Why You Need to Be Ready to Pivot as a First-Time Business Owner | Guest Blog

Why You Need to Be Ready to Pivot as a First-Time Business Owner | Guest Blog By Lauren, Owner of Gezellig Salon I thought I did everything right before opening my business. I had a plan, I had guidance, and I felt prepared. What I didn’t expect was how quickly I would have to change that plan.

At 26 years old, with 8 years of experience as a hairstylist and a lifelong dream of owning a salon, I truly believed I had done everything I was supposed to do. I worked one-on-one with a salon coach, took business classes, studied how to open and run a salon, and poured so much energy into branding and creating a vibe I had never experienced in a salon before. I thought I was different. I thought I was prepared.

Going back into the salon after the 2020 shutdown was a turning point for me. Everything felt different. The environment felt rushed, chaotic, and honestly a little uncomfortable. It didn’t feel like the industry I had fallen in love with anymore.

That’s when the idea really clicked. I didn’t just want to work in a salon, I wanted to create a different kind of experience. Something calm, cozy, and intentional. A space where clients could actually relax, and where the team working there would feel taken care of too.

I had my life savings, and I believed in myself, so I thought, I can do this.

In October 2020, I found a small commercial space in Roxborough, the neighborhood where I had built my clientele. I signed the lease, paid first, last, and security, hired a contractor, and got to work. By January 2021, Gezellig Salon was open!

Opening the salon is one thing, but running it day in and day out is another.

I quickly realized my dream wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought. I was a booked and busy stylist, which was amazing, no complaints there, but I was also now a business owner. I had to learn things no one really prepares you for, like taxes, payroll, hiring, and handling unexpected issues like the heat or air not working when you need it most.

My first hire was a friend. I thought it was going to be incredible and that we would be unstoppable, but unfortunately it didn’t work out the way I had hoped. That experience made me take a step back and realize I needed more structure and intention when it came to hiring.

Experts say that the first year of owning a business is the hardest, and in my experience, that’s true (unfortunately)

Before the end of my first year, I had dealt with multiple vandalism incidents at my salon, went through a personal situation that required me to take time away from work, and even lost my Instagram pages that had helped build my business grow, with no explanation! It felt like everything was hitting at once.

At that point, I had a decision to make. I could stay where I was and try to push through, or I could pivot

I chose to pivot.

I decided to relocate and give my business a fresh start in a new area. That decision meant my original business plan no longer applied. I had to create a new plan, a new budget, and take out a small business loan to build out a new space.

This time, I approached things differently. I decided to open a salon suite location, where I could still run my own salon while also creating opportunities for other stylists to have a space of their own. Creating a positive work environment has always been important to me, so this felt like a natural next step for my business. Thus, Evolve Studio Modern Salon Suites was born.

Now you might be thinking, okay great, you expanded your business, took a leap of faith, and everything worked out, right?

Well, yes… but it took one more big pivot.

My salon suites didn’t fill up as quickly as I had hoped. After about a year, I had one room filled and one sitting empty. Instead of forcing something that wasn’t working, I took a step back and started brainstorming with people I trust.

That’s when the idea came up to turn the extra room into a head spa.

At the time, head spas were starting to gain traction online, but there wasn’t anything like it in my area. I had to figure everything out on my own. I created my own service flow, ordered equipment and products through trial and error, and built the experience from the ground up.

And once it was set up, it was clear this was the right move for my business.

If I had let the challenges of my first year stop me, I might have closed my business and none of this would exist today.

Instead, I chose to stick through it and pivot. Because of that, I now have a thriving salon and head spa that is still growing and evolving. In the summer of 2025, our head spa went viral on TikTok and my business boomed! It was completely unexpected, but it felt like one of those full circle moments. After years of hard work, it finally felt like, “okay… it’s my turn.”

That momentum led to more recognition locally, including being featured on Fox 29 after they found us on TikTok and came into the salon for a live segment (so cool!).

Looking back, none of this came from everything going according to plan. It came from adjusting, learning, and continuing to move forward even when things felt uncertain.

If you’re in a hard season in your business right now, this is your reminder to keep going. The challenges you’re facing are not signs that you’re failing. They’re opportunities to pivot.

I’ve also learned how valuable it is to have support as a business owner. Being part of a community like Mango Members, where women-owned businesses connect and share real experiences, can make navigating those pivots a lot less overwhelming.

Pivots are not failures. They are how you learn, grow, and build something better than you originally planned.

Lauren is a hairstylist, salon owner, and educator behind Gezellig Salon & Head Spa in Ardmore, PA. She’s passionate about creating a calm, cozy salon experience and helping other stylists grow through her head spa education. You can learn more at www.gezelligsalonphilly.com or follow her on Instagram and TikTok  @the.courageous.stylist