“Mind your own business. If you don’t, somebody else will!” Unknown
When I first met Jodi Shays about a year ago, it was love at first sight. Thanks to one of my besties, Candida Santos, an esthetician at Queen Bee Salon & Spa, I not only got to meet Jodi but take a behind the scenes glimpse into one of the most successful spas in North America. Jodi has since become not only a client of Passion Squared, but also one of my greatest inspirations of creative small business ownership. It is because of that and so much more, that I absolutely had to do this Passion Profile on the great Queen Bee, Jodi Shays…
N. What does passion look & feel like to you?
J. When you wake up in the morning excited about going into your job. When somebody asks you a question about your particular field and you have the best time answering it and you could answer questions about it all day!
N. Why did you become an owner?
J. I just got fed up with working for other people who didn’t share my values and passion for the industry. I wanted to bring back class to our industry – allowing myself to focus on “service” instead of the money.
N. What is the biggest challenge you have had and how did you overcome it?
J. Honestly I would say a couple of things.
1) Not taking negative feedback too personally, and ensuring I turned anything negative around and made it a positive.
2) Staff issues – having to let go of people who are great at what they do, but bring negativity into the work place, it’s just frustrating to see wasted talent. But I had to learn that one bad banana can turn the rest!
N. What is the greatest lesson you have learned?
J. To mind my own bloody business!!! My motto is “mind your own business, because if you are not, somebody else will.” In other words, don’t sweat what everybody else is doing. Stay true to your beliefs, trust your gut and work your arse off!!!! Hard work will always be rewarded.
N. What is one skill you believe all successful owners need to have?
J. Communication is key. Not just with customers but with staff as well. If you don’t have that, you have nothing.
N. Why that one?
J. Because I have learned that if you don’t communicate well, people become complacent. Auto pilot is great for the short term, but there always needs to be a skipper at the wheel!
N. Why are you so focused on delivering a consistent quality experience?
J. Because I’ve been victim of not so quality services and the owners never cared. I want to make sure every person from every walk of life gets treated like a A lister. What is better than seeing a happy client leave your salon who raves about their experience to their friends and family? I’m a people pleaser and always have been. Some people aren’t.
N. Favorite quote?
J. As above “Mind your own business, if you don’t, somebody else will!” I don’t know who came up with that, but I think it was ME!!!!!!
N. Starbucks or Coffee Bean?
J. Come on, Nina… really!?!? It’s Peet’s all the way baby!!!!
You can find Jodi and all her awesome Bee’s on Instagram @queenbeesalonspa and Facebook and check out Jodi’s newest and awesome venture, Queen Bee Academy, a place where estheticians and hairdressers can learn award-winning beauty and waxing techniques with a particular emphasis on Brazilian bikini waxing and facials.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina