We recently connected with Austin Bell and have shared our conversation below.

Austin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

I strive to ensure that every client who walks out of the salon feels glamorous, so when I fall short of delivering my best, it weighs heavily on me.

Early in my career, my friend Kinsey wanted the “Pixie Miley Cyrus Hairstyle,” and I was confident she would rock the look, so we scheduled an appointment. On the day of, I bleached her hair without much concern, knowing we were cutting most of it off. I used heat and let the bleach sit until her hair was stark white. After toning, she complained about her scalp being tender, but I assured her it was just her first time experiencing lightener on her scalp and that she’d get used to it.

Then came the pixie cut. I had recently taken a razor pixie class and thought it would be fun to use a razor for her cut. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a disaster. Her hair texture, combined with the bleach and the razor, made her hair fluff up like a pulled-apart cotton ball. To make matters worse, she ended up with chemical burns on her scalp.

It was a hard lesson in understanding that not every technique suits every client, and that the health and comfort of the client must always come first. That experience taught me the importance of adapting my approach to fit each individual’s needs and made me a more thoughtful and careful stylist.

Austin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

From a young age, I found joy in accompanying my mom to the hair salon. I was captivated by the intoxicating blend of scents, the lively chatter, and especially the array of mannequin heads that offered endless possibilities for hairstyling. At home, my enthusiasm extended to my sister’s Barbie dolls, where I learned the hard way that blow dryers and Barbie hair were a disastrous mix. My persistence led me to experiment on my sister, often with foam rollers, and while the results were far from perfect, they laid the groundwork for my growing passion.

The summer before high school marked the beginning of my serious experimentation. Armed with scissors, dye, and a fearless spirit, I transformed my friends’ looks, sometimes with mixed results. One memorable mishap involved my friend Kelsey and a partial sew-in that had to be cut out due to severe matting. Each mistake was a lesson, each success a step closer to mastering my craft.

In South Carolina, my high school offered a vocational program in cosmetology, which I eagerly joined. The program promised enough training hours to earn a license upon graduation, but life had other plans. A move to Louisville, Kentucky, before my senior year meant leaving the program behind. Yet, my optimism turned this setback into an opportunity. After graduating high school, I enrolled in Paul Mitchell The School of Louisville, ready to start anew. The year-long hiatus only fueled my excitement as I absorbed fresh perspectives and techniques, tackling real-world challenges with gusto.

Post-graduation, I shadowed several salons, my persistence finally landing me a spot at NOVA, previously Hair By Bennie and Friends. My determination was clear as I shadowed weekly until securing an interview and, ultimately, my first salon job. The apprenticeship year was rigorous, filled with cleaning, shampooing, and assisting other stylists, but the reward was invaluable weekly classes that honed my skills.

Eager to build my clientele, I hustled relentlessly, promoting myself wherever I went. My hard work paid off, filling my schedule within three months. Nights out with my friend Jacqueline became opportunities to network, turning casual conversations into loyal clients. Referrals from satisfied customers further fueled my growth, creating a booming business behind the chair.

As my reputation grew, so did opportunities. I embraced a role in education, traveling to inspire and learn from fellow stylists. While rewarding, the demanding schedule took its toll, leading me to eventually prioritize my personal time.

After nearly a decade with NOVA, I knew it was time to forge my own path. Thus, ABell Style was born. Today, my business thrives, a testament to my dedication, resilience, and unwavering passion for hairstyling.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Years ago, when I started at my first salon, we were required to complete a year-long apprenticeship. At the end of that year, we were given just one day to take on clients. Once that day was fully booked, we’d earn another, and this cycle continued until our entire week was filled.

During my apprenticeship, I continued doing “kitchen hair” to keep the clients I had. I’d work all day at the salon and then head to my clients’ homes to do their hair. This was my way of ensuring that when my book finally opened, those clients would still come see me at the salon.

When my first day opened up on the salon’s books, I made the announcement: no more kitchen hair. I told everyone they could call the salon to book an appointment, and before I knew it, that single day was booked out for three months. Thanks to keeping those connections alive, I had my full week open within a month or so.

Of course, I still had some gaps to fill, so my best friend and I decided to hustle even harder. We spent nearly every night for a year straight going to bars, handing out business cards, and talking up my services. While I still have clients from those bar days, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. It’s tough to be creative when you’re hungover!

What I learned through this process is that the most effective way to grow your clientele is through word of mouth. Ask the clients you love and enjoy working with to refer their friends and family. They’d be thrilled to rave about you if they aren’t already. Your clients are your walking billboards, and their recommendations are more powerful than any advertisement.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

What truly drives me in my creative journey is a deep passion for hair, the loyalty and trust of my clients, and a relentless drive within myself.

Ever since I was young, I’ve been captivated by the world of hair. I spent years begging for a mannequin head for Christmas, just so I could practice styling its hair. When that didn’t happen, I turned my sister and friends into my guinea pigs. I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but those early experiments were invaluable—teaching me lessons that have shaped the stylist I am today.

Even though I knew in my heart that hair was my world, there were always voices telling me otherwise. People would say, “You have to go to college, get a degree. You’ll never make money being a hairdresser.” But I refused to let their doubts define my path. Instead, I set out to prove them wrong, not just for the sake of defiance, but to show myself what I was truly capable of. I’ve always pushed myself to be the best, not only to challenge the naysayers but also to fulfill my potential and deliver the best for my clients.

My education in hair never stops. I’m constantly attending new classes, staying up to date with the latest techniques, or immersing myself in hair-related content on social media. But the real inspiration comes from the person sitting in my chair. Just as our skin, weight, and overall appearance change over time, I believe that our hair should evolve too. I look at each client and ask myself: Is it time for bangs? A fresh highlight? Or maybe it’s time to go bold and cut it all off?

This personalized approach is what keeps my work exciting and fulfilling. It’s not just about following trends or sticking to what’s safe; it’s about understanding the unique needs and desires of each client and translating that into a style that makes them feel confident and beautiful. My mission is to ensure that every person who leaves my chair feels like the best version of themselves, and that’s what drives me every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abellstyle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abellstyle?igsh=MTV3d21jenJ5MzU1NA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinNoosa?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

https://www.instagram.com/gymjohn_productions?igsh=N3phNTdyeWltMXUw

https://www.instagram.com/j.patrice_photography?igsh=dGE1NG1rejE4bHlj