Lifestyle
Shannon Van Fleet's Redken Artist Journey
Redken Artist Shannon Van Fleet is a content creating extraordinaire, from taking part in Redken social media events like Beautycon and NYX Face Awards, to being a member of the Redken Artist Content Creator group. Read on to learn how this busy mom from the midwest balances everything from being behind the chair to broadcasting her tips for fellow hairdressers on platforms like YouTube!
Q: Shannon, so great to chat with you today! For those of us who haven't checked out your channels yet or had the pleasure to meet you, tell us a bit about yourself!
A: I'm Redken Artist Shannon Van Fleet. I'm basically from the middle of nowhere, Illinois, from a town of about 2,000 people. I work in a booth rental salon with about four other stylists – lots of down home, small-town vibes! I work in the salon three days a week, and at the beginning of the week, I'm either traveling for Redken, teaching at salons, working on my bridal business, or creating content for my online channels. That means anything from recording videos for YouTube and capturing photos for Instagram to writing blog posts. I keep busy!
Q: How did you become a part of the Redken Artist network and when did you join?
A: I wanted to join in the 2015 group – I made my video [to apply], got everything ready, and then I scrapped it. I wasn't confident enough in it, and I didn't think that I was going to do well. I psyched myself out and decided not to go through with it for that group. In 2016, I felt really ready, I fine-tuned my video and demo, and so I felt prepared enough to apply. I made it and found out in April of 2016! The first phase of induction was in August 2016, the second in October, with the final phase in November of 2016.
Q: What's your favorite thing about being a Redken Artist?
A: Being from a small town, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to travel all over, meet industry leaders, work big events, and acquire specialized training for my own development such as the social media training. I love making local connections as well, meeting salons and helping their staff discover new techniques.
Q: You've had quite the year! Tell us a bit about how you became a part of events like Beautycon, Symposium, and the NYX Face Awards!
A: I had such a great time at Symposium, creating content around the classes and the concert-- it was all so fun! I left inspired and feeling like I had made the right decision - I never would have gotten that opportunity had I not been a part of the Redken Artist Network.
Beautycon NY was the first big event I got to work and I was so excited, it was the funnest day of my life! I literally called my husband right after wards and said, "This is what I want to do, these are my people, I LOVE the attendees, I love the show environment, I love working the booth," - it was just so much fun! After that, I got invited back for the NYX Face Awards and it was another amazing experience! I think people could see just how much joy I had from being a part of Beautycon that it opened the doors for participation in the NYX Face Awards."
Q: Shannon, you're such a social media pro! Describe what people can see when they first look at your social media profiles, and what are your tips to capturing really good content?
A: I want my feed to be viewed as a visual representation of my bio. In my bio, it says that I am an educator, so I want my feed to reflect that visually, by sharing product posts, swatches, and experiments. I want people to see that I have expert knowledge behind me, that they can trust what I'm saying, and that I am relatable behind the chair.
My tip for stylists is that if they have a free day or half a day, try to capture a lot of content that day and spread it out. I'm very intentional about what I post and use an app called UNUM to plan and layout my feed. I rarely post in real-time – I'm a planner.
Q: If you had to choose one Redken product to pack in your kit, what would it be?
A: I would absolutely pack Pillow Proof 2-Day Extender. I'm in love with the new scent! I know I'm only supposed to pick one, but I love Diamond Oil Glow Dry, too! I use Pillow Proof on my roots and Diamond Oil on my ends. I have to pack those two!
Q: If there was one piece of advice you could share to aspiring artists, what would it be?
A: Just do it. Take the jump and do it. It won't hurt you, don't worry about the time or the money it will take if it's something that you really want to do. The time is going to pass regardless and the money is an investment into your future and will come back to you eventually.
Feeling inspired by Shannon's story? Find her on Instagram at @shannonvanfleet.
