Today we’d like to introduce you to Casie Shires.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my career in cosmetology school through the Center of Applied Technologies. After graduating, I earned my cosmetology license and began working in several salons in the area, including Robert Andrew’s Salon & Spa in Gambrills.
Eventually, I decided to switch paths and enter the medical field. At the time, I was a young mom and hoped a career change would give me more freedom and allow me to spend weekends at my son’s sporting events. Even while working in the medical field, I continued servicing my loyal salon clients on the weekends.
After a couple of decades, welcoming another baby, navigating a few surgeries, and living through Covid, I realized the medical field was no longer the right fit for me. The long hours, lack of flexibility, and not being paid what I felt I deserved—combined with going through a divorce—made it clear that it was time for a change.
That’s when I discovered a small salon in Glen Burnie that I never even knew existed. The owner was looking to retire and sell the business. Taking that leap was terrifying—I truly thought I might fail. But I decided to bet on myself.
I quit my job and began working in the salon to get to know the existing clients while also transitioning my own clients from my small home salon suite into the shop. Soon after, I purchased the business. Within just two weeks, I completely remodeled the salon and officially took over.
Three years later, the salon is thriving. I continue to welcome new clients and have added an incredible barber and hairstylist to my team.
My kids—now 23 and 14—are my biggest cheerleaders. I also couldn’t have done this without the support of my parents and my sister. My sister, an incredibly talented artist and business owner herself, helped bring my vision to life by creating my logos, website, designing the decor, and even making all of my signs.
Owning this salon has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys of my life, and I’m so grateful for the clients, family, and team that made it possible.
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?
I would say my biggest challenge would have been during the process of purchasing the salon and the remodel, I was going through a terrible separation that resulted in protection orders, removal of my significant other from my home, and court dates all while healing from having surgical procedures.
Even though it was supposed to be an exciting time for me, it was met with chaos and I persevered through all of that and realized MY salon was my silver lining. It was my distraction, and became one of my biggest achievements!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Clients always say “there isn’t anything she can’t do”! I mean there is, but I’m always willing to educate myself and learn whatever it is I need to know to be able to do it!
Color is probably my favorite services! My clients hair is my canvas, and it’s where I feel I can most creative. .
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is so much more than having a full schedule or making a certain amount of money. Of course, making a living doing what I love matters, but the real success is what I’ve built along the way.
After 27 years behind the chair, I’ve learned that people remember how you make them feel just as much as they remember their hair. I want my salon to be a place where clients can walk through the door, take a breath, laugh, talk about life, and feel completely comfortable being themselves. When someone leaves feeling beautiful, confident, and maybe even a little happier than when they came in, that’s success to me.
I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve created something that is truly my own. The Beauty Bar by Casie Lynn reflects my personality, my work ethic, and the kind of experience I want to give my clients. I’ve worked hard to build a business where I can continue growing without losing the personal connection that made me fall in love with this industry in the first place.
Success, to me, is being able to look around my salon and know that I built this. It’s having clients who have trusted me for years, new clients who become part of my salon family, and the freedom to keep doing what I love on my own terms.
If I can make people feel beautiful, make them laugh, give them a little confidence boost, and go home at the end of the day knowing I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be—that’s success.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $40-$65
- Color services start at $100
- Highlights start at $150
- Perms $100
- Blowouts $40-$65
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebeautybarhair..com
- Facebook: The Beauty Bar by Casie Lynn
