We recently connected with Brynne Dubin and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Brynne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I have been in the beauty industry, going on 15 years now. There have been numerous times in my career when I questioned this path. As a stylist behind the chair, there are always going to be times of uncertainty. Hair dressers rely on their clients to show up to their appointments in order to pay the bills, feed their families, and keep the salon lights on. In the past 5 years, I have seen many of my colleagues leave the industry due to the uncertainty of the economy, inflation costs, and clients unable to continue their salon spending habits. It can be discouraging and definitely make you question if this is a better career path than having a job with a salary, where you know the money is going to be there, and you get health insurance. Like many others that work behind the chair, I only get paid if my clients show up, and my overhead expenses are higher than they have ever been. But, at the end of the day, I absolutely love what I do. I love all of the people who have supported me along the way, and I can not imagine myself being happy in another career.
Brynne, 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?
I grew up in Arizona. I have two beautiful doodle dogs and I love being outdoors. I went to ASU for a few years, but was unhappy with my major and just really unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I actually would tell people I was a “hair color specialist“ while living in the dorms, and would color people’s hair for them. In reality, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. And this was in the early days of YouTube, so I really was just winging it. I had a friend say to me “why don’t you just go to school to be a hair dresser?” And honestly the thought had never occurred to me, that I could apply what I already enjoyed doing, into a career. So I left ASU, got my associates degree, and went off to cosmetology school.
I went to an amazing school, Penrose Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. They provided incredible opportunities for me to be really creative and it sparked a love for doing Avant-garde looks, as well as a knowledgeable base for working behind the chair.
I working in multiple salons before taking the leap into suite rental. Within the last year, I have opened my home salon, which has been a long time goal for me.
I currently offer hair color, sculpting, and extension services at my salon. I am also available to go on-location for wedding/special event hair, and editorial hair.
I have done a lot of incredible photo shoots and runway shows over the years, but I am most proud when I finish styling someone’s hair in my salon chair and I see the smile on their face. To bring confidence to my clients is a priceless experience.
Have you ever had to pivot?
There have been a lot of times I have had to pivot from where I thought I was heading. The one that sticks out the most for me is actually my first job. I worked in a very popular mini chain of salons with a lot of brilliant hair dressers. When I got the job there, I was SO excited. They were renowned for their education system and work with high end brands. I was excited to be given opportunities for commercial work, but at the same time, it was a very cliquey and toxic environment. During my first year there, I had to have emergency hand surgery and was out of work for a couple of months. They wanted me to resign and come back as a new hire when I was ready, but I refused to do so because I didn’t want a lapse in my employment. When I returned, the vibes towards me from management had shifted, and the roles I had been promised have been given to someone else. I was being passed over for promotion (which would raise my prices, in turn my income), and I was not allowed to go to classes I was paying for myself, unless approved by management, which they continually denied. I transferred locations in hope of better treatment, but it was clear to me their high turnover rate was for good reason, and I had to leave what I thought was my dream job, to start somewhere new. It was honestly the best decision I ever made. Though the new salon was small, the coworkers and owners were happy to support my goals and helped to make them possible. It led me to where I am today, and I am so grateful. And not for nothing, but the old salon is no longer in business.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I know not everyone will agree that hair is art, but it can be. There are so many brilliant artists out there. For my industry, it’s important for hair dressers to work with photographers, clothing stylists, make-up artists, etc… because there can be magic made in these spaces. I believe there is such a benefit to collaboration between different art mediums to produce some really beautiful and thought provoking imagery, especially in today’s social-media age.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Shane Baker
Dave Kelley