Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Bauer.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started in Manhattan Beach at Bob Roy salon. I was sent there by my current boss to fix my messed up box-dyed hair. After becoming best friends with some of the girls there, I went to school and I eventually became a stylist there. I had been given the entrepreneur bug as a young kid. My stepdad Dave, always talked about “Not working for the man”. That stuck with me growing up. I worked so many jobs until I went to hair school, ticket broker, retail, loan mod sales going door to door, restaurants, I did the accounting books for friends, just to name a few. I got a taste of everything and every type of leadership. I think opening up my own salon was always going to happen, even though I didn’t really know it at the time. I opened Beck + Brix in Hermosa Beach in 2018. Im so grateful for the love and support that the South Bay community, friends, acquaintances, clients, stylists, etc… have shown me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been 4.5 years, and I would say given the last couple of years of Covid, it’s about as smooth as you can expect.
2020 was obviously hard, 2021 wasn’t very easy either. I struggled with anxiety about being in charge with different kinds of issues that covid brought. I had to constantly ask myself, while making important decisions, if this is the right thing to do, and then trust my gut. I focused on what was important to me and the team. 2022 has had its own challenges also… In some ways, I think this year has been the hardest so far. I don’t know if it’s all about the salon, or just that my kids also require a lot more of my attention as they are getting older and I want to be there for everything. Working on balance.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own a hair salon in downtown Hermosa Beach, but I also am a stylist on the floor. I think behind the chair I am known for my speed. It might sound weird that that’s a specialty but clients, that are busy and can’t necessarily sit for hours gravitate to me.
As a business owner, I just keep adapting. Ive grown my shop from a hair salon to a hair salon and gift shop. Clients and people off street can call it a One Stop Shop. The thing that makes me love what I do is the people. I love the clients and I love our team! We have such a great thing going, it’s a big family. And if I helped make that or had a part in that I’m proud of it. What sets us apart is the vibe. Come in and hang out and see for yourself.
What do you think about happiness?
So many things make me happy! Family is everything to me. The salon is named after my boys Becken 7 and Brixton 5. They keep me and my husband, Wes busy, but I love it. I’m also happy when I walk into my salon and its bustling and lively, and I see new and familiar faces.
My happy day off since I am working on balance… Would start with walking my kids to school. Then I would meet my competitive girlfriends for a great game of pickleball, followed by one of our favorite lunch spots in Manhattan or Hermosa. It’s that whole work hard, play hard thing…
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beckandbrix.com
- Instagram: @beckandbrix
Image Credits
Kimber Brown – Kimber Collective
