The Power of Accountability: Owning Your Wins & Lessons in the Beauty Industry
Accountability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of real growth. If you want to build a thriving career in the beauty industry, you have to be willing to own your mistakes, recognize your wins, and use every experience as a stepping stone to something greater.
In Episode 123 of The 5-Minute Podcast, I shared some of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn as a hairstylist and business owner. These weren’t just minor setbacks—they were the kind of experiences that could’ve either crushed me or forced me to level up. I chose the latter, and today, I’m breaking down how you can do the same.
Let’s get into it.
Lesson #1: Taking Responsibility for My Biggest Hair Color Fail
Every stylist has had that one service they wish they could take back. Mine? A color job gone horribly wrong. I knew something felt off from the start, but instead of trusting my instincts and slowing down, I rushed the process. The result? A client in my chair with a look that neither of us were happy with.
That moment could have gone one of two ways: I could have made excuses, blamed the product, or said, “Well, this is what you asked for.” Or, I could take full accountability, own the mistake, and figure out how to make it right.
I chose the second option.
When a service doesn’t go as planned, here’s what to do:
Be honest, not defensive. Clients respect a stylist who takes responsibility. Instead of trying to explain it away, acknowledge the issue and let them know you’re going to fix it.
Learn from the experience. I went back and studied what went wrong. Was it my formulation? My application? Was I too focused on speed instead of precision?
Put systems in place to prevent it from happening again. From that day forward, I refined my color consultation process and made sure I never rushed through a formula again.
Mistakes will happen. The key is how you respond to them.
Lesson #2: The Hardest Money Lesson I Ever Had to Learn
Let’s talk money—because if you don’t take control of it, it will take control of you.
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was that making money and managing money are two different things. I was bringing in solid income, but I wasn’t managing it properly. I didn’t set money aside for taxes, I underpriced my services, and I wasn’t reinvesting into my business the way I should have been.
The wake-up call came when I realized I was working harder but not getting ahead. My schedule was full, but my bank account didn’t reflect the effort I was putting in. That’s when I had to make some major shifts:
Pricing for profit. I stopped charging based on what I thought clients would pay and started charging based on my skill level, my expenses, and my worth.
Setting up financial systems. I created a real business budget, automated savings for taxes, and started tracking every dollar that came in and out.
Treating my business like a business. I stopped spending like I had an unlimited cash flow and started making financial decisions that would set me up for long-term success.
If you’re feeling like you’re working nonstop but not seeing the financial results you should be, it’s time to take accountability for your money. Look at your pricing, your spending, and your business structure—and make the necessary changes.
Lesson #3: Owning My Growth & Moving Forward
It’s easy to stay stuck in what went wrong—but the real power of accountability is in what you do next. Every mistake, every financial setback, every tough lesson has shaped me into the hairstylist and business owner I am today.
Here’s what I know now:
You have to be willing to evolve. The stylists who make it long-term in this industry are the ones who learn, adjust, and keep pushing forward.
Your biggest lessons will come from your biggest mistakes. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, ask yourself, What can I take from this experience to make me better?
Success requires accountability. No one is going to build your career for you. If you’re not happy with your business, your income, or your growth—it’s on you to change it.
The Next Step: Invest in Your Growth
Holding yourself accountable is one thing, but having a community and resources to help guide you is another. That’s why The Stylist Corner is here—to provide hairstylists with real education, real support, and real strategies to grow their businesses the right way.
Want access to exclusive coaching, business training, and a network of driven stylists? Join The TSC Exclusive Hairstylist Membership for ongoing education and mentorship.
Need more insight on how to take full control of your success? Go listen to Episode 123 of The 5-Minute Podcast, where I share the full breakdown of these lessons and more.
🎧 Listen now: https://youtube.com/@thestylistcorner?si=zVfB0aHEaLOhp5Qq
Taking ownership of your career is what separates average stylists from industry leaders. It’s time to own your wins, own your lessons, and build the beauty business you deserve. Let’s get to work.
Warm regards,
Danie Wilks
The 5-Minute Podcast Host and Mentoring Coach
