We had the good fortune of connecting with Gretchen McCants and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Gretchen, what do you attribute your success to?
I feel the most important factor behind my businesses is that I am able to adapt and roll with the punches. I have learned so much through trial and error that I don’t feel defeated (like I used to) when something didn’t go as planned. I love the quote “you are the average of the 5 people you around most”. In business, surround yourself with the best people and support system. Some of the best advice I give to people starting out as business owners is: fire fast and hire slow. be intention and follow your gut. do things that are right even when things go unplanned. give grace where needed but dont be a doormat. and its none of my business what I think others think of me. These have all been life lessons I have learned along the way.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have been in the beauty industry for over 6 years now. I was working at a bank 8-5 and was always the top performing employee. I never felt like my soul was fulfilled and felt like I was in the constant work loop. I was working so hard to be barely making it by. All I ever wanted was to be able to make a difference in the world and be genuinely happy.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Behind any successful person there is a village supporting them. I am so blessed to have the best support system I could ask for. First, my husband David, helped grow our businesses. Whether its running payroll, moving warehouses, holding the fort down late nights with the kids, or listening to my endless ideas at 2 in the morning. He has always been aside me, supporting me, even with my most crazy ideas. Raising three girls and running multiple businesses, I couldn’t ask for a better man to be on this crazy ride with me .
My mom, Stacy, has always instilled such work ethic and entrepreneurship principles into my life. I remember needing to raise money for an exchange program in high school. She helped me every single weekend selling hair bows at our local farmers market. She never let me skip a weekend and always encouraged me to push through. She has always pushed me beyond whatever I thought I was capable of and instilling deep hard work values. She raised me as a single mama (even tho she hates that phrase) and never let us go without. Now as an adult and a mother, I can see what she sacrificed to ensure I had the right tools to build my life and I truly couldn’t ask for a better mama.
Growing up, my grandfather, Ed, was a huge mentor to me growing up. He is a very successful business man and I always payed close attention to how he handled his business, employees, finances, investments, etc. Although the beauty industry isn’t his niche, he taught me so many core work ethics and work strategies that I use every day. I remember as a child, I couldn’t wait to sit at our cabin kitchen table and be able to talk business with him and talk about my business success. I love having him to call and ask advice too, he’s influenced a lot of my decisions.