If I could sit down with a brand-new hairdresser fresh out of school, I'd tell them one thing first: ignore the noise.
There's a ton of BS in this industry. There are brands that try to sell you things that don't work because they want to make more money. They go after young people and hope that'll get them a bigger social media following or more eyes on them. It doesn't always make sense for the stylist.
What to focus on instead
The biggest thing is just being a great hairdresser. Learn everything you want to learn. Don't fall into following what you think everyone wants to see.
A lot of the platform stuff I see nowadays isn't worth what people put into it. Young stylists get pulled in a direction that doesn't let them grow to their full potential. Instead, they end up chasing something that really isn't meant for them.
Be yourself, on purpose
We want people to be true to themselves. We want their identity to be their own, not an imitation of somebody else.
Imitation is suicide.
That's how strongly I feel about it. The moment you build your career on copying someone else's look, you've capped yourself at their ceiling, and you'll always be the second version.
We want new hairdressers to be powerful in their own skin and to feel confident, so they make other people feel confident. That's the job.
The short version
- Get great at the craft before you get loud about it.
- Be skeptical of anyone selling you a shortcut that mainly benefits them.
- Learn everything, then decide what's yours.
- Build an identity you'd still want in ten years.
If you're early in your career and want a real foundation, start with our classes, or talk to us about one-on-one mentoring.