Exploring Life & Business with Nathalie Shifferly of Styles & Success Management Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathalie Shifferly.

Hi Nathalie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in the salon industry began in a very unlikely place. I grew up in a rural area outside of a tiny village in Ohio, and traditional general education never resonated with me. I knew early on that I was wired differently, creative by nature, hands-on, and deeply connected to people. When I learned that my high school offered a vocational program where I could study cosmetology while earning my diploma, I jumped at the opportunity. I graduated high school with both my diploma and my cosmetology license, and I’ve now been in this industry for nearly 26 years. I truly can’t imagine myself in any other field.
At my core, I’m an artist, but even more than that, I’m a caretaker of people. Many don’t realize that standing behind the chair is about far more than hair, makeup, or nails. You’re touching someone’s spirit. You become a sounding board for their ideas, a safe place for their fears, a quiet therapist, and sometimes a friend in moments of loss. The beauty industry is intimate, emotional, and deeply human.
In 2015, my career took a pivotal turn. I was working in a traditional salon environment and was let go because I prioritized quality over quantity. That moment, while difficult, pushed me toward independence. I immediately opened my own space within Phenix Salon Suites, and within a year I had formed close relationships with the ownership. Tragically, one of the owners passed away suddenly, leaving the remaining partner responsible for operating multiple locations and preparing for additional expansion. I offered my expertise to help shoulder the burden.
What began as support quickly became full operational oversight. I managed leasing, contractors, construction, vendor relationships, and design, while also mentoring stylists and industry professionals on how to strengthen the business side of their careers. Many people don’t realize that our industry rarely teaches business fundamentals—especially how to build and sustain a successful salon suite model. I helped build out three additional locations, and during the COVID pandemic, I worked closely with tenants to help them stay safe, remain in business, and navigate critical relief programs such as PPP loans.
To me, this industry has never been just about beauty. It’s about connection. It’s about transformation, physical, emotional, and even spiritual. There is something incredibly powerful about witnessing someone walk into your space one way and leave feeling renewed. I believe this is a God-given gift, and one we are meant to share.
Today, I oversee operations across 16 locations within the Phenix Salon Suites network, working with different franchise owners and supporting them in areas ranging from staffing to full operational strategy. I also consult with other salon owners outside of Phenix, helping them improve systems, team dynamics, and overall performance. I lead a team of five, and our work is grounded in care, respect, and responsibility.
My passion for this industry runs deep. It began with my mother, who was a model, makeup artist, and aesthetician from France. I grew up immersed in this world, and it has been my pride and joy for as long as I can remember. Today, I have the privilege of helping others succeed, supporting them in staying driven, increasing profitability, and ultimately creating freedom in a world that often feels very restrictive. That is what brings me joy, and that is why I continue to do this work.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not. This path has been anything but easy.
Like many in this industry, I’ve faced instability, loss, and moments where I had to choose between staying silent or standing in my integrity. I’ve experienced leadership that lacked transparency, environments that valued speed over excellence, and situations where caring deeply about people came at a personal cost. I’ve also had to rebuild more than once—emotionally, professionally, and financially.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that being strong, capable, and reliable often means you’re the one carrying the weight when things fall apart. I’ve stepped into roles during moments of crisis, navigated sudden loss within leadership teams, and supported others while managing my own uncertainty behind the scenes. There were times when the future felt unclear and the responsibility felt heavy—but walking away was never an option.
I’ve also learned that this industry can be incredibly rewarding, yet unforgiving if boundaries aren’t clear. I had to grow into advocating for myself, trusting my discernment, and understanding that leadership doesn’t require self-sacrifice to the point of depletion. Learning when to give and when to protect my energy has been a critical part of my growth.
Through every challenge, my faith has grounded me. I truly believe God places us exactly where we’re meant to be, not to break us, but to refine us. Each struggle sharpened my clarity, strengthened my leadership, and deepened my compassion for the people I serve. I don’t lead from a place of theory; I lead from experience.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the difficult seasons. They shaped the way I show up today, with empathy, structure, integrity, and a deep understanding of what it truly takes to survive and succeed in this industry. The road wasn’t smooth, but it was purposeful.

We’ve been impressed with Styles & Success Management Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Styles & Success Management and Consulting was created to fill a gap I saw repeatedly in the salon industry, talented professionals and franchise owners who were passionate about their craft, but unsupported when it came to structure, leadership, and sustainable growth.
What sets us apart is that we don’t operate from theory, we operate from lived experience. I’ve stood behind the chair, I’ve built businesses from the ground up, and I’ve overseen multi-location operations through growth, transition, and crisis. That perspective allows me to bridge the gap between ownership, staff, and tenants in a way that creates alignment rather than tension.
For franchise owners, I provide hands-on operational oversight and strategic guidance. This includes improving systems, increasing profitability, strengthening leadership, supporting build-outs and vendor relationships, and ensuring brand standards are upheld without losing the human element. I help owners move out of daily overwhelm and into clarity, so they can lead effectively while their businesses run smoothly.
For tenants and independent professionals, I focus on longevity and freedom. Many stylists are incredibly skilled but were never taught how to run a business. I guide them in understanding their numbers, increasing income, managing expenses, positioning themselves professionally, and creating stability within an industry that can feel unpredictable. My goal is to help them build careers, not just survive month to month.
For the staff and teams I oversee, my approach is rooted in education, accountability, and respect. I don’t believe in micromanagement or fear-based leadership. I believe in setting clear expectations, reinforcing standards, offering support where it’s needed, and addressing issues before they become problems. When people feel seen, supported, and properly guided, performance naturally improves.
At the core of Styles & Success is a simple philosophy: care, respect, and responsibility. We care about people, we respect the work they do, and we take responsibility for creating environments where both businesses and individuals can thrive. This isn’t just consulting, it’s stewardship. And that’s what truly sets us apart.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would say my entire life has been defined by risk, but not impulsive risk. Thoughtful, necessary risk.
From a very young age, I learned that waiting for certainty often means never moving at all. Entering cosmetology while still in high school was a risk. Leaving traditional salon environments when they no longer aligned with my values was a risk. Stepping into ownership support and multi-location operations without a formal blueprint was a risk. Even choosing to lead with integrity in an industry that often prioritizes speed over substance has been a risk.
What I’ve learned over time is that growth rarely happens in comfort. Every meaningful expansion in my life, professionally and personally, has required me to step forward before the path was fully clear. I’ve trusted my instincts, my work ethic, and my faith, knowing that preparation and purpose matter more than guarantees.
I don’t take risks for the thrill of it. I take them when staying still would mean shrinking, compromising my values, or denying my potential. Risk, to me, is not about gambling—it’s about courage, responsibility, and choosing evolution over fear. And every time I’ve taken that leap, it has led me closer to the work I’m meant to do.

Pricing:

• 800 monthly leads management only
• 1500.00 monthly tier 1 basic level small scale
• 2500 monthly tier 2 medium over site 30-39 suites
• 3750 monthly tier 3 larger scale locations 40+suites
• 5000 monthly full scale operations management

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylesandsuccess?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylesandsuccess?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaliestyles?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
https://jesskphotography.mypixieset.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAO1yBZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaf3rDFlPruWDz2QMLkOoSELojuUDbzgA63Mry3PHkX2X4EAmBbDse99IyNqYw_aem_vIbVXz7JKb2uS7f7xZ2_oQ