“How would you describe your core philosophy as a stylist?”
My core philosophy as a stylist has changed in the recent years. There is an uninhibited aspect to achieving high operational precision that wasn’t present in my early years as a stylist. The relaxed nature mixed with perspective equals play with the medium that is hair; it opens me up to a craftmanship discovered through wisdom. Individuality and personal voice have always been the goal and empowering the client is the by-product to this goal.
For much of my early career, I didn’t fully recognize the value of my gift. I knew I had talent, but I did not take seriously, rather, I took it for granted. I made lots of money, but there was little meaning in it, and I did not have the ambition to grow, to expand. Over time, that lack of purpose wore on me and I was losing my confidence.
I was a high school dropout, but then later in life I finally earned my GED. This is when everything began to change. I realized that I was capable of more, and it gave me the confidence to pursue new challenges. Later, going to college as an adult stretched me even further. I did not have any computer knowledge or study habits. I had to learn it all from scratch. Drafting classes were tough; it was not the free-flowing art that I loved but boring exercise; it was a struggle I did not expect to deal with. Those classes demanded structure, perspective, and discipline, which eventually reshaped the way I view and approached hair.
Hair stopped being just a trade for me. It became a medium of my inner voice that required both technical precision and creative freedom. As I was getting older, I also realized that my gift wasn’t just for me. I discovered how much of an impact I could have on clients — how uplifting and empowering it can be to help someone feel seen, confident, and beautiful. That realization shifted my entire focus outward: from myself to the men and women in my chair. My relationship with God deepened that awareness, helping me see my work not just as a job, but as a calling.
Later, I started working at a beauty school as a cosmetology instructor, and my perspective changed even more. Sharing my skills with students and inspiring them to become entrepreneurs in beauty industry has been energizing and rewarding. I don’t teach from a place of strict rules or dogma; instead, I bring authenticity, creativity, and openness. I want my students to discover not only how to cut or color, but how to truly connect with the craft — and with the people they serve.
Today, my philosophy as a stylist is rooted in growth, personal expression, and confidence-building. It is important to me to approach my craft with a balance of discipline and play, structure and imagination. Freedom and perspective guide me when I cut and color, not perfection. My goal is always self-expression — both mine and the client’s. When that happens, empowerment follows organically.
Hair is more than hair — it’s a unique story of each client, a canvas, and a way to help people see themselves differently. And that’s what keeps me inspired every day.