“Use your skills where they are valued and hire out where you can use someone’s help. It’s not going to help you in the long run. It’s only going to hurt you especially when it comes to e-commerce. It’s so new to our industry. It’s a different skill set. It’s a lot harder and a lot more expensive to try and do it yourself.”
The Pommeshell Nicole Pidherny
We had a great chat with Nicole Pidherny of Pommeshell. Her energy and enthusiasm was infectious. After 15 years of being in the business as a stylist and now salon owner she wanted to create a salon space where stylists can have a healthy work/life balance while making money. An environment to earn and create without compromising your mental health was top priority for Nicole for her BC and Colona locations.
Pandemic Opportunity
The pandemic had opened up an opportunity for Nicole. Realizing she had to shift quickly, she kept close contact with her clients throughout the entire time that her salon was shut down by starting a Chatbox. She offered digital consultations and helped them shop online for their needs through her e-commerce store. She shifted her business model to service online and it proved to be a hit. Now she has created a structured e-consultation service to book with her directly and her clients love it.
Nicole saw a gap in the market to teach her customers. “Education for the clients is important. They wanted to learn how to do their hair.” Nicole took this opportunity to teach her clients how to style using the products she sells.
Knowing that this would be a learning curve after attempting her online space herself, she hired a digital team to create and focus on her new website. “I realized my time and skills were best utilized in dreaming up content and being in front of the camera.”
Pommeshell Brand
“I was looking at brushes and scalp massagers and noticed that Walmart was selling them. I wanted to have a heat resistant brush that helps with detangling. They are so popular because they stimulate the scalp and work with every hair type.” She started researching gaps in the market and noticed a huge movement in scalp health and focusing on treating your scalp like skin. She launched the Pommeshell brand in November 2020.
Industry Shift
I’ve never seen our industry change like this in my career. It’s interesting to see how we have had to adapt. It’s not easy, it’s been a challenge. I think that we shifted so fast. Our client expectation is higher than it’s ever been. We need to put a value on our time. We have been spending a lot of free time on our clients to keep them. Don’t be afraid to charge for these extra services. Our clients are much more open, wanting to support our business and are seeing value in that.
Read more about Nicole:
What country are you from and where do you live?
Kelowna B.C. Canada.
Title of what you do and what company you work with?
Founder, President and Master Stylist at Pomme Salon inc.
Education background (school, salons, self taught)?
I have had various training around the world and many, many, many classes! My core training is; Marvel College, Toni + Guy Academy Dallas, Vidal Sassoon Academy, L’Oreal Professionnel, and Kerastase Paris.
What is your signature style/artistic expression to your work?
Come see me if you want west coast blonde (I’m known for my blondes!) and a laid back simple haircut that works with your natural texture.
What is the first creative project that you remember?
I was part of this crazy photoshoot where we used body paint instead of clothing and made a huge brimmed hat out of hair and shot it in a private jet. I was 19 years old so it was a pretty cool project to be part of!
What is the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
We collaborated with mamas for mamas Kelowna to surprise a mom with a makeover and we got to watch her life literally transform in front of our eyes! I got to do this with one of my best friends and colleagues (she did the cut and I did the colour) It was amazing! I love working on projects like that.
Do you have a career turning point or big break that has helped your career? What was your scariest and proudest moment in your career?
As far as my time behind the chair, a turning point for me was when I began treating social media as my personal brand portfolio. I was able to show who I was and stand out from others through expressing myself and my personality behind the hair I was doing. My career as whole would be when I opened Pomme Salon inc and I became not only a hairstylist, but a business owner as well and learning how to navigate entrepreneurship as a 26 year old female wasn’t easy! I have had a lot of really scary moments but thankfully made it through to tell the tale! One in particular was obviously owning a business during the pandemic and I’m really proud of myself for seeing an opportunity and pivoting my business to grow online and expand nationally.
What is next for your career goals?
I can’t spill all the tea, I will say I am forever planning on the next step and we have some exciting things happening!! My plan is to continue to build our salon and online Pommeshell community. To have a creative space for my team to have successful careers and hopefully bring happiness and laughter to our Pommeshell community!
My goal is to launch a YouTube channel. It’s a lot of work. I don’t want to launch until I have the time to do it properly. I know exactly what I want. It’s in the process now.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your business?
It will take you a few years to figure out who you are as a leader and business owner, go easy on yourself! How you run your business HAS to evolve year after year, don’t get stagnant! Hire good people, your people make your business. Remember to trust your gut and enjoy the hustle!
Website: www.pommesalon.ca
Instagram: @nicolepommehair
