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

Hi Marisa, thanks for joining us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

Yeah I think we all have felt like an outsider or misunderstood as a person a time or two throughout life and can all agree it’s uncomfortable & we never wanna feel that way again. I think we’re all more alike than different although our interests or even beliefs may be completely opposite. I believe if we gave one another the space to be themselves/ourselves with no judgement not only would our own lives flourish because we’d be able to truly be ourselves but others would too and it creates an all around great environment to spend time in. A positive environment and attitude carries over into all you have contact with & who wouldn’t wanna be known for making others feel good!?

Marisa, 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 became a cosmetologist through my high school trade school, I really didn’t have a solid plan for what I was going to do after high school & was interested in the cosmetology program so I took the opportunity to attend the vocational school and enjoyed the creativity & freedom the industry offered! Working with others in a creative way to enhance their looks became so rewarding. I quickly realized how vulnerable so many clients felt in a salon setting and wanted to ease that feeling. I think it’s a beautiful thing to be able to express and enhance yourself through looks and trends you’re attracted to that also align with your lifestyle so I started catering to that need in my community and it’s been a very beautiful journey. Throughout the years I have tailored my business model behind the chair to both better the clients experience along with my work & skills.

I really enjoy a strong thorough consultation to establish a realistic and manageable haircut or color customized to each client for their needs and lifestyle. I love educating my clients on small changes they can start to include in their routines that make their life easier all while building and maintaining the health of their hair.

My favorite services to provide are textured lived in cuts that provide easy styling when wanted and still looks great when left all natural, fresh blended hair colors that have a natural feel to them ensuring a seamless grow out, and multi-dimensional reds that carry all the vivid tones while still feeling and looking organic.

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

I had to unlearn something I was conditioned and taught from cosmetology school which was a fast paced working style so I could fit more clients in one day resulting in more money. I realized early on this was not only going to cause me burn out and resentment towards a craft I truly love but also limit my creativity and skills. I knew if I continued to work like that I would never feel fulfilled and proud of the work I was producing. I had to stop associating success with the quantity of clients and release myself from those standards to be able to hold myself to quality standards instead.

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

I love being able to help my clients express themselves through their appearance with a fresh haircut or color. It’s so fun bringing to life a vision for someone that puts a pep in their step. It’s so amazing to me that others seek me out for my art and are willing to wear it! Ill always be grateful for these opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.deaconhairco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/marisaaohio
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/marisaaohio

Image Credits
Matt Day photo