Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Bell.

Hi Austin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From a young age, I found joy in accompanying my mom to the hair salon. I was captivated by the intoxicating blend of scents, the lively chatter, and especially the array of mannequin heads that offered endless possibilities for hairstyling. At home, my enthusiasm extended to my sister’s Barbie dolls, where I learned the hard way that blow dryers and Barbie hair were a disastrous mix. My persistence led me to experiment on my sister, often with foam rollers, and while the results were far from perfect, they laid the groundwork for my growing passion.

The summer before high school marked the beginning of my serious experimentation. Armed with scissors, dye, and a fearless spirit, I transformed my friends’ looks, sometimes with mixed results. One memorable mishap involved my friend Kelsey and a partial sew-in that had to be cut out due to severe matting. Each mistake was a lesson, each success a step closer to mastering my craft.

In South Carolina, my high school offered a vocational program in cosmetology, which I eagerly joined. The program promised enough training hours to earn a license upon graduation, but life had other plans. A move to Louisville, Kentucky, before my senior year meant leaving the program behind. Yet, my optimism turned this setback into an opportunity. After graduating high school, I enrolled in Paul Mitchell The School of Louisville, ready to start anew. The year-long hiatus only fueled my excitement as I absorbed fresh perspectives and techniques, tackling real-world challenges with gusto.

Post-graduation, I shadowed several salons, my persistence finally landing me a spot at NOVA, previously Hair By Bennie and Friends. My determination was clear as I shadowed weekly until securing an interview and, ultimately, my first salon job. The apprenticeship year was rigorous, filled with cleaning, shampooing, and assisting other stylists, but the reward was invaluable weekly classes that honed my skills.

Eager to build my clientele, I hustled relentlessly, promoting myself wherever I went. My hard work paid off, filling my schedule within three months. Nights out with my friend Jacqueline became opportunities to network, turning casual conversations into loyal clients. Referrals from satisfied customers further fueled my growth, creating a booming business behind the chair.

As my reputation grew, so did opportunities. I embraced a role in education, traveling to inspire and learn from fellow stylists. While rewarding, the demanding schedule took its toll, leading me to eventually prioritize my personal time.

After nearly a decade with NOVA, I knew it was time to forge my own path. Thus, ABell Style was born. Today, my business thrives, a testament to my dedication, resilience, and unwavering passion for hairstyling.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When it comes to being a great hairstylist, there’s no smooth road. It’s about so much more than just hair. There are countless factors involved. When I first started growing my clientele and had multiple new clients in my chair, I had to figure out what their hair goals were. They could say, “I want to be red with a bob,” but there are so many variations of the color red and different types of bobs. Even if they had a photo, they might see one thing while I saw it a different way. I quickly discovered the importance of having the best communication possible to deliver the best work. It became essential to pick up on keywords when someone was rambling about a million things at once.

Trends are always changing, especially in the hair world. To keep growing my craft, I constantly make sure I’m up to date with the latest trends and techniques. However, some of these new trends aren’t always easy to pick apart, and not everyone’s hair is able to achieve the newest and latest look. I’m always learning and growing in my career because I never want to become static in the hair industry. Without continuous growth, there isn’t any forward movement in my career.

The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Building a clientele took relentless effort, from promoting myself to networking and asking for referrals. There were moments of doubt and frustration, especially when a technique didn’t turn out as planned or a client was unhappy. But each setback was an opportunity to learn and improve.

Balancing the demands of the job also posed its own set of hurdles. Working long hours behind the chair, managing client expectations, and finding time for continued education often left me feeling stretched thin. Travel and teaching further strained my schedule, leading me to make tough choices about where to invest my energy.

Despite these challenges, my passion for hairstyling and dedication to my clients kept me going. Overcoming each obstacle made me a stronger, more resilient stylist. It’s the love for the craft, the joy of transforming someone’s look, and the connections I build with clients that make every bump in the road worth it. Today, with ABell Style thriving, I see each struggle as a stepping stone to success, shaping me into the hairstylist I am proud to be.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my journey as a hairstylist, I’ve always embraced the idea that versatility is key. Unlike many stylists who place themselves in one category, I pride myself on being diverse in all aspects of hair. If there’s ever something I can’t deliver, like a perm, I won’t hesitate to refer a client to someone who can.

My philosophy intertwines the artistry of color and cutting. I believe that a well-executed color can highlight the details of a cut, just as a great cut can showcase the vibrancy of the color. While I enjoy collaborating with others to bring a vision to life, the true magic happens when I’m behind the chair, creating that vision for my clients every day.

Specializing in extensions and coloring, I find immense joy in transforming looks. Blondes and natural-looking redheads are particular favorites of mine, though I also relish the creativity that comes with fantasy colors. When it comes to cutting, my expertise spans a range of styles—pixies, men’s hair, bobs, curly hair, and long hair.

What sets me apart from others is my full-spectrum approach to hair. I don’t limit myself to specific techniques or styles; instead, I strive to master all aspects of hairstyling. However, I’m honest about what I don’t enjoy—perms, relaxers, and updos—so I focus my energy on what I love and excel at.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t know if luck truly exists, but I do believe in manifesting. I believe that if I put my mind to something, it will happen. I’ve worked really hard to put myself out there, consistently pushing myself outside my comfort zone, striving for the next new thing to grow both personally and professionally. I never want to look back and think, “I should have just done it.” Instead, I take those chances and see what happens, whether the outcome is negative or positive.

Last year, I decided to take a chance and signed up for a hairstyling competition to find the Best Hairdresser in the USA. I signed up and then completely forgot about it. A few months later, while camping off the grid, I suddenly got service and saw multiple missed calls from a Spain number. Thinking it was spam, I almost ignored it until I checked my email. To my shock, I found out I was a finalist and had to be in NYC next Thursday. I wondered if I was really about to drop everything and go to NYC.

A few days later, I did just that. I booked a flight and hotel room with no knowledge of what I was getting myself into. It turned out to be a casting call for “HairStyling The Talent Show.” I was one of hundreds, if not thousands, of hairstylists who had entered.

During the casting call, we faced a series of hands-on, timed challenges. The first was a “Fantasy Look.” When the instructor said “GO,” I took a moment to look around and realized, “Everyone here already planned out what they were going to execute, and I did not.” I spent the first 20 minutes messing around until the instructor announced, “You have 10 minutes left!” Somehow, I managed to whip up my vision in those final minutes.

After completing the other challenges, we left, and they told us we would know if we made it to the next round within three hours. Sure enough, I made it to the next round, with only 50 stylists remaining. I left NYC unsure if I had done well or not, flying back home to Louisville, Kentucky, with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

About a month later, I received the incredible news that I made it to the top 10 in the USA and was being flown to Madrid, Spain, for two weeks to film “HairStyling The Talent Show.” My jaw dropped to the ground. The rest is history.

Looking back, it’s clear that my belief in manifesting and taking risks played a significant role in this journey. Whether it was luck, hard work, or a bit of both, I seized the opportunities in front of me and turned them into something extraordinary.

Contact Info:

• Website: ABellStyle.com
• Instagram: ABellStyle
• Facebook: ABellStyle