By Doug Hare EBS SPORTS EDITOR
Hanna Powell grew up in Madison Valley, just on the
other side of Lone Mountain in Harrison and Ennis, Montana. After spending
eight years in Big Sky, snowboarding, mountain biking and performing as a
singer and musician, Hanna decided to follow her dream of being a hairstylist
and moved to San Francisco to attend the Cinta Aveda Institute.
After receiving both Cosmetology and Barbering
licenses, she returned to her native state to start her career in the hair
world. When opening Tribe Salon in the Meadow Village in 2017, Hanna’s main
objective was to discover her guests’ desires and provide optimal results to
enhance their natural beauty.
Explore Big
Sky: What has been the key to your success?
Hanna Powell: My
success is a direct reflection of how much pride I take in providing not only a
consistent service, but an experience to my clients that makes them feel great.
I feel successful when my clients walk out of Tribe Salon with a smile on their
face.
EBS: Do you
remember your first customer or first sale?
H.P.: Yes! A longtime
local, Nancy Long was my first guest. And bless her heart, was she ever patient
with me as I adapted to my new space! A big thanks to all my clients who were
patient in the first few months when Tribe was still ‘evolving’!
EBS: What is it
about Big Sky that compels you to stick it out through the hard times?
H.P.: I
have lived in Big Sky for 14 years and this is home for me. The community has
been incredible to support me through this process and I enjoy being a part of
responsible growth in Big Sky with a focus on serving locals.
EBS: What is one
of the most memorable moments you have had as a resident/business owner in Big
Sky?
H.P.: There have been
so many wonderful memories in this community, I can’t choose just one!
EBS: What’s the best
piece of business advice you’ve received?
H.P.: When
I was first opening Tribe, I was very nervous and unsure that I was making the
right decisions. A client and friend told me that things rarely work out the
way you plan and there will always be distractions and stumbling blocks that
you have to deal with when you are on your road to success but to always be
resilient and keep working hard!
EBS: What advice
would you give to small business owners just starting out in Big Sky?
H.P.: Always be aware of how you are
representing and serving the community through your business. Make a conscious
effort to be a positive reflection of Big Sky to both locals and visitors.
EBS: Where do you
see your business in 10 years?
H.P.: I hope to continue to grow and evolve to
provide the latest techniques and process to my clientele so they have the ‘big
city’ perks in our beautiful, small local town.
EBS: Where do you
see Big Sky in 20 years?
H.P.: It is hard to say given the amount
of growth we are experiencing at this time. It is my hope, however, that we
maintain the level of community and don’t lose sight of what makes Big Sky so
special.