I just
meaghan_sheets:
that's so
emily_gorrie:
it's
meaghan_sheets:
fun.
emily_gorrie:
so hard to find. I think somebody that you connect with to who just makes you feel good all around and I, we all could just use someone like you in our corner, So I love that I love that.
meaghan_sheets:
I also had to search for a new hair dresser because my friend Lindsey was doing my hair. She was on your podcast as well,
emily_gorrie:
Yes.
meaghan_sheets:
and she moved so well. She had a baby, and then she moved and
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
so I lost my hair dresser, and so for the first time in my life I had to start completely over and be like, Oh, my gosh, this is so hard for women like I was actually
emily_gorrie:
Yes,
meaghan_sheets:
put in their shoes for the first time. Who do I choose? Where do I go? Because not only
emily_gorrie:
M.
meaghan_sheets:
are you trusting someone to make you, you know, give you your goals on the outside of how you want to look. But you're right if you're having. If you're spending that quality time with someone you know, you're stuck in a chair. you can't really leave. Like you, Better hope that that somebody touching you is making you feel good to
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
ye.
emily_gorrie:
that's so true. Yeah, I really loved the woman that I was just working with, but she closed her, her son. She's doing just in home visits. And honestly, I need somebody to wash my hair
meaghan_sheets:
Yeah,
emily_gorrie:
like I'm going, because I want somebody to give my head a message. That is also why I'm going, So
meaghan_sheets:
Okay, well, that's
emily_gorrie:
I am
meaghan_sheets:
my
emily_gorrie:
transitioning
meaghan_sheets:
goal.
emily_gorrie:
out.
meaghan_sheets:
I'm going to find you someone near you, so that way you don't have to travel two thousand miles.
emily_gorrie:
Yeah,
meaghan_sheets:
That's my goal. I'm going to find you
emily_gorrie:
I love
meaghan_sheets:
somebody
emily_gorrie:
it.
meaghan_sheets:
who will connect with you.
emily_gorrie:
I appreciate you. Um, well, I think maybe with that let's wrap this up. I so appreciated everything that you have been so vulnerable in sharing with us today, and I want to just give you a quick moment to let those listening know where they can find you. How can they engage with you and continue to follow along on your journey?
meaghan_sheets:
Absolutely. Um, so social media is great. I'm very present on Instagram, Um, My personal page is me, Love's Ham, which, if you don't know, ham stands for hair and make up.
emily_gorrie:
I love it yet.
meaghan_sheets:
I've had that account since I was eighteen and I can't get rid of it because it's so funny.
emily_gorrie:
It's it's I love
meaghan_sheets:
it's
emily_gorrie:
it.
meaghan_sheets:
so funny.
emily_gorrie:
I do love it.
meaghan_sheets:
Um,
emily_gorrie:
That's perfect.
meaghan_sheets:
and then my bridal business, lovely bright Beauty, I would love to connect with you. I also do. not only do I do bridal hair and make up, but I also do event here and make up. So Valentine's Day or photo shoots or birthday is anything like that. I also have a team of women who are able to help as well, and then my salon volume beauty studio. Although I am going on maternity leave, I do have other women in my salon who are able to help, and I can help you connect with those women as well.
emily_gorrie:
Awesome. Well, we will make sure we link all of that in the show notes as well, Megan, and thank you again. So much for being here and just being so willing to share.
meaghan_sheets:
Yes, thank you so much. it truly is such an honor and I'm just so glad that we get to live in a world where we get to do this. Like how cool is that we just get to have a conversation about real
emily_gorrie:
Yes,
meaghan_sheets:
things that are happening in real time.
emily_gorrie:
Yes, and so important, so important, and I am just so grateful that there are women like you who are willing to do that so we can continue to kind of shed some light on some topics that feel taboo for a lot of women, so I appreciate you. Thank you so much.
meaghan_sheets:
Thank you so much, Emily.