Beginning of Artistry

Originally, when I started thinking about sharing my journey into artistry, I started writing about where I started in this industry.  I started reminiscing about all of the past salons I had worked at, all of the terrible experiences I have had, and how much of my career just happened to me. So much of me just being reactive to other peoples terrible decisions, other peoples lack of knowledge, and sometimes just straight up bad business. Reaction. Something we are aware of as a result of an action, but these were actions that I thought were completely out of my control. While yes, a lot of them were, but instead of taking control of that, I just kept ending up in reactionary situations. No intention, just existing.  I’m not saying those experiences didn’t lead me to where I am, and in some ways I am grateful for that time in my life, if for any other reason than because I gained awareness. My path to who I am happened and helped turn me into the person I am today, even though there were times where it was just downright difficult.

Then I had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas for my third Redken Symposium, and being there changed my thought process. Yes, I have a lot of years behind me in my career behind the chair, I have a million stories of failure and chaos, but what I realized that weekend was how much that has shifted since I started using Redken, and not only using, but working with the brand, the people. Incorporating into my practice. Building my foundation of principal based learning, which lead me into principle based facilitation.  I am who I am because of this brand, this community, this heartbeat so many people share. Not only as a hairdresser, but as a person.  When Sam Villa was on stage, giving his final stage presentation, he said “I stand before you as a hairdresser who chooses to be a teacher”.  That’s exactly the energy and focus I am approaching this next step in my career with.  I don’t believe I am better than anyone else out there, I truly believe there is potential in those who make the choice to show up. The choice to step outside of their comfort zone, to take a chance, learn something new, and try something they didn’t think was possible.  If you asked me at the beginning of my career what my goals in our industry were, a question I always ask my associates in their interview, I would not have had an answer for you. Until I started leaning into the Redken way, I didn’t have a purpose or an intention behind the chair other than to survive. 

So when I started thinking about my journey into artistry, I really started thinking about that network of people, the Redken Power Network, and what an incredible foundation that gives me to stand on. I am doing this for me, for my associates, my salon team, and those I have yet to meet, but I am not doing it alone.  I am doing it with this incredible network of people who only want to see me succeed. 

The beginning of Redken Artist training, while I am starting at a deeper season into my career than most maybe are, it feels like the beginning of something big. Something familiar, yet brand new. Perhaps that is coming from my perspective at this phase in life and my journey, but it is no less exciting and honestly I cannot wait to see what happens next.