6. How Mackenzie Hayward Built Attache Line from One Simple Salon Problem

After 10 years behind the chair, Mackenzie Hayward was tired of balancing bowls, bottles and brushes while delivering premium colour services. She searched for a tool that would make life easier for hairdressers working solo. When she couldn't find one, she decided to build it herself. It wasn't an overnight success. The journey involved years of prototyping, countless manufacturer rejections, rebuilding her confidence after a major weight loss journey, and learning how to step out from behind the chair and become the face of her own brand. In this episode, Ally sits down with Mackenzie Hayward, founder of Attache Line, to unpack the reality of creating a physical product from scratch. From engineering and manufacturing in Australia to building a brand through community, boundaries, and genuine customer care, this conversation is full of practical lessons for anyone dreaming of creating something of their own. In this episode, we cover: - How one frustrating salon problem became the idea behind Attache Line - Why it took nearly six years to bring the product to market - The realities of designing, prototyping and manufacturing a product in Australia - Why she originally wanted Attache to be a faceless business - Building a product while working full-time behind the chair - The biggest mindset shifts from hairdresser to product founder - Why customer service has become one of Attache's biggest competitive advantages - The importance of community over traditional influencer marketing - Lessons learned from Meta Ads and paid marketing - Creating boundaries with social media to avoid burnout Resources Mentioned in This Episode: - The Beauty Grail | Online Education: https://bit.ly/4eLNmRG - Timely: New customers receive 50% off for 3 months when you use the CODE: TBG: https://bit.ly/4vgVCzc - Natalie Anne Haircare: https://bit.ly/3Sa0uaE - Kaine Vakai x Jadore Hair Supplies: https://bit.ly/4uO5W0E - Fone King: Get 15% off all purchases when you use the CODE: BEAUTY15: https://bit.ly/4xw8mDq