Tell me about how you got your start in hairdressing. Did you always know you wanted to be a hairstylist?
When I was growing up, I was always the black sheep in my family. When I got out of high school, I started performing at Busch Gardens as a dancer. I’ve always been performing, but I ended up getting injured so I started working in a costume shop that made wigs. The head costume shop woman really encouraged me, so I ended up going to the Paul Mitchell school in Tampa (where I’m from) in 2009/2010, and that’s when my life changed forever.
My husband was on active duty in the military for the Air Force, so we moved around a lot. When I met him in Tampa, I was working with an amazing man, Alan Kemp, who was my first mentor and showed me what it took to run a salon. After a year and a half, my husband and I moved to North Dakota, and I managed a salon for two years.
By the time we moved to Dayton, Ohio, I had four years under my belt. I start looking around at salons and I thought I could create a different vibe for a salon in the Midwest. I told my husband I was going to open a salon and six weeks later, my 500-square-foot space was open. We built it from nothing, and a year later we expanded to over 3,000 square feet. We owned it for seven years, and then all of a sudden, I was travelling and working with brands. I was absent from the salon a lot, so I decided to move to Los Angeles in 2018.
It must have been a big change, moving from Ohio to Los Angeles. Was it challenging at all?
I think I set myself up for success. Before I moved, I was going back and forth between Los Angeles and Ohio a week at a time to build my clientele.
What was your experience like during the pandemic?
I think it actually brought the industry— as individuals and artists—closer. We got over the fact that we couldn’t open up and we did something about it. There was free education, classes on Zoom, collaborations, etc. I think I met people online that I never would have met if the pandemic never happened. Even though it was a rough time, I made sure I stepped up because I think it’s cool that I get to do what I do, and I don’t take it for granted.
I also launched an education course that was all about placement and patterns and working more efficiently, because I knew our clients were going to be backlogged. All of our guests have special relationships with their stylists, so somebody is going to take it personally. Also, our guests got smarter than ever, so I started doing a lot more work in education to work my chair more efficiently.
Taking your business seriously with a coach or a lawyer, and making sure all of your systems and protocols are set, is important. I think owners and managers finally had a moment to really dig deep into their business. I had to get an accountability partner and I still to this day have coaches and mentors.
Who are some of your mentors in the industry?
Alan Kemp was my first mentor, and he was so amazing. He just passed away a couple of months ago. Nina Kovner of Passion Squared has been a mentor for me throughout my whole journey. She really encouraged me to move to L.A. Victor ValVerde is also another one of my mentors.
I’ve been mentoring my best friend, Nina Tulio. We do a podcast together called No Stylist Left Behind. We talk about life and business, and how to create a safe space for the next generation of stylists. It’s unedited, raw, emotional and fun conversations about life, business and ourselves with industry leaders and iconic humans—people who are making waves and stepping out.
What do you most enjoy about working with hair colour?
The people! I just love connecting with fellow humans and I love that we are licensed to touch, to guide, to lead, to do. One thing for me when it came to colour was that there’s unlimited opportunities, especially as the world of manufacturing and product development gets better. How you can change someone’s identity or just enhance their hair colour— whatever the guest wants to do—is amazing.
When I think about placement and patterns, it’s like building a house with varied shapes and architectural options. You can always switch it up, so you don’t have to fully commit to it.
What are some of the colour trends you’re seeing right now?
I think balayage is coming back because we want a softer grow-out, but with bolder placement. Instead of traditional balayage that’s gradient, we’re being more mindful in the way we paint those sections so those ribbons of colour are coming back. It’s fun because it’s a different twist. It’s up to the root and we’re balayaging those panels in so it will give our guests more longevity.
Also, reflective, warm and golden. More of my guests want more reflection, which I love because hair looks more luxurious and healthier so you get that reflective, bouncy, Hollywood hair.
You’re the digital creative director for Oligo Professionnel. Tell us about that and what you most enjoy about it?
I’m having the best time with them! I love their family, products and brand. A lot of people look to me so I want to make sure they’re set up to win.
I started with Oligo as a brand ambassador. In the beginning of my career, I was always around creative directors. As I was growing my brand, my dream was to be a creative director because that’s where I could really make an impact with more knowledge, clarity on formula, etc. Oligo offered me the position of digital creative director and I’ve launched two collaborative colour collections with them—from the formula to the story to the placement to the branding to the models. My whole career has led me up to this position. I also coach their influencer team and I’m in the background to help bring new innovation and product to market through press and education.
Why do you think having a digital presence is so important for stylists and colourists today?
That’s where our guests live. I think it’s a non-negotiable in our business since it’s our calling card. You can start by doing before-and-afters with quick video clips. It’s a lot of pressure but you just need to put in the time and create space for it.
You’re also the director of education for FastFoils—another Canadian company! What has that been like?
FastFoils has shook my soul. It’s the people behind it but also the product. I fell in love with the product because it performs; it’s 25 per cent more efficient with a lower developer. When they approached me nearly two years ago, they didn’t have an 8 x 10 [sized foil]. I told Ben [Barkworth, the founder] that I use wider sections for my placement and patterns, so I needed an 8 x 10 foil if I was going to commit. Six months later, they sent me a package with 8 x 10 foils, and I told Ben I was all theirs, since it showed me that they were willing to adapt and evolve at any second to create what needs to be created for the industry.
For the last year, we’ve been working hard at getting the brand awareness. We created a six-model editorial collection that’s all about placement and pattern education with specific cities around the world. There’s inclusion and texture, as well as different tones, placements and patterns because Ben understands that, as a hairstylist and salon owner, education leads the way.
What advice would you give to your younger self or to new stylists and colourists?
A closed mouth never gets fed, and no one knows who you are until you tell them. Speak up, get a mentor and seek knowledge first. The smartest one in the room is always the one that’s observing. The most you’ll ever learn is what is not being said.
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