Episode 151
How I “Came Out” After Building a Business “In The Closet” | Georgia “G” Tournai | Owner, G TOURNAI Hair + Creative Studio | Educator + Salon Consultant
Listen to G Tournai as they share their journey of building a business within limitations. Discover how their struggle with authenticity and readiness for change motivated them to embrace their true selves and assist others in creating safe, accessible, and authentic salon spaces.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- After shaving a trans friend’s hair and seeing the transformation, Georgia (aka G) knew they wanted to do hair!
- G went to school, started at Super Cuts, then moved to a new small town and started working at a local shop, then got approached to buy a barbershop!
- The barber shop owner financed the loan to buy the business (aka seller financing). This relationship turned into a mentorship, and G still stays in touch with this person!
- Starting off, G appreciated the community in which this shop is located but had to handle a small town mindset and their issues.
- A new landlord bought the building and decided to take the barbershop!
- The relationship of a customer became G's investor!
- Moving locations while your old location will be your competitor is a stressful experience, but G made it happen with the help of friends, family, and even a client!
- Take online business courses! It helped G understand what they were doing!
- Focusing on building the business and respecting the brand and the history of the shop caused G to keep their sexual preference and gender identity to themselves. This coupled with the readiness to end running this business, G sold the business, maintained the property, and embarked on their own thing.
- G now helps other salons update their business and space to be safe, accessible, and authentic to you, the owner.
- New Entrepreneurs: Write a business plan, know your dream clients and pursue them, and work when others do not work.
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:
👉Follow G Tournai on IG, Check out their Website, and All of their Personal Recommendations on their episode page here.
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