Featured Chik: Barbara Paulo

We are excited to introduce you to Barbara Paulo, owner of Shear Xtreme! As a native to the Valley, Barbara has created an Easthampton haven for clients to feel welcomed, pampered and genuinely cared for. Pull up a chair and get to know Barbara more!

Tell us a bit about your company! What do you do? What is your mission? 
My mission always has been to inspire others to find their inner beauty and bring out the confidence to shine, share and love what they see. Beauty goes beyond the reflection. I share inspiration to be themselves and educate along the way in how to feel their best. Listening to our guests needs, creativity and artistry inspired Consult, Create, Craft~ a truly unique hair design which is my passion and art.

How did you get started with your business?
Some many years ago, 38 actually I began as an excited new stylist ready to explore the beauty world. Pounced onto my first job and dove right in. Education has always been the key to being focused, current and enthusiastic stylist. I became a educator for a color company. As my family grew and my career, I decided time to explore entrepreneurship in a different capacity and saw an opportunity to own a salon in beautiful Downtown Northampton.The location was the key! After more than 16 years in business Shear Xtreme has relocated to a smaller more manageable location in Easthampton. Change and grow. Today, even through a pandemic we change and grow. Experience, education and finding the right people to help you along the journey is important. Have a good supportive circle around you is the best advice I can share. And do what brings you joy and others will feel it too.

What do you feel is most important for others to know about your business?
I am here to help in whichever way I can to encourage beauty in your world. Feeling good makes it better. Consulting, creating and crafting still is the one way I can focus on listening to what you hope for with your beauty regime. Community love and lifting up others is my way of giving back as well.

How would you describe your leadership style?
 My leadership style is coach style or leadership. Doing business many different ways over the years, I have found nurturing ones strengths and building upon that the most effective way to see each ones area of expertise. Using this we can build a stronger team and get the work done. Encouraging them to try new things and always be their biggest cheerleader by acknowledging those successes. Recognition and Teamwork, I love.

When you were growing up, what is your ultimate dream job? If it's this, how does it feel to have met your dream?! If it was something different, how did your dream change over time? 
Well as you can imagine... I love the fashion beauty industry. I played dress up and make up all the time. Even loved to sing on the picnic table with a brush in hand (as a mic). Lol My passion went way back always playing with my Barbie dolls and dressing the up, having fashion shows and of course doing their hair. My dream became a reality as I own my own business creating beauty for all who sit in my chair, consult with me and learn they can be beautiful too in and out. Beautiful kindness goes a long way.

Every business owner faces challenges. How are you empowered to overcome yours? 
My challenge over the years has been changing with the times and the realization that change is good. So many seasons for change with the people you work with, the education needed to up your game, the network of incredible support to technological progress.... the season fluctuate and being adaptable to those changes is important. Having the insight to overcome and empower has strengthened me to embrace the changes and reform to better the business, my guest experience and what works along the journey. Communication, listening and reevaluation works wonders. Being open to change and implementing.

Tell us (in one word) how you would describe your boss-chik business! 
BeYOUtiful

Anything else we should know about you, your business, or just a fun fact?! 
I love to elevate others in all areas of life specifically in beauty, wellness and education and in business.

Where you can find her:
Website | Facebook | Instagram