Member-only story
From Zero to Hero (with Slightly Tangled Ends): Confessions of a Hairstyling Hustler
So you wanna be a hairstylist, huh? Buckle up, buttercup, because this ain’t no walk in the park with a blow dryer. Let me tell you, starting out is like being a lone hairbrush on a deserted island: stranded, resourceful, and maybe a little desperate.
Clients? Forget about it. They wouldn’t trust their precious strands to someone whose experience amounts to practicing on your Chihuahua (don’t worry, Fido’s fur is fabulous). And the veterans? Don’t even get me started. They scoff at your fresh-out-of-school enthusiasm like it’s yesterday’s mousse. “Four years in the chair, honey,” they sneer, “then we can talk.” Apparently, years are like hairspray — the more layers, the better.
But here’s the thing: being an entrepreneur is about hustle, not history. You gotta be a one-woman (or man) marketing machine, flippin’ those flyers faster than a curling iron heats up. Social media? Your playground. Networking events? Your oyster (with fabulous highlights, obviously). Word-of-mouth? Your gospel. Remember, even Beyoncé started somewhere, and honey, she wasn’t born with a weave and a stylist on speed dial.
