BIO:For more than a decade, Andi has been creating beauty in Santa Monica, California, working in industry education with major manufacturers and co-creating a boutique collective-style salon space called Framed. In her unique view into the inner workings of the beauty industry, she noticed there was a conversations was having both in the classroom and salon-- and it had way more to do with the humans BEING in her chair than the techniques she practiced. One thing became evident: There is WAY more happening here than just a haircut.

In 2007, Andi began practicing Reiki, which was only the start of her spiritual journey. After enrolling in the University of Santa Monica's Spiritual Psychology program, she was lead down a sometimes surprising road to additional courses of study including Shamanism and Mystical Christianity, as well as dream interpretation, intuitive mentorships, breath-work, sound healing, and practice of native rituals; a list which continues to expand. These years of learning and self-exploration have served to curate a rare perspective and special skill set to share. In the launch of CrownWorks, an opportunity arises to give space to the emotional and spiritual needs of clients and fellow stylists, bringing ceremony back into their beauty ritual.

What do you love most about your business?

I love the fact that I can honestly say I’m in hundreds of deep, meaningful, relationships.

Tell us about the journey of how you built your business. How many years did it take you to get to where you are today?

Where am I today? Haha! My business has changed so much over the 15 years I’ve been behind my chair. It took me the first few years just to be able to pay bills with my craft. No one tells you that once you graduate beauty school, you have to figure out how to do hair. Statistically, about 70% of people who enroll in cosmetology school won’t be working in that field after the first two years. It’s challenging at first. Like any client based business, it takes time to grow, and you live on hustle and hairspray for a while. I am able to explore the current incarnation of my salon life because of the amazing space we’ve created over the last four years at Framed Salon. It took a lot of learning-- not only about the beauty industry, but who I wanted to be in it-- a lot of trial and error-- walking up and peeking through many different doors before I found the room I really wanted to be in. And it didn’t exist; we had to build it. And just like any relationship, it takes work to maintain it and commitment and flexibility to continue to evolve together. There is no road map for being an entrepreneur, and I found little joy or glory when I tried to go it alone. There is no way I would be brave enough to stand up and share the truths I am most passionate about if it weren't for the support and encouragement of my salon team and my clientele. Most of what I know about unconditional love I’ve learned inside those walls.

What words of advice can you give other women entrepreneurs?

If you want to start a business, make sure you are in love with the bigger picture of the community you serve. Like any romance, it will undoubtedly change as you do. If you want longevity, fall for the industry, not just the product or service. That way you’ll always have room to expand, different interests to pursue, and all the phases of your life will only serve to enrich your experience and diversify what you have to offer as time marches on.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Coming this Summer:

Thrilled to announce the launch of my CrownWorks mentorship program this July, focused on supporting beauty industry professionals integrating holistic services and whole-being beauty into their existing businesses.