Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amber Vetsch. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

There is such a cliche about the term “no risk, no reward,” but there is so much truth to that. Growth doesn’t happen when you’re in the comfort-zone, but when you push yourself to venture outside of it. Every day I remind myself that if i’m not uncomfortable then I’m not growing, and it helps push me past my own personal “glass ceiling.” It is so common to see others rely on how outsiders view their accomplishments in order to feel value in what they’re doing. Success comes when you focus on what it means for yourself, and if at the end of the day YOU are proud of what you’ve set out to do. Push yourself out of your norm, you’ll be surprised what you can be capable of with a shift in your inner-dialogue.

Amber, 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?

I am a 29 year old who is living my best life as the co-owner of Dahlia Noir Salon in Frederick, Maryland. I started my “official” path into the beauty industry in 2012 after graduating high school, though I spent my teenage years coloring and cutting not only my own hair, but my friends’ hair as well. I’m a Kevin Murphy session stylist, which means I represent the Kevin Murphy brand as an ambassador. I’ve always found myself fortunate to have found my passion in a profession that allows me to stretch my creative freedom while also stimulating the part of me who loves math and science. There is nothing more satisfying to me than really getting to know a guest and learning about who they are on the inside versus who they are on the outside, and finding a way to marry the two in order to create a look that is entirely their own. Being a hair stylist is equal parts how well you do your job, and the relationship you build with your guests. My business partner, Leigh Neely, and I have worked tirelessly to create a safe space where our guests know they can come entirely as they are, and it has allowed us to connect with them on a deeper level. We have spent the last three years maximizing our potential in a 275SF salon suite, and are now in the process of building out a salon in a 1500SF space that will allow us to bring in other stylists who share our core values.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met my business partner, Leigh Neely, when we worked together at a large salon in the Frederick area. Throughout the four years we worked alongside each other we realized that our goals, work ethic, and general energy that we bring to the workplace aligned seamlessly. During the covid shutdown of 2020 we decided to take the plunge and create a space that was entirely us- modern with an edge. Our skillsets, behind the chair and otherwise, complement each other in such a harmonious way that keeps the energy in our space welcoming and calm. We both have designated administrative tasks that play to our strong suits and allows our day to day to run smoothly. Since opening our doors we have both become moms, and having another aspect of our life run so parallel has been a joy. Opening Dahlia Noir with Leigh has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, and every day I’m lucky that I get to grow our brand and our community with her.

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

In cosmetology school they teach you to say yes to everything, but what about when it gets in the way of spending time with your loved ones, or doing something that feeds your soul? When you’re behind the chair it’s not uncommon to be booked past your set working hours for the sake of fitting in “just one more hair cut,” be booked a service you may not be comfortable doing, or going a whole day without enough break time to do more than chug your iced coffee. For years that has been expected of stylists trying to “prove themselves” in this industry. There is such a deep sense of guilt you feel when you say no to not staying late for a client or for requesting off work on a Saturday. I held onto that “say yes” mentality for far too long, and it came at the detriment to my own quality of life. In March 2020 when the state of Maryland shut down salons, it forced me to take a step back and reflect on how skewed my work/life balance was. What was originally going to be a two week break turned into two and a half months of not knowing when businesses would be able to open again. Every day I would think “who am I other than someone’s hair stylist?” It took being forced to sit at home and wait for time to pass to realize that I had severely neglected any life I had outside of the salon, and I was burnt out. It was then that I knew I needed to make a big shift in how I had to approach my career. I absolutely love being a hairstylist, but I needed to relearn how to set boundaries. It is something I have to work to remind myself of every day. My business partner’s voice will pop in and remind me that sometimes if I say yes to someone else, I’m saying no to myself. Best advice I can give to stylists whether they’re just starting out or have been behind the chair for 25 years- IT’S OKAY TO SAY NO. You’re not any less of a stylist if you set that boundary to protect your own limits.

Contact Info:

• Website: dahlianoirsalon.com
• Instagram: @dahliaxamber @dahlianoirsalon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dahlianoirsalon/

Image Credits
Brad Barnwell Photography, out of Frederick, MD.