We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bailey Spengler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bailey below.
Bailey, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
My name is Bailey, and im a 25 year old hairstylist. When I was in high school, I was pressured to feel that 4 year universities was what determined how successful I’d be. I was never given the option to pursue a trade or a creative career – like I ended up in. I remember being so mad at my mom for not letting me go to a 4 year university, even though I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do. I was 18 and wanted to go with what my school told me would make me a worthy adult, even if it cost thousands of dollars for me to “fit in”. I just remember floating around my community college aimlessly trying to find myself, my niche and where I was meant to be. I was so lost. Luckily I didn’t waste much time (or money, thanks mom) finding that passion. I ended up interviewing at Salon Ludic for a part-time receptionist position, and I not only found my place, but I found my people as well. They guided me, encouraged me and showed me that a “traditional” degree doesn’t determine how successful a person can be. I ended up dropping out of community college and enrolling in cosmetology school the same day after about a year of working there. Since then I have absolutely flourished in my career with no student debt. If I could go back and tell 18 year old Bailey that it would be okay and that just because I took a route that wasn’t viewed as traditional, didn’t mean that I wouldn’t find something to be passionate about. I wish that schools showed students that if you don’t align with a traditional 4 year university, you will be okay and there are endless options and possibilities. I wish that they weren’t so caught up in bragging that 80% of their graduates went onto a 4 year university, and I wish that all the creatives and hands-on, don’t fit into a textbook kids were shown that they have just as much opportunity. If I would’ve been told that cosmetology was an option from the jump, I could’ve been 5 more years into my career, but I’m one of the lucky ones, a lot of people go through the 4 year university, get a degree and then never use it because they find out that they’re meant to be a hairstylist, an electrician, a plumber, or an esthetician. My goal has always been to show kids that they can do whatever they put their mind to, and are passionate about, that’s why I offer free shadow days, just for them to check out the industry and how things really are, because nobody would believe how many people told me that I would make no money.
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.
My name is Bailey Spengler, I am 25 years old and I’m a hairstylist at Salon Ludic in O’Fallon IL. I kind of stumbled into this industry by accident. I had always been into beauty, loved doing my makeup and hair for as long as I can remember. I got a part time job at Salon Ludic as a receptionist in 2018 right after I graduated highschool and the girls convinced me that I was made to be a stylist. So off to school I went, and I never looked back. As of today, I am a blonding/balayage and extension specialist, but those are just some of my favorite services. I love creating custom colors and transforming people to feel like their best selves and channeling their innermost beauty and confidence. What I think sets me apart from other stylists is my ability to connect with people. I’ve always really loved people, learning about them, laughing and crying with them, and that’s probably my favorite part about my job. I get to be by my clients side through all walks of life. Weddings, babies, promotions but also, divorces, losses, and every other curveball life throws, and I get to be the person to make them feel beautiful through these things. Which is so unbelievably rewarding. I am probably most proud that in such a huge industry, I never have lost sight of who I am and what our companies core values are, and maintaining that through every season growth and failure I’ve ever faced. I just really love to make people laugh and smile, that’s what fills my cup. I think I’ve had “radiate positivity” in my Instagram bio for like 12 years now…LOL
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
In this industry it really requires drive and hustle. I had to really take a step and unlearn that blaming things on the outside world is not how you get people in your chair. I would go through slow spells and have this pity party because it was slow when in reality I wasn’t doing the things that I needed to do in order to promote and build my business. And when I did, the opposite happened!!!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal is always to grow and educate like minded stylists. I’m slowly finding that my passion lies in growing other people alongside me. I love teaching and within my salon, I’ve taken on the role of “New Stylist Mentor” and it’s becoming something that I never knew I loved so much. My role is to help stylist right out of school to grow and scale their business in a manner that will set them up for success for their whole career. This is the goal. I love to watch the younger girls find their fire and passion and become these thriving stylists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://salonludic.com
- Instagram: baileyjbeauty
- Facebook: Bailey Spengler
- Yelp: Salon Ludic
- Other: TikTok: @baileyjbeauty
Image Credits
Halle DeRagisch- all images