Name: Bennie Pollard.

Job: CEO and artist, Hair by Bennie and Friends salon and BennieFactor Products, 2346 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, www.bennieandfriends.com and www.benniefactor.com, 895-1956.

Age: 43.

Education: Graduate of Bullitt East High School and The School of Hair Design.

Genetic disposition + competition: "I grew up in the beauty industry; my mother was a hairstylist, aunts, cousins and uncle. … After enrolling in beauty school … (I) participated in what is referred to as comb-out competitions … (where you) style (a model's) hair in a certain amount of time and then you have a panel of esteemed judges who judge the work and determine who is the best stylist."

Epiphany, the first: "In one of my competitions as a student I placed third in the state. Being a part of these competitions as a student was a grand 'A-Ha!' moment -- to open my eyes as to what was available to me in the beauty industry."

Epiphany, continued: "The next thing that was monumental to me was discovering hairdressing education on tape, beta (tape format) I believe. I was able to feed my mind advanced cutting and high-end fashion and understand the difference between selling haircuts and selling fashion/style."

Opportunity for travel: "The next thing happened in 1991, when I had the opportunity to be a part of an international guest artist team … traveling the United States and abroad to demonstrate advanced haircutting techniques to stylists of all ages and skill levels. After that I became a guest artist for various hair-care manufacturers."

Hanging the shingle: "I opened Hair by Bennie and Friends in 1992. … We are now celebrating our 15th year. In 1994, we were recognized as Salon of the Year by Modern Salon Magazine. We have also been recognized by Glamour magazine and New Woman magazine as one of the top salons in the United States … (and) one of the top 20 salons in America by Launchpad magazine."

Personal achievement: "(I was) recognized as one of the top hairstylists in North America by receiving my first nomination in the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) in 1995. (I was) twice nominated in 1997, again in 2000. … (In 2003) we won in the 'avant garde' category. … In 2007, I won my second NAHA award in the Contemporary Classic Category."

Self-esteem with attitude: "Working in the beauty industry, we have the profound opportunity to lift people's self-esteem, which is a huge responsibility. … The most important tool we use is attitude. With a strong positive attitude we are able to encourage others to feel great about themselves, both personally and professionally."

It can be a challenge: "The most challenging thing about my work is getting people to believe in themselves and take responsibility for their future and their success -- whether it be a client, an employee or fellow BennieFactor salon. … There is greatness in every one of us; sometimes we just need to be reminded of it."

Loving the process: "My favorite thing is teaching young hairstylists how to become designers and watching them grow. My favorite thing -- part two -- is working with fellow BennieFactor salons on how to grow their businesses by setting goals, implementing quality staff training procedures, and practicing quality systems."

Pollards on planning: "Normally the day will start at about 6:30 a.m. with some computer work and going over the day's agenda with my wife and co-owner, Maria Pollard. During the day, I am either speaking, doing hair, returning phone calls, or answering e-mail, etc. The day ends once again with Maria and I following up on the day, planning future events, really anything that's necessary for the companies to grow."

Surprisingly speaker-centric: "The thing that surprises people about my job is the amount of public speaking we do on a national level. I speak to literally tens of thousands of hairstylists and salon owners per year. … Three to four days a week are spent traveling the United States doing demonstrations and speaking engagements. Two to three days a week are spent taking care of my wonderful clientele (here)."

Historic home, modern business: "Hair by Bennie and Friends is in a very contemporary, stylish environment with beautiful lighting -- for optimal hair color work catering to both women and men. Our office is always on the go. With today's technology, my office is either in an airport, hotel room, the salon or on my veranda at home."

The cost of a brush with fame: "When we quote a price on a haircut, for example, ($95 with Bennie, $40 to $50 with the Friends) that includes the haircut, style and (a styling) lesson -- some people will never teach them (clients) how to do it (themselves). … I stay full with my regular clients, who've been with me for years. It's hard for me to even accept new clients. … I always recommend reserving in advance (price sampling of some other services: makeup with a lesson, $50; brow tint, $10; full highlight, $83; conditioning, $20.)"

Branching out: "In 2001, we launched BennieFactor Products, a salon hair-care line now represented in salons in 19 states. … Creating a national product line within the fashion world, and launching it from Louisville has been interesting, because Louisville is not known as a fashion mecca. … People told me that I couldn't bring a fashion brand out of Louisville … that it simply wouldn't work."

Debunking the skeptics: "In the beginning, it was very hard to secure distribution for such a small startup company. In the six years since, we have established distribution in 19 states and are in negotiations for eight more states as we speak. We have experienced double-digit growth since inception. … (We) have become increasingly more important in the hair/fashion world on a national level, bringing Louisville national attention. … In 2006 we launched Gage for Men, a very stylish salon hair-care line for men."

Experience and chemistry: "After nearly 20 years as a hairstylist and a session stylist, I recognized various characteristics that products have and their effects on hair as a fabric. At that point, I decided to hire a chemist to begin working on formulas based on the way I feel about hair as fabric and products from a design and performance standpoint. After approximately one year of working with my chemist, I confirmed the first eight formulas."

Learning the ropes: "During that first year I learned how to source packing components … soft-touch technology for the bottles, the best screen-printing for the bottles, etc. It was a tremendous education for me in supply-chain management. My clientele provided very valuable feedback on the products as the process moved forward."

Only the best: "We use the best of the best when it comes to our shears, blow dryers, etc. A typical pair of high-end shears runs between $900 and $1,100 -- the Ferrari of shears. … Hair clients at the salon expect to leave the salon with a complete stylish look. We meet the clients' expectations by empowering our staff with phenomenal advanced education and training and performing a complete 'image profile' for every client who enters our salon."

Philosophy and the obvious: "The most important thing about our product line is the philosophy behind it. … The number one statement that I've heard, and hear, from clients as I complete their service is 'I feel so much better!' … So when we named our products, we based the names on positive affirmations (like 'b more' building spray)."

What's in the names: "When BennieFactor users are getting ready in the morning, the last thing I want them to see before going out into the world is 'be confident!' … We believe in celebrating intelligence, so we have incorporated literary quotes on each bottle from such notables as Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare and Rudyard Kipling, to name a few."

Meeting expectations: "The BennieFactor salons expect high-end formulas from me as their hair-care manufacturer to sell to their clients, as well as business consulting to grow their businesses and grow their bottom line. We meet these expectations by providing business consulting as well as advanced technical training."

High expectations: "(I want to) win 10 NAHA awards. … (The master plan) is to secure full domestic distribution for BennieFactor Products and Gage for Men. Then, move on to international distribution. I will be opening Hair by Bennie and Friends salons in key cities such as New York, Chicago, and L.A."