Like a lot of people, my hair journey started at home. My mom did hair—not professionally, but out of necessity. With nine kids, it was the best way to save money on haircuts. I watched her constantly and always thought it was the coolest thing. Before I knew it, I was practicing on myself, and by the ripe age of 13, I was convinced I could do it better than her. (We all love our 13-year-old selves.)

I started cutting and coloring my own hair, which quickly turned into doing my friends’ hair. By the time I made it through high school and college, I had some experience under my belt—and I hadn’t completely ruined anyone’s hair—so I started to think I might actually have a knack for this.

I began hair school during a very pivotal time in my life, and I completely fell in love. I remember specific things clicking for me—sometimes literally in my dreams. I’d wake up at 3 a.m. thinking about new techniques I wanted to try. Hair wasn’t just something I did; it became something I lived and breathed.

When I finished school, I entered another pivotal season. I was ready to put everything into doing hair, and I jumped in headfirst. I found a salon in a growing city and thought, What better place to build a clientele? I was hungry—hungry to learn, hungry to grow, and hungry to get my hands on as much hair as possible. The more heads I touched, the better I became.

My career evolved from commission to booth rent, to suite owner. From six days a week behind the chair, to two, and now somewhere comfortably in between. Every phase taught me something different, and I’ve genuinely loved the journey.

Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many stylists—helping them build confidence, refine their skills, and truly understand what it means to do hair beyond just the technical work. That part of the journey has been just as fulfilling as the work behind the chair itself.