There’s a moment in every stylist’s career when we realize we want more.
For me, that moment came when I saw stylists across the country living completely different lives than what I thought was possible. I saw hairstylists making six figures, getting paid time off, and—this part was wild—actually laughing at work. They weren’t just showing up and grinding to survive. They were thriving in salons that valued them, that structured their businesses around real financial success, and that made career longevity a priority.
Meanwhile, I was doing what most of us are trained to do: filling my book, pushing through exhaustion, and equating “butts in seats” with my ability to afford dinner. I was in survival mode, but I didn’t realize it at the time because that’s just how the industry operated.
Until I saw something different.
And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Defining Happiness as a Hairstylist
For too long, we’ve been taught that being busy = being successful. That as long as you’re booked solid, you should be happy. But real happiness in this career isn’t about a stacked schedule—it’s about how you feel while doing it.
💡 Do you feel valued where you work? Or are you just another name on the books?
💡 Does your salon support your growth? Or do you feel stuck in a system that doesn’t evolve with you?
💡 Are you paid fairly for your work? Or do you feel like you’re constantly working harder but never getting ahead?
💡 Do you feel seen, appreciated, and part of something bigger? Or are you just showing up and clocking out?
The reality is, happy stylists aren’t just in the right industry—they’re in the right environment.
You can love doing hair and still feel disconnected from where you’re doing it. And if that’s the case, it’s okay to want more.
What Keeps Stylists Stuck?
I’ve stayed in the wrong salon twice before. Once because I thought it was the “smart” decision. Once because I was scared to leave.
And the second time? I cried every single day during my last week because of how I was treated.
I stayed because I didn’t want to rock the boat. I stayed because I thought, Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I just need to toughen up. But looking back, I know what was really happening:
I had outgrown the space, but the space wasn’t built to grow with me.
That’s why when I opened my own salon, I committed to creating a place where stylists never feel like they’re just waiting for something better. A place that doesn’t just talk about growth but actually structures itself around it.
I refuse to build a salon where:
🚫 Stylists are stuck on a hamster wheel with no real financial progress.
🚫 The culture is toxic, competitive, or full of fear-based leadership.
🚫 People love doing hair but hate where they do it.
Because the right salon isn’t just a place to work—it’s a place that makes your career sustainable.
What to Do If You’re Not Happy
If you’re reading this and thinking, Okay, but what do I do now?, here’s the truth:
You don’t have to have all the answers today. But you do have to give yourself permission to ask the right questions.
1️⃣ Make a list of what’s working and what’s not. Be brutally honest with yourself.
2️⃣ Get curious about what’s possible. Start researching other salon models, compensation structures, and company cultures.
3️⃣ Start small. Even just having a conversation about growth with your current leadership is a step forward.
But if you’ve been waiting for a sign that it’s time for something new, this might be it.
And if you’re wondering whether we might be the right fit for you? Let’s talk.