We recently connected with Alexis Pouncy and have shared our conversation below.

Alexis , appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Not a single day goes by where I have ever regretted my decisions with my career choices.

Being a creative and running my own business hasn’t been the easiest career decision. There are days where it feels like I’m on top of the world, and others where it feels like I’m barely treading in the water. Even with the difficulties, it keeps life interesting and helps me to grow more as a person and artist.

One thing I will say with complete confidence is: even on my worst business days, I still feel a thousand times more grateful and fulfilled than I ever did working in jobs I wasn’t passionate about.

There’s an energetic difference between the two: One lights you up and despite the strenuous journey it can bring, there will never be a doubt you are on the right path. The Latter can create stagnation or even feelings of restlessness. It at times, has been known to slowly steal away joy or even a sense of purpose.

There are always going to be days at any type of job that leave you feeling strained or weary. My want is to always pick the one that sets my heart on fire in the process. That way I can stay motivated to push forward.

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 Alexis Pouncy, and I’m a Dallas based hairstylist. I specialize in bridal, filming and photoshoot styling.

Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by the arts. My grandmother is a costumer, my aunt is a dancer, my grandfather and uncle are guitarists, and even my great aunt was a painter.
Being around their influence, I was always praised to live from my heart and to do things I was passionate in.
(Fun fact: I’m also a violinist, pianist and ex novice ballet dancer.)

The one major career defining moment I had was to finally broaden into what I truly wanted, and trusted my gut to leave the full service salon I was working in 4 years ago.

I will never forget seeing my now boss Leslie Barajas on Instagram for the first time. I remember thinking, I didn’t care what it takes- I’m working for her.

I sent Leslie emails asking to just watch her work while simultaneously, liking and commenting on all of her posts so she wouldn’t forget who I was. After 5 months of berating, we met for lunch and talked about what it would be like to work together.

Fast forward 4 incredible years: the once tiny suite Leslie and I worked in, has blossomed into a huge studio in Deep Ellum with a team of 12 artists. Just 2 months ago, I began running our education training for the studio.

Our team’s endeavors have helped expand me creatively, and to thrive as an artist. I am truly living the creative life I envisioned for myself at 15.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

My biggest lesson I’ve had to unlearn was to stop people pleasing my way through life and to live authentically for myself.

I remember sitting in on a class with Debra Dietrich, where she said: “It is never going to be your business or right to know what someone thinks of you. Their thoughts are their own personal right. Just like your own thoughts are seldom yours. So when you feel like someone doesn’t like you, remind yourself- it is not your problem.”

At 18 that lesson didn’t make total sense to me. However now being 25 with 6 years in this industry, the advise reigns true.

There will always be a nay-sayer in the room, who doesn’t like your work or has a negative opinion. The key, is to remember it’s not your responsibility to please every single person. You never will.

Stay strong in who you are, and make every move objective and authentic to who you are. The rest of the opinions can fall to the waist side.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Each morning when I wake up and start getting ready for the day, I’m never plagued with dreading work or my life in the process.

I wake up every single day, feeling grateful to be in an industry and job that fills me to the brim with joy. While I’m getting ready, I feel genuine excitement for what the day will bring.

When I leave the studio after working a long day, I’m never scrambling to get home as fast as I can. I may be tired, but I’m leaving feeling fulfilled and at peace with where my life is.

I can’t express to you how much inner peace, joy, and fulfillment I’ve received after creating a life that is tailored to my own passions. There’s an enormous sense of gratitude I have for being able to experience what that’s truly like.

Contact Info:

• Website: alexispouncy.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/pouncyhairartistry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexisPouncyHairArtistry/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-pouncy-10a6b6a0
• Other: My Editorial Portfolio Work Website: alexispouncyartistry.com

Image Credits
Photo 1: Vanessa Tellez and Lorann Schindler, Wallflower Agency, Texas Studios Photo 2: Ivan Flores, TTMOmag, Morgan Raine, Alexus Condé, The Studio 201 Photo 3: Ana + Travis Haile, Hidden Pines Chapel Hurst, LaNita Myers Photo 4: Olivia Boone Brown, Silver Bear Creative, The Mason Dallas, Estefany Resendez Photo 5: Kendall Wallace, Alex Blair Photography, Miranda Bell-Whitney, Stoney Ridge Event Villa, Christian Cannon Photo 6: The Emerson DFW Event Venue, Kolbie Does Makeup, Savannah Strebor, Holly Roberts Photography, Victoria E Photography Photo 7: Jonny Ngo, Kaylee Davis, Christian Cannon, The Studio 201 Photo 8: Alexandra Jo Photography, Chloe Bergren, Estefany Resendez, The Studio 201