Interview with Megan Wright IAT –Author of ‘Your Salon Success’
1. What is your book about and why did you write it?
Your Salon Success -12 Step Blueprint to Unlocking Profit Potential was written and published in 2016 after spending a fabulous weekend at the November 2016 Ultimate 48 Hour Author Retreat.
I was inspired to create a book dedicated to the hair and beauty industry I have been part of for the past 30 years.
Hair and beauty specialists are passionate people and love helping their clients, but often when it comes to running a successful and profitable salon business, there is little to no experience or underpinning knowledge to the expectations and responsibility of establishing a secure business.
Very often a hairdresser will qualify, leave their job, and open their salon business.
Your Salon Success is the book I wish I had when I first began my salon business. It is a step-by-step success guide to make your business profitable.
I have shared my mistakes as well as the success strategies I implemented throughout the book by sharing how I bought a bankrupt salon business and turned over $1M within 8 years.
2. What was your biggest challenge in deciding to write your first book?
I have always known I wanted to write a book but really had no idea where to start, how to find a publisher and all the legalities involved in the mechanics of the process…until I attended an Ultimate 48 Hour Author workshop.
One of the other inhibiting factors was the fact that I thought I was not good enough and who would want to read anything I write.
Negative self-talk can inhibit many people including myself, so I never actually believed I would be able to write, publish and sell a book.
3. Who were your biggest doubters and has their opinion changed now that you are published?
Once I made the decision to participate in the program, my mind was made up. I am an incredibly determined person who likes to move quickly.
My family has always been supportive of my decisions, and they sort of know that once Megan’s mind is made up, I will do it anyway. So, they may as well sit back and enjoy the show!
The only negative person was a significant in-law who laughed in my face when I told them I was going to write a book. Hurtful, but bloody motivating…!
Has their opinion changed? Hell yes…
4. Why did you decide to do the Ultimate 48 Hour Author Program for your first book?
There are several reasons I decided to create my book using the Ultimate 48 Hour Author program. Firstly, it is fool proof. What I mean by that is, you are provided with the most amazing support in every way for the entire journey.
The actual process is straightforward and easy to follow. The publisher is provided along with editing, photoshoot for the front cover, ISBN, eBook along with a certain number of paperback copies and a combined book launch …everything you could think of is provided.
As I mentioned before, I do things fast and to be provided with a platform where I can do all the hard stuff in 48 hours was a no-brainer for me.
Before you attend the retreat, you are included in a private group and get a chance to meet with the people you will be starting your book journey with. This experience is just so valuable because, in my situation, that negative self-doubt sneaks in and tries to talk you out of continuing.
I found that by having this group, I was not the only one who had these feelings. When we finally arrived at the retreat, it was like catching up with old friends even though we had never physically met before.
The feeling I got from this retreat program is one of safety.
5. What is your best piece of advice you can share with a first-time author?
The best piece of advice I could possibly give someone who is thinking about writing their first book is to be brave. It is easy to make excuses like it is too expensive, I have not got the time, etc. but when it comes down to it, I believe that everyone has a story which is as valid as the next persons.
Be brave, step out of your comfort zone and change your life.
6. What has happened now that your first book is out?
Writing my first book has literally changed my life in ways that I could never have imagined.
Since I launched Your Salon Success in 2016, I have been invited to co-author 6 other books to date. ‘Unstoppable Woman of Purpose’ Anthology and companion Workbook was launched in May 2017, and it is an anthology of powerful women from around the world, who have stood in that face of adversity and dared to be brave. My chapter in this book is called ‘My life in full colour’, which is a chapter dedicated to my journey through post-natal depression, which is a story I thought I would never share.
‘Healthy Body' was launched in October 2017 and this book is a collaboration of 10 of Australia's leading allied healthcare specialists all contributing a chapter on their individual modality. My Chapter is Called ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Hair' and is based on my modality which is Trichology (I am a hair and scalp specialist). Healthy body is an easy to read, no medical jargon, book which provides advice and help to those looking to optimise their lives.
In June 2018, a book called ‘Hairy Tales’ was launched in Washington. This book is written by 56 Trichologists from around the world and compiled by David Salinger IAT. David is the managing director of the International Association of Trichologists and the purpose of Hairy Tales is to share the journey and stories of trichologists from all over the world.
In October 2018, I published my second book called ‘Healthy Hair Secrets, the ultimate guide to hair health’. This one is my most favourite because I did it all on my own from start to finish.
The idea behind this hair bible is to provide information to the broader community based on all the questions hairdressers, Trichologists and clients have…and even some you didn’t know you had!
7. Will you be writing more books in the future?
As I mentioned earlier, since publishing my first book, my life has never been more exciting.
I have been invited to speak both nationally and internationally on individual forums, Hair and Beauty Business management as well as to Medical Practitioners and allied health members of the International Association of Trichologists.
Since launching Your Salon Success in 2016, I have sold my books in 7 countries around the world.
Will I write more books…? I can’t stop…!
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