EP# 193: Curls & Veils: Hayley Gregory's Journey at Deluxe on Depot

Good Neighbor Podcast: Tri-Cities

What makes Hayley Gregory with Deluxe on Depot a good neighbor?

Skip welcomes Hayley Gregory, the creative force behind Deluxe on Depot, a boutique salon nestled in historic downtown Greeneville. What begins as a conversation about hair styling quickly unfolds into a fascinating journey of career reinvention, artistic passion, and personal resilience.
Hayley shares how she transitioned from corporate fundraising to becoming a specialized stylist after making an unexpected connection between her gardening hobby and hair cutting. "Maybe cutting hair would be like cutting plants and shaping plants," she recalls thinking—a moment of insight that launched her thriving 20-year career. Today, she divides her time between serving local clients at her salon and traveling nationally as an educator for WeDot, teaching other stylists the art of cutting, coloring, and styling curly and bridal hair.
The conversation takes a revealing turn when Hayley discusses the growing challenge of meeting client expectations in the age of AI-filtered images. She offers practical advice for brides (book at least eight months ahead!) and explains how her business thrives through a blend of established vendor relationships, strategic partnerships with national brands, and the power of word-of-mouth from satisfied curly-haired clients who "stop someone on the street" to ask who cuts their hair.
Beyond her professional insights, Hayley opens up about overcoming cancer in recent years, using her platform to encourage health screenings, and her love for East Tennessee's outdoor offerings. Her story exemplifies how finding genuine passion in your work creates both professional success and personal fulfillment. "If you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life," Skip reflects—a sentiment that clearly resonates throughout Haley's remarkable journey.
Ready to experience personalized, interruption-free hair styling? Visit Hair by Deluxe.com to book your appointment and discover the difference that specialized expertise makes.

To learn more about Deluxe on Depot go to:

https://www.hairbydeluxe.com/

Deluxe on Depot

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Haley Gregory (00:00:00)

2. Teaching Curly Hair Nationwide (00:01:32)

3. Finding Career Passion Through Gardening (00:05:00)

4. Misconceptions in Hair Styling (00:08:00)

5. Business Marketing and Outdoor Life (00:10:40)

6. Overcoming Cancer and Final Thoughts (00:14:45)