When I Stopped Chasing the Old Version of Success
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By Lauren Byrne
Co-Owner of My Biz Niche and Hair Street
I’m Lauren Byrne, co-owner of My Biz Niche and Hair Street, and I started as a hairstylist, where a full booking was the only proof of success. Living that every day made me realize that success could mean more than that.
When Did Success Stop Meaning the Same Thing for You?
Success stopped meaning the same thing when I realized I was doing everything I was supposed to do, but my days were already spoken for. My calendar was booked weeks ahead, clients kept coming back, and people trusted my work, so things were going well.
At the same time, I could see that no matter how much better I got, the shape of
my work wasn’t really changing.
It wasn’t burnout that changed things for me. It was paying attention. Even as I got better and busier, nothing about the setup changed. I could add more appointments or raise my prices, but it never really went beyond that.
That’s when success started to feel different. I already knew I could do the work well. The bigger question became whether I had control over where that work was going. Stepping away from the chair gave me the chance to build something rather than just meet expectations.
How Do Women Measure Wins Differently Today?
Women measure wins today by how a decision feels once they’re done with it. A win is making a call, like choosing a client or setting a boundary, and feeling calm about it later that day. When a choice doesn’t linger in your head or make you want to revisit it, that’s how you know it counts.
I really felt this change when I was looking over a new partner for My Biz Niche. I spent the day thinking about how we would work together every week, and once I made my choice, I just closed my laptop.
I did not spend the night worrying or wondering if I should have done something else. It felt just like those times in the salon when you know a haircut is perfect before you even put your scissors down. That feeling of "this is right" is the best win there is.
What Internal Win Mattered Most in Your Journey?
My biggest win was finally trusting my gut as a business owner as much as I trusted my hands behind the chair. For years, I knew exactly what to do with a pair of shears, but the business side felt different. I made my choice the day I closed my appointment book for good. It was scary to stop doing what felt safe, but it was the only way to go all-in on My Biz Niche and Hair Street.
At that time, the agency was just starting to pick up speed. I knew I could always go back to the salon and fill my schedule instantly. My clients were ready to book, and that paycheck was guaranteed. Instead, I chose to sit with the business's uncertainty.
I spent my time building our services and planning for the long haul, even when the results didn't show up right away. Choosing to stay the course when I could have easily run back to my comfort zone, that was the real victory.
Success stopped being about staying busy and became about knowing where I was headed.
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