We had the good fortune of connecting with Cass Griggs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cass, let’s start with a hypothetical. What advice would you give to someone facing insurmountable odds?
Oxford English Dictionary defines insurmountable as follows: adjective too great to be overcome. “an insurmountable problem” .. My advice comes from a collection of the departed wisdom bestowed upon me by others. A combination of motivations, inspirations, self searching, an endless stream of helpful quotes, nature, music, lyrics, self-help books, exercises (both physical and mental), the ongoing analysis of our life experiences and the assurance that when we are aligned with our life purpose everything is exactly as it should be. If the odds are truly insurmountable, “you gotta know when to fold them” as Kenny Rodgers sings. If you’re not ready to fold, the odds are probably not as insurmountable as you had thought. Breaking down your BIG DREAMS into little accomplishments is how you get the job done!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ha! What a loaded series of questions.. I opened Belle Starr Salon in 2015. think the thing that sets us apart from Other salons is our true commitment to put the community first. The support of our community is the skin, bones, blood, and necessary organs to the success of Belle Starr Salon. This hasn’t always been easy as I have struggled many times to put my financial worries at ease with my faith in the greater good. Our financial status has never defined our versions of success, yet simultaneously, money is mandatory to grow a business. The biggest takeaway I’ve gotten from all of this is that energy is currency and truly invaluable, so that is what I choose to focus on. I want the world to know that we care. A lot. For reals.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok! Bestie has just arrived. First of all, how great is our Tucson Airport?! They have undergone recent renovation and taken innovative steps towards supporting our economy by featuring our very own local artists, restaurants, and curated goods. Now, speaking of restaurants, let’s grab an appetizer at American Eat Co. which is just sooooo cooool! Basically, a stand alone food court and venue that is local as it gets! Then, we’ll stop by Saint Charles Tavern, the best watering hole in South Tucson. We’ll get our bevs to go and head over to Rollie’s Patio where our tastebuds will explode with Sonoran inspired excitement! We’ll pile our stuffed bodies back in the car and take a drive up A Mountain where we’ll imagine the first natives looking out on a city that didn’t yet sparkle with electricity and moving headlights, but we’ll think all the twinklings are really beautiful and we’ll make plans for the rest of the trip. Upon arrival to home, we will pull an all nighter binge watching EVERY Tucson referenced Movie or TV show.. ( Can’t Buy Me Love, Romy and Michelle’s Highschool reunion, Public Enemies…) Breakfast at The Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress (where Jon Dillinger was captured) a cruise around 4th ave/Congress, where a combination of my own memories and stories that I’ve adopted take over the narrative of life on these streets.. boogie over to San Javier for a fry bread and a moment of meditation, we’ll scooch over to Tumamoc Hill and “hike” off some of these aforementioned calories; make a mental list of local shops and thrift stores we want to hit up… (buffalo exchange, Batea Boutique, ElBe Goods, The Ninth House Shop, Tucson Thrift, Creative Kind, Mildred and Dildred) maybe talk about a quick trip to Tombstone/Bisbee.. the options are endless in the Wild West, the sun is shining, the sky is big and blue, it’s quite the room with a view.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, my shout-out would definitely be cut off mid TRL style screaming!!! Hiii!!! I want to thank my parents for giving me life, my grandparents Tex and Sylvia for helping raise me up country, my siblings for making my childhood so amazing esp my lil Ripsy and Big Chadbro, my 4-H leaders, my soccer coaches, my teachers, My Man, allllllllllll my friends no matter how much time we’ve spent together because I honestly love each and every one of you, huge thanks to all my stylist comrades who make our industry the best industry in my biased opinion, thanks to all the hungry newcomers whose goals and dreams continue to feed the bigger picture, thank you to the universe for taking such phenomenal care of all of us… did the music get qued for me to wrap it up yet…

Website: Www.bellestarrsalon@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellestarrsalon/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bellestarrsalon/
Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/belle-starr-salon-tucson
Other: https://onegirlcan.com/

Image Credits
Mariah Alysza @ryapie.pictures