Sess Lee Cannon, owner and founder of Flourish Curls Salon in Arlington, Texas, has turned her love for hairstyling into a thriving business. Her salon broke $1 million in annual revenue in 2023, marking a significant milestone in her career. Cannon’s success story is even more remarkable given that she works just three days a week and achieved this without a bachelor’s degree.
From Customer Service to Curls: A Hairstylist’s Journey
Cannon’s path to success began in 2007 during a tattoo session. After giving a friend a haircut that impressed the tattoo artist, she started to consider a career in hairstyling. At the time, Cannon had left Monmouth College due to pregnancy and was working in customer service at Maui Jim.
“Having a strong social media community helped a lot,” Cannon explained. “There’s also not a ton of salons that specialize in curly and natural hair in our neighborhood.”
Following her passion, Cannon enrolled in a cosmetology program at Regency Beauty Institute in Peoria, Illinois. She completed her training in 18 months, earning her license in 2009.
Building a Brand: From Home Salon to $1 Million Empire
Cannon’s career began modestly, working from home and part-time at a local salon specializing in natural hair. Her unique background, being of both black and white heritage, made her popular among biracial clients and those with curly hair.
Leveraging social media, particularly Facebook, Cannon showcased her work. She posted photos and videos of her hairstyling transformations, rapidly building a client base. In her first year, she earned nearly $30,000.
Flourishing Curls: A Salon Dedicated to Natural Beauty
In 2016, Cannon took a bold step. She moved to Arlington, Texas, and invested $50,000 of her savings to establish Flourish Curls. The salon, dedicated to natural and curly hair, quickly gained popularity thanks to Cannon’s strong social media presence and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Today, Flourish Curls employs 11 stylists, including Cannon herself. The salon’s success is partly due to its specialization in curly and natural hair, a niche that many cosmetology schools and salons overlook.
Breaking Barriers in the Salon Industry
Cannon’s success is particularly noteworthy as she’s one of the few successful Black entrepreneurs in the salon industry. Despite facing systemic challenges, she’s managed to bring in millions in revenue.
Her journey from a customer service role to a successful salon owner demonstrates the power of passion, hard work, and strategic use of social media. Cannon’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those without traditional educational backgrounds.
