Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Story.
Nicole, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, my parents got divorced when my brother and I were pretty young so with my mom working all the time she usually needed someone to watch us after school. My brother became best friends with a boy named Michael his family basically adopted us into theirs and his mom, Elaine watched us all the time. Michaels father & uncles owned an extremely successful salon in Stoneham where we all grew up. Every day after school, the three of us would walk to the shop, go to nonnas for a snack usually bread and red sauce to dip it in and wait for his mom to finish up at work. I was obsessed with the whole shop. I’d offer to sweep, clean the perm rods, Windex product shelves every time I was there, I loved everything about it. Basically, every single girl that worked there was gorgeous and undeniably talented and that’s exactly what I wanted to be. And they ALWAYS offered to play with my hair which I loved even more. I said “one day, I’m going to work here” and begged them 24/7 until finally, I was old enough and they let me! I always knew I wanted to do hair just from spending countless days in the salon, I wanted to be exactly like them… so I dropped out of high school ( didn’t tell my parents ) started working in the salon as a receptionist got my GED and then began hair school. I loved everything about working in the salon. I watched everyone like a hawk including all the owners. To this day, I could probably mimic each and every person that worked there and tell you which stylist to go to for what service you’re looking to have done. Two salons later, I’m currently working at The Dollhouse in Wakefield and loving it!!! I learn so much every single day from the girls I work with and have the freedom and clientele to do more of what I love!
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think I’ve ever had a smooth road, but you do what you can with the cards you’re dealt. Hair school was extremely hard for me… I hated every minute of it. All I wanted to do was work. But working isn’t and shouldn’t be your whole life. It was for me. I guess you could say I’m a bit of a work-a-holic (I get that from my dad). And I think that’s where I started making my mistakes. I wanted so bad to be the best and work my ass off to establish a reputation in this industry that I allowed some people to take advantage of me. When I became pregnant that’s what really opened my eyes to it. So, any advice I could give someone starting out in this industry is to find a salon willing to teach AND pay for your education! That was such a huge part in the beginning when I started out I spent thousands of dollars on education which is great but a salon should be providing their stylists with continued education.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into STYLEDBYSTORY story. Tell us more about the business.
I LOVE COLOR! I specialize in color corrections, blondes, balayage, and extensions! I think what I’m most proud of is the fact that my clients are so comfortable with me and can be honest with me. And if there’s nowhere for me to accommodate them I’m more than happy to refer them to another stylist. I think what sets me apart from others is I rarely ever take anything personally.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
There’s one woman I’ve known since I was a kid stalking the salon girls at Hairmates that inspired me. Tami Lewis. Everything about her she was so cool. Effortlessly. AND STILL IS!!! She is THE most talented hair stylist I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. And I honestly just aspire to be half of the stylist she is.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Dollhouse
450 Main Street
Wakefield, MA 01880 - Phone: +1 (978) 880-2793
- Email: nicolestory18@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/styledbystory
- Facebook: Facebook.com/styledbystory
Image Credit:
@sherryspinale
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