Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Young.
Audrey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out of necessity after becoming a single parent of a 2-year-old daughter. I needed to make ends meet and care for her as best I could and also be able to have somewhat of a flexible schedule. So the fit was perfect and I started working at an Aveda salon at the front desk while I was attending Cosmetology school.
After graduating, I was able to get some really incredible opportunities to train with Toni & Guy in Dallas and private instruction with Japanese hairstylist Yosh Toya. I worked at that salon until I moved to Spring and started trying to build my clientele in that area. And I’ve been in the Spring area now for 19 years. I’ve had some of my clients for over 16 years! It truly amazes me that I’ve been here this long.
I started doing lots of weddings when I was with Aveda and used to have clients ask me all the time about taking care of them on their special day, at where ever their venue was located. I just ended up doing the on-location hair-styling and makeup because my clients asked if I would do it special for them. So it was really only natural for me to have it continued today, and morphing into other on-location needs for photography.
Now, it includes many photo-shoots with some really fantastic and very detailed, excellent photographers over the years. I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to work with all of them, and I really appreciate the trust they give me working so closely with their clients as well. I’m really particular about my work and how the clients look. I mean, they are my business card so to speak!
And what their experience is while sitting in my chair is just as important. I really and genuinely care about them. I hope they know that! I also have been lucky enough to work with some production studios here in The Woodlands and take care of some pretty high profile people. Some I can tell you about… some others I can’t! Lol!
Now at my salon, (after 3 years of asking them repeatedly) we just acquired the Aveda product backing. I GOT IT!With 23 years relationship, seeing some very familiar old friends’ faces again.. felt more like seeing family. It’s been awesome to be working hard to achieve a goal and actually reaching it. I don’t feel I’ve had the chance to let it all sink in how fast time really does go by. We are coming up on our 1 year anniversary in February with Aveda! And just had our Client Appreciation Open House last weekend for Christmas.
This past year has been absolutely incredible. Last year at this time, I was able to help, along with an amazing photographer, capture the beauty of some ladies going through a difficult process at Canopy Cancer Center in The Woodlands. It was a remarkable day making portraits of significant milestones for these women. I was honored to be a part of it.
So currently now, we are going on 4 years at our location. There have been so many learning objects that come my way! We’ve had the best time with our wonderful souls associated with Silverbox at the moment. From a Nordstrom makeup artist that makes my sides hurt from laughing so much with him to a hairstylist that reminds me of myself when I first started out! But most recently we have a new Aveda student about to embark on a voyage with us from the very beginning after she graduates. Wait—This is all seriously becoming full circle for me! (I see the pattern).
We really enjoy being small and specialized. Not a hustle and bustle place –where they forget you at the dryers. We have enough room for 3 stations, a shampoo area, retail, and back-room in our building. So everyone gets to know you… and I promise you’ll have friendly faces here always. And some days, you may walk into having donuts and mimosas… just because we can! I work hard, I always will. I like to surround myself with others who prefer to do the same and have high goals.
I never take anything for granted, and I know nothing is for free. My dad taught me from the very beginning with his Mercedes Benz Master Technician Auto Shop, work hard and do things right, and when I say right… I mean correctly… from the start. He passed away in 2000, but his words echo a lot and have stayed with me. I swear, you know when you hear your parents say things, and you think, yeah… right. Well…. they’re right. Darn it! Here’s a few of my Dad’s favorite business owner echoes.
Don’t make compromises, because you usually will be the one doing all the work. Not everything is fun… but you can make it that way if you relax..and enjoy the moment you are living in. Failure is just a second chance at becoming perfection – be a Master. Listen to everything… you might just hear something more important than what the client is actually telling you. Have manners… ALL THE TIME… say ‘Thank You’… all the time no excuses (my dad was from England so being proper is the only thing accepted).
Clients don’t have to come see you… they choose to remember that. Care about your work… because it will take care of you. The service industry is excellence… and meaningful. Mean to be excellent. Be honest– it’s not a test– it’s required. You are your tools and no one can take away your knowledge and your talent.
Looking back, I’m very humbled and appreciate all of the experiences, trials..and the oh so many times I’ve just been there “winging- it” along the way! I learn new things every day about this business. I’ll never know it all. Who does? But I genuinely look forward to having a really great time meeting new clients! Some of them turn into wonderful friends… and feel more like family than anything.
