As they work their way up, young up-and-coming beauty professionals are blazing trails and making waves. We scoured the country to find out who is doing what and how it all began. Here is our chat with up-and-coming beauty professional, Olivia Chafe.
Salon Magazine: How did you get your start in makeup, why did you decide to be a part of this industry?
Olivia Chafe: I was introduced to the industry at a young age and grew up with an aunt who was a hairstylist. Throughout my high school years, I took a part time job in a local hair salon working the desk, folding towels, etc. I loved the overall atmosphere and seeing how happy the stylists made their clients feel. During my senior year, I volunteered to model in a local hair show for Paul Mitchell. This was the very moment I knew this was the career for me. After speaking with the guest artist who flew in for the show, I found there were so many opportunities in this industry besides working behind the chair in a salon. I later applied for cosmetology school and started setting my goals from day one to become an educator and salon owner someday.
SM: What drives and motivates you as a hairstylist?
OC: In this ever-changing industry, continuing education is essential in keeping me motivated. I strive to always be in the know of the newest trends and technologies so I can continue to keep my clients happy!
SM: What is your expertise? What do you specialize in or excel at?
OC: As Brand Educator for Wella Professionals, colour is definitely my number one passion and strong point. I’ve also taken multiple cut courses with Sassoon and would consider myself excellent in precision cutting.
SM: What is one lesson you’ve learned throughout your education and career that you still keep in mind today?
OC: “When you’re green, you grow. When your ripe, you rot.” Continuing education is key.
SM: Who is your mentor or who do you look up to up to when it comes to hair? Anyone in particular on social media?
OC: Itʼs hard for me to choose just one mentor in this industry as I look up to and draw inspiration from many stylists in my life and on social media. I would definitely have to give most credit to my first employer Trish Molloy of The Head Room Salon. Trish helped mold me to be the stylist and salon owner I am today. She opened many doors for me in the industry such as being involved in competition and becoming an educator.
SM: Who is your hair hero? Is there someone youʼd like to work with?
OC: Iʼve had the opportunity to work with some great artists over the past few years but would love to have a chance to work with Stephen Moody!
SM: As a young artist, what has been the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome that?
OC: The decision to open my own salon and brand myself. I left 6 great years with my first employer and took a leap of faith to start my first business venture operating out of Tru Salon Suites. I was nervous if my clientele would follow me or not. With lots of business research and long work hours I managed to double my clientele in my first year and just recently hired my first associate stylist!
SM: Who gave you the best advice as you embarked on your career? And what was that advice?
OC: My parents. Since I was a little girl theyʼve always told me, “do what you love, follow your dreams and never give up.”
SM: What is your one must-have product?
OC: Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil!
SM: What are your goals for the next 5 to 10 years? Where do you see yourself in the beauty industry?
OC: Definitely being involved in more competition work, allowing me to grow and brand myself in the Industry. I would love to work on expanding my salon and becoming a mentor to newer stylists.
Comments are closed.