Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chelsey Venuti . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Chelsey, thanks for joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?
It was really hard for me to pick a question because a few of them really stood out to me. But out of all of them, I gravitated to this one the most.
My boss is actually my best friend, and we have been working together now for two years! (It is one of the positives that came out of the shutdown) Since we met in beauty school 7 years ago, we had always wanted to work together. But life was getting in the way and the timing just wasn’t right. Once I had graduated and got licensed, I wasn’t ready to pursue a career as a full time Hairstylist. It seemed really scary to me. So I ended up working as a distributor for salons. I still wanted to be in the beauty industry but wasn’t quite ready to take that leap.
After a few years of doing that, I finally decided to take a position as an assistant at a different salon. I really enjoyed working there! It was great for me to get an idea of working in a fast paced environment and what that looked like.
And then, 2 1/2 months later, the world shut down and I was out of work for about 10 months.
But when we were finally able to work again, my friend had moved locations and opened a bigger salon of her own. And she needed an assistant and asked if I was interested. The stars finally aligned and I said “Absolutely!”
I knew that it would take a lot of work on both our parts, her as a mentor and me as an employee. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes as a stylist. Things that I didn’t have experience on. The way we talk, how we navigate tough situations, how we give our energy. So many things. And all of that was extremely new to me.
But again, she stuck it out. She saw my potential, and was (and still is) always there for me.
In the past two years I have grown so much, and I am incredibly proud of myself. I finally take pride in my work and knowledge. And I have definitely put in the work to get to where I am. But I truly believe that I wouldn’t be where I am without her being by my side throughout it all. She is an absolute powerhouse, and someone I have looked up to since I met her. I am so incredibly blessed that she is a part of my life.
Chelsey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Oh boy, this is a tough one. What initially sparked me going into this career is that I was feeling stagnant at community college. I had been going to school for 5 years and needed a change of pace. I had always been into beauty. I would do makeup on my friends, steal my moms products (sorry mama!) and I was a theatre kid. It was a combo of all of those. When I needed a change, I thought “Why don’t I become a cosmetologist?” Of course I had my reservations, “Will I be able to make a living at this? Will I like it? There are so many amazing artists out there, what will set me apart?” But I decided to take that leap anyway, and I honestly couldn’t be happier. I absolutely love my job, which unfortunately not every one can say that.
One of my absolute favorite parts about my job is being able to give my clients the confidence they want or need. I always tell people that loving the way you look isn’t vain, everyone wants to feel good in the skin they’re in. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
A haircut can quite literally change someone’s life. I know it might sound silly, but think about the last time you got a haircut that you loved, and how it made you feel!
Something that is really important to me is mental health. Especially with the difficulties that the pandemic has brought on. It can be really hard to feel good, so creating a safe space for clients to come in and unload what they need is super important to me.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think taking away the competition from it all. We are all our own individuals. We all do hair differently. And there can definitely be a feeling of competition between stylists. Instead of competing, we need to focus on lifting each other up and supporting each other. There is a stylist and a client for everyone.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Being yourself! This is one thing that was really difficult for me in the beginning, and definitely still can be at times. Conveying my personality, values, knowledge, and my skill is really hard to portray. But with practice it has gotten easier and easier.
It can be hard to get out of my head sometimes, and I tend to compare myself to others. But I try my best to remember that the clients that sit in my chair come to me for a reason!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glossedstudio.com/
- Instagram: @chaaabeauty
Image Credits
Marlise Jimenez