Also, working with the amazing companies and charities. I’ve had the chance to give back to them because… it just felt like it was needed and they didn’t expect it at all. Such awesome surprises are so rewarding and we really don’t do them enough as coexisting people.
Thankful for all those people I’ve had a chance to meet within this business. Most are just irreplaceable and create change within myself, including the way I look at the whole salon experience or the chance meeting with the next client on the makeup schedule at a wedding. Your interaction with them is valid and can be insightful, for them, or perhaps it’s lesson meant for you.
The bottom line is… I wouldn’t be where I am now without them. Every single one, all the classic vendors and business owners, as well as the many NEW wedding venues I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the very beginning of their existence from drawing to real-life too.
I really do love this journey. And can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. I can only hope that my children, (yes 3 of them now – my oldest daughter is 25. My son is 13, and my youngest daughter is 12.) all pay attention to the lessons, and know what I mean by having good work ethic… and setting examples by appreciative attitudes… you can create some wonderful things by loving your work. I always say I’d sleep up there at my salon if I had a loft and a shower. But who am I kidding…
I wouldn’t sleep… I’d be thinking about all the things I want to do next!!! Thanks for everything from heaven Dad! I hope I make you proud.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was difficult to raise my daughter without her father in her life. It was by his choice. He was a man who is extremely selfish and he has no problem telling anyone that fact. It was very hard for me to cope with. I also saw a real strain for my daughter. She couldn’t figure out why her dad wasn’t sending her a ticket to come visit him during the summers like some other friends dads were.
I learned to be the mom and dad. I regret nothing. And she is actually a very strong person because of it. She also knows I’ll be there for her no matter what. She doesn’t have that same respect for her father. She’s now 25 and hasn’t seen him since she was 2 years old. I wish I could have changed that part for her and make that go away. I love her beyond words or work. I’d run through fire for her.
I also had a few ‘interns’ take advantage of my business and pretend a lot to get what they wanted including stealing product, stealing jobs, calling the venues I currently am a preferred vendor for at 3 locations and ask them if they would put them on the list and be a part of the yearly open houses.
It was very disappointing because I truly thought they wanted to have a career with my salon in the area. What they really wanted was to get a hold of all of my connections I’ve worked years for — to have it handed to them now instead of working for it. It’s a shame… that they still can’t apologize for any of it. So they stay clear of stopping by..it makes me sad to this day that they were untrustworthy. Go figure…
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Silverbox Secrets – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in Aveda hairstyling products. We provide haircuts, color, highlights, balayage, custom colors and conditioning treatments for men, & women. We offer special occasion hairstyling and airbrush makeup for any event that requires an exquisite feeling of beauty. Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthday’s, Senior Portraits, Family Photo Shoots, Maternity Shoots, Business Head-shots, Boudoir, Prom, Homecoming,
We like to get to know the person, have a report with them, create the look they are after. I take the time to listen to what they are trying to do. Sitting down and meeting before the event to discuss exactly how they want to look. If it’s the dress, or the hair that needs the accent then we try to customize the look for that particular thing.
I can guarantee, there is no one around who does business like I do. I have 27 years experience in working with the public. I know there’s no one who cares about their clients as much as I do. I know what we provide is unlike what some people are used to. We are not like the makeup counter… it’s so much better… in so many ways. It’s like flying first class. We use the good china and real silverware! lol (I used to be a flight attendant for Continental Airlines back in the day so… Customer service is HUGE… it is everything to me.)
I’m most proud of our resilience and ability to remain calm in many situations. I’m like the energizer bunny most of the time… it’s really hard for me to stop working. Or stop thinking about doing things differently to make it more enjoyable for the client. Should we have more magazines for men, or a TV on the wall… etc. Or keeping things less stressful on a wedding day, I constantly think outside the box. And if I can help someone with any issue like finding a last minute cupcake lady… I gotcha covered!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Right now, I’m focused on the Aveda products and getting some exceptional training they offer to our stylists under our belts. Getting our little intern started after the first of the year. And welcoming some new clients to our salon to relax and enjoy having their hair or makeup done.
Changes are always good though–I love change. I was a flight attendant for goodness sake so change of any kind is always fun… I’ll make sure of that!
Contact Info:
- Address: 111 Main Street Spring, TX 77373
- Website: www.silverboxsecrets.com
- Phone: 832-628-9060
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/silverboxsecrets
- Facebook: facebook.com/silverboxsecrets
Image Credit:
Derrick Bryant Photography & Erin Aliota Images
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
