We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Fugazzi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned what I do by fully immersing myself in the industry—starting with cosmetology school and then saying “yes” to every opportunity, from styling events to assisting and taking classes. Looking back, I could have sped up my learning process by seeking mentorship earlier and focusing on one niche at a time instead of trying to master everything at once. lol! The most essential skills have been adaptability, creativity, and communication, which allow me to problem-solve, stay inspired, and build trust with clients. My biggest obstacles were balancing life as a single mom with my career, wanting to be present with my kids and grow a career , and battling self-doubt, which sometimes kept me from taking risks—but those challenges ultimately built my resilience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I originally wanted to be a lawyer, but life had other plans. After dropping out of high school, I returned and joined a program that split my senior year between traditional classes and beauty school, which the high school paid for. That summer, I found out I was pregnant while still finishing beauty school. It gave me an even greater push to work hard and create a future for myself and my child.

Now, with over 22 years of experience, I take pride in being an intuitive hairstylist. I listen with all my senses, not just my ears, to truly understand what my clients need—whether it’s a fresh look, a confidence boost, or simply feeling seen. My goal is to provide not just a service but an experience that leaves people feeling their absolute best.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my social media presence was all about connection and staying true to myself. I didn’t just post to follow trends—I posted what felt good to me. I wanted people to know who I am before they even meet me because I’m selling more than my creativity and hair skills—I’m selling me. My personality and my craft is my brand.

Here’s what worked for me:
1. Be Authentic: Share content that reflects who you are, not just what you do. Let people see the person behind the work.
2. Engage Consistently: Respond to comments, connect with followers, and build real relationships—it’s about people, not numbers.
3. Post What Feels Right: I don’t follow the “rules.” I focus on what aligns with my brand and what feels authentic.
4. Show the Process: Share the behind-the-scenes moments. People love seeing the journey, not just the end result.
5. Focus on Connection: Relationships are what build trust, and trust is what grows your brand.

Social media works best when it feels real—for you and for your audience.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that I needed to say “yes” to everything to succeed. Early in my career, I took every opportunity, but it led to burnout and made balancing work and motherhood almost impossible.

The turning point was realizing that doing everything wasn’t the key—doing the right things was. Now, I focus on opportunities that align with my goals, creativity, and the life I want to live.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://StephanieFugazzi.com
• Instagram: Stephanie.fugazzi_hair
• Facebook: Stephanie Fugazzi

Image Credits

Nicole Marcelli
Angelli