My Story as a New Cosmetologist-Part 1

In my previous post, I explained my purpose for this blog; to educate, inspire and guide freshly licensed hairstylists and help them make the best decisions as they move forward. I am going to tell my story the only way I know how, by being my 100% authentic self.

...a mentor walking you through every step of the way.

If you asked 10 seasoned stylists which business structure they would personally recommend a new stylist to follow, I would be willing to bet it would be to become an apprentice. An apprentice program is where a new stylist learns the practical application of the beauty industry all while being paid to learn. It is truly the best of both worlds, learning, hands-on experience, and a mentor walking you through every step of the way. The master stylist typically trains the apprentice in just about every area of the industry such as how to treat clients (customer service), formulations 101, advanced techniques they didn't learn in school, how to photograph hair, and about 100 other essential topics they need to be familiar with. The program usually lasts around a year but may be shorter depending on the student and/or the program's structure. Ultimately, the new stylist should be well-prepared to start their career.

When looking for a salon to work for, I suggest every new stylist define their core values, identify the salon culture/vibe they are attracted to, and do their due diligence regarding learning everything they can about their potential future boss. A deep self-assessment can take some time, but in the end, the work that has been done will hopefully reveal the non-negotiables and establish personal vs professional values. I cannot stress enough that a salon owner's values must align with their employees otherwise, things will go sideways.

I knew I needed experience, guidance...

When I graduated from Cosmetology School, I was 22, and just like many young adults, I was mostly concerned with the superficial qualities of a salon. I was attracted to the popularity, trendy vibe, and brand of a salon and while those things are important, they are not the only things. I was not looking for the important values and qualities that will ultimately make or break any business, not just a salon. I knew I needed experience, guidance, and a whole lot of heads to work on. I expected to receive all of that at the first salon I was employed at, but that didn't happen. I thought I would train under an exceptionally talented artist and eventually work alongside her and her team.

The salon I chose was located in an affluent part of town across the street from a country club, making its location perfect for several practical reasons. This salon was a house that the owner transformed into a salon equipped with retail items and small gifts. Walking into this charming salon, I could not help but notice just how beautiful it was. The walls were adorned with stunning photography of gorgeous models with trendy hair and makeup, and the antique wood floors added all the Southern charm this girl wanted! As I walked through the studio, drifting through the air was an amazing fragrance, relaxed and at ease. One of the front rooms was set up with four stylist stations, one for the owner, one for a renter, another for the owner's sister, and the final station for the owner's current apprentice. That should have been the first red flag for me, but my lack of life experience and the fact that there was not a station available for me did not register immediately.

Looking back, I don't think there was any way to tell that this owner's teaching style and work ethic would not sit with me. I interviewed well with her, and she seemed cool... a tad bit pretentious, but she was one of the best in town. She promised to teach me everything she knew such as cutting, coloring, and styling. I knew the office manager and everyone seemed happy so I was excited to become part of this team. Her salon had a great reputation and I had not heard of any negativity about this salon. In fact, my decision to work there was affirmed by numerous sources including one of my school instructors.

..all the red flags rolling in.

Fast forward into a few weeks, and instead of learning techniques, I was mixing drinks for her clients, fetching her pills from an Rx bottle in her purse, and not once was I taught anything whatsoever about my craft. The only good things that came out of that experience were: 1.) I got to tan for free, 2.) I got my hair done for free- ONCE, and 3.) I learned the name of the fragrance that filled the rooms of the salon, Archipelago candles. I was frustrated by the realization that I would not get the training I was promised. I was growing concerned with all the red flags rolling in. I watched her work when I could, but I was instructed to do other things such as answering the ringing phone, confirming future appointments, and dusting the shelves.

Two girls worked with me; one was an unlicensed stylist and current apprentice, and the other was a student receptionist. The apprentice had been out of school for a year and had not made a single attempt to test for her license. A YEAR Y'ALL!!! I asked her why she had not taken her test and she replied she “didn't have the time” … likely due to the fact she stayed busy doing all the same chores that I realized I was also doing. Chores instead of the actual hands-on training like I was initially promised. Chores had sidetracked an apprentice for an entire year without any progress towards her licensure. Talk about a Red flag! It was evident throughout the weeks that followed that the ‘apprentice’ felt discouraged about her stalled progression and became stuck in a rut. She had been working at this salon for 12 months with no real strides made towards advancement. That's when I knew that this was a dead-end job. I had no future there and I had to leave quickly!

He believed it had the right elements to support a growing stylist.

Seeing the writing on the wall, I got out of there in 3 months. I consulted my successful entrepreneur brother about the best way to move forward. He suggested that I seek a salon with a well-established salon where I could receive hands-on experience while building my own clientele. He gave it some thought and suggested that I look into the salon where he and his wife were regular clients. Certain things stood out to him about this place that appealed to his business side such as the volume of customers, pricing of services, and location in a part of town experiencing rapid growth. He believed it had the right elements to support a growing stylist. I listened to this solid advice, gave it a shot, and scheduled an interview. Compared to my first choice, this salon didn't have an assistant program or anything fancy. It didn't have all the beautiful pictures of the stylists' work on the walls. It certainly was not a cute house made to be a salon. It did not have the same charm or culture that I enjoyed about the other salon. What it did have was an impressive client base and all the stylists were busy with booked schedules. It was just your simple, friendly, neighborhood salon with about a dozen stylist stations. They did not specialize in any certain service as they offered your run-of-the-mill services, even the dreaded perm. They had all heads that I needed to work on to start my career and build a clientele. I am happy to say that I still, 17 years later, see a lot of these clients that I met at this salon. I built friendships that are still in place today and I even met my husband at this salon. Yes, I dated one of my clients!

I wanted clients to seek me for the work that I did...

I learned valuable lessons during that season of my life. A solid understanding of my core values and the willingness to trust my instincts allowed me to see that the first salon was not where God wanted me. The red flags were His way of saying 'Get out!' as well as His way of protecting me from something that was going to happen in the future. See, that first salon, years later, found itself in a bit of a scandal. I was not the only one who left not long after starting due to shady practices that went on there. That salon is no longer in business and that owner is living out her days working solo in a private suite all to herself. There was no integrity woven into the fibers of that business, and that experience helped me identify a value that I had not yet discovered in myself. I now seek a person's integrity before agreeing to any business transactions. Are they who they say they are? Do they act a different way when no one is looking? When my values do not align with those of another, that is when I know that I need to slow down and reevaluate the situation. God places wise counsel and trusted advisors in front of us so that they might guide us, and mentor us in areas where we are not yet educated. I would like to think that it is part of His divine plan. I would not have met my husband if I had not listened to my brother's trusted advice. I would not have learned that I wanted clients to seek me for the work that I did, not because of the clout that a salon has. I wanted to be known for my name and not for the name that employed me. I did not realize it at the time but this was the start of my path of resilience. God blessed this broken road every step of the way because it has brought me to this exact place.

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