LEONARDTOWN, Md. – As Women’s History Month is coming to an end, TheBayNet wanted to share a local success story from two women who have given so much to the community and exemplify what young women can accomplish for the future,
Karyn Hudson and April Woodburn own S-Kape Salon & Spa in Leonardtown. It’s a business that has thrived throughout the years because of the ownership, management, and dreams of these women. Both ladies have had industry experience over 20 years and are known for their expertise and uplifting personalities.
It was a long road, so we asked them about their journeys that brought them to this point.
Hudson recalls, “I grew up in PG County and moved to this area when I was in grade school. I had a lot of ideas growing up about who and what I wanted to become, finally landing on this line of business.”
“My original dream was to never have a large business, it just happened somehow. When someone refers to me as an entrepreneur, I remind them that I wish I was, but that title is for people who have a new idea. I just took what I was good at and taught others how to do the same. I love teaching others to take charge, know their worth, and that you can make a great living doing what you love. We set goals with our team members and coach them monthly on various KPIs to make a good living.”
She concluded with, “It’s funny because I never worked for men, always women, so I have had a lot of female leaders in my life. My favorite quote is, ‘You cannot grow what you do not measure’ and I’d like to believe that I live by those standards.”
Woodburn was born and raised most of her life in St. Marys County. Her stepfather was military so she spent most of her elementary school years in Virginia Beach.
“Since I can remember, I always had a passion for hair. I remember being about four or five years old putting barrettes in my grandfather’s hair and painting his toenails while he was sleeping…” she laughed. “He let me!”
“When I was young, I was told many times I shouldn’t be a hairstylist because I wouldn’t make a good living doing it. But when I was styling hair I was happiest. I discovered it’s not just ‘doing hair,’ it’s making people feel their best not just on the outside but on the inside too. Hair styling isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. Thankfully when I entered the industry as a shampoo girl, I was hired by Karyn Hudson, who has mentored me all the way through my career, from being a ‘shampoo girl’, stylist, manager and now we’re partners!”
Their advice to young women who want to become leaders?
“Women carry so much on our shoulders; it’s more important than ever that we have women role models who have compassion and understanding for our female workforce. We want to be and do all the things and it can be exhausting! We want to be good at everything from being a great coworker, friend, mom, daughter, wife, homemaker – the list goes on – and we have to fit self-care in there too! Having female leadership in our community that can cheer each other on and encourage and support one another is truly essential.”
“Our advice to any woman who aspires to lead is to constantly seek personal and leadership development. It’s important that we are grounded so that we can be the best person we can be to foster those we lead. We’re constantly trying to balance this! There isn’t one human on earth that is the same, so the more we learn about ourselves and others’ communication styles, the better we can be open-minded to the ever-changing world. Never stop learning!”
To visit S-Kape Salon or follow them on social media, click here: https://www.facebook.com/SKapesalonandSpa
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com