Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Rose.
Kristen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story, like most hairdressers, started when I was young and enjoyed playing with hair. In high school, I would make my friends sit for hours while I braided single braids into their long hair. Although I loved doing hair, my first passion was working with children. While I was in college studying to become a social worker, I got a part-time job at Empire Beauty School as their Customer Service Coordinator. I spent many nights watching the students and educators do hair and always thought “I’d love to do that!” While working at Empire Beauty School, I completed my Bachelors in Social Work at Wheelock College and went on to get my Masters in Social Work at Boston College. In 2012, I left Empire Beauty School to pursue my career in social work but I still had a desire to do hair. After leaving the beauty school I always contemplated returning to get my Cosmetology Certificate but it was never the right time. Finally, in the Summer of 2016, I decided to make the jump and follow that dream with the encouragement of friends and family. I went back to Empire Beauty School where I once worked and signed up to be a student. For sixteen long months, I worked full-time and went to school four nights a week, which was exhausting and stressful, but well worth it. I graduated in December 2017 and one week later passed my exam and got my license!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This journey has not been an easy one. For the sixteen months I was in beauty school and working full-time as a social worker, I had to sacrifice a lot. My social life suffered, my healthy habits such as going to the gym and eating well went to the back burner, and my sleep was minimal. In social work, they tell us we have to care for ourselves before we can care for others and it is the same in cosmetology. With that being said, I knew I did not want to wake up at 50 years old and think “why didn’t I do it when I was younger.” I recommend to anyone to make themselves a priority and to make decisions that better themselves, and if it means sacrificing nights out with friends or a few hours of sleep, it will be worth it in the end.
Often, I ask children what they want to be when they grow up and they always come up with crazy answers like “a doctor and a ballerina” or “a police officer and a basketball player” and as adults we think that is not obtainable but it is, you can be what you want at any age, and I’m a perfect example; Social Worker – Hairdresser.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kristen Rose Hair – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
From day one, I knew that “building a brand” was going to be difficult at 30 years old. I know the relationship between stylist and client is a strong and important one and that I’d have to work hard to have people leave their current stylist to trust me with their hair. After signing up for school, one of my first purchases was a ring light to take photos of my work and start marketing myself. I brought the light to school and would take photos of my work and post them on Facebook and Instagram. I started building a clientele while in school and used that time to learn from my educator Deb Santos (@hairsbydeb) and ask questions about color and cutting. I graduated in December 2017 and got my license a week after graduation.
I work full-time as a social worker and have been doing hair out of my home. Doing hair in a salon has always been my goal because I love the social aspect and strangers sitting next to each other and chatting. I was waiting for the right opportunity to come along. Fortunately I went to dinner recently in Wakefield and walked by a cute salon while it was closed and peeked in. I saw all the things I love, rustic décor, a barn door, and Goldwell hair products and I immediately fell in love. I reached out to the Owner of Vanity Hair Salon, Catie Keene, to tell her how much I loved the salon and asked if she was looking for a stylist for Saturdays. Within 3 days she hired me and I’ve been working there since. I am so fortunate for the opportunity to do hair in a successful salon with talented stylists, even if it is one day a week.
As far as my passion, I’d say, it is color services. I enjoy all aspects of color from highlights to vivid fantasy colors. Doing before and after pictures on a client is so gratifying and I love their reactions when they see the change. I also enjoy doing extensions and up-dos. Just recently, I have had the opportunity to do hair for weddings and would love to continue to work in that area. Getting someone ready for their special day is a huge responsibility and I am grateful for anyone who trusts me to do that for them.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
The obvious answer is Instagram and YouTube for hair videos, which I could easily watch 24/7. I love that social media gives stylists the opportunity to connect. For example, my friend gave me a “hair-inspo” picture from Jessica Azevedo in California (@jessvedo_hair). I posted my work next to Jessica’s picture and she commented on it and said “Beautiful Job! You totally nailed it!” It is amazing that a stylist from the other side of the country saw my work that she inspired and was able to compliment me.
I also love to learn about products and want to be educated around them before using them on a client and I’ve found that many brands have apps that have education features such as Olaplex and Goldwell.
Unrelated to work, I use an app to track my water intake! Haha! Staying hydrated is important and it reminds me to drink throughout my day (hope that helps someone!).
Contact Info:
- Phone: (781) 245-5040
- Address: Vanity Hair Salon 979 Main St. Wakefield, MA 01880
- Email: kristenrose.hair@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kristenrosehair
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristenrosehair
Image Credit:
@kristenrosehair
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