When did you know you wanted to be a hair stylist?
I had no idea I wanted to be a hairstylist! Ha! What I did know is that I wanted to be independent and successful. I graduated early from high school and I was on a mission to find a career where I could 1. Help people 2. Travel 3. Be a working mom when the time came. 2 years of college and Beauty School became my answer!
When did you start working at 901?
I moved to LA late in 2012 and starting working at Nine Zero One in 2013. Riawna and I went to Beauty School together in 2002 so 901 has always been in my heart. I became a mom and wanted to be home with my babies from 2007-2012 working only very part time from a small studio in my home.
Tell us about BCTV and your involvement in it.
BCTV is incredible! It’s something I wish I had as a stylist when I was getting started, not to mention how lucky I am to get to see every episode now and learn from the best in the business. We are a subscription based education channel that I get to direct! I book artists to appear on our channel and then help them put their best foot forward on camera! It’s been a lot of fun adding Director to my resumé :)
What are some of your favorite products?
I’m really about healthy hair. So I have to say my first favorite products are InCommon’s Magic Mist and L’Oréal’s Absolute Repair mask. My second favorite products are Unite’s Expanda dust (for incredible updo hold) and Oribe’s dry texture spray. Could live without these.
What are you doing when you're not hustling?
I can’t sit down! It’s a problem. I figure we have one life to live so let’s go for it. My family freaks out because they say I do too much but I’m a do-er. My most important job in my life is being a mom. I have two boys 11 and 9 that are my everything. I work in their classrooms, I help coach their sports team, I’m a room mom, I’m on the school board, and I take them everywhere I can. I completely believe that with some good organization and a strong cup of coffee, I can be a full time hairstylist and a full time mom.
Advice for girls that want to have a career in your industry?
Take as much education as you can! Lucky for stylist now there is so much to choose from. Each class you take, go apply it right then and there. Ask your friends and family if you can do their hair and just go for it. You will never get better unless you let yourself be better. Clients appreciate your knowledge and are more likely to let you try new things when you have confidence.
What's the wildest thing you've done to your own hair?!
I think going PINK! Out of all the years I’ve been doing hair (16 years!) This is the first time I have done a fashion color. I absolutely love it! Who knows maybe I’ll always be pink!
Who inspires you in your Girl Gang?
I am so lucky, my Girl Gang is incredible. Top on my list has to be my mom, hardest working person I know. Riawna and Nikki with their brains, I mean these girls have the most genius ideas. My sister, she’s the most dedicated teacher I’ve ever seen, her willingness to help a student is far beyond her job duties. My mom group, they are my village. My Girl Gang in a nutshell is this: Hardworking, Smart, Dedicated and Kind. I’m pretty blessed.