Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Raine.

Hi Rebecca, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

After finishing beauty school, I landed a job at a hair salon my mom loved. Spoiler alert: it was a total letdown. The place thrived on gossip—stylists trash-talking guests, each other, and even themselves. It felt more like high school than a career and I definitely didn’t fit the cookie-cutter hairstylist mold. Fast forward a few months and I was over it. I traded my shears for espresso shots and dove headfirst into the world of coffee. There was something electric about the constant chatter, the daily grind, and the endless amounts of caffeine.

Despite finding my groove in the coffee world, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had unfinished business behind the chair. One day, a regular at the café inquired why I left hairstyling. I admitted I felt like an outsider in the beauty world. My demeanor and appearance just weren’t what people wanted or expected. Her response was simple yet profound: ‘Wouldn’t you want YOU to do your hair?’ That hit hard. It made me realize that perhaps what the industry needed most was someone exactly like me.

Fast forward about a decade and I’ve built my career and my salon around this philosophy—creating a welcoming space for those who don’t fit the conventional mold. Our salon is a place where guests might not know any hair terminology and where stylists are free to conform or rebel against traditional beauty standards.

Looking back, it’s ironic that the most crucial lesson about my career came from deciding to leave it. But that step back was exactly what led to the leap forward that defined my salon and my approach to this industry.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

One of the biggest obstacles to creating my dream career was finding minded people to connect with along the way. Truth be told, there are a lot of days that I still feel like an odd duck in the beauty world. While the beauty sector is renowned for its creativity and vibrant energy, it can also be isolating for those who dare to forge their own path.

For myself personally, the challenge was not just about building a business—it was about finding a community of individuals that resonated with my unique belief that there is room for everybody at the table. A belief that everyone was beautiful and belonged. By embracing my individuality and reaching out to unconventional networks, I have built a hair salon in Seattle that stands as a testament to this mind set. We’re celebrating our 2nd birthday on March 1, 2025 and I could not be more proud of what we have all created. The individuals who work at Lady Neptune each embody a different aspect of this mission & I am inspired by each of these people every single day. Ultimately, I want to help others who might feel like outsiders in the beauty industry to see that there is strength in our uniqueness,

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

My journey into hairstyling began somewhat unexpectedly. I enrolled in a cosmetology program during high school, knowing that university wasn’t a feasible option for my family and me. Initially, hairstyling was merely a practical career choice but something shifted when I discovered my true calling within this craft. You see, I love people and I love the way a personalized haircut can make them feel. Hair can hold so much energy and memory, which makes an individualized haircut feel life-changing for my clients.

This passion led me to specialize in ‘intuitive haircutting.’ I tailor each haircut to fit the individual’s head shape, growth pattern, hair density, and lifestyle, listening closely to the natural cues of their hair. This approach is especially beneficial for clients who prefer a ‘wash and go’ style, minimizing daily fuss and maintenance. My technique in cutting shags, mullets, pixies, and other layered cuts is akin to sculpting—focused on subtraction and debulking to craft low-maintenance, gracefully aging hairstyles.

Reflecting on the past decade, there are countless moments that fill me with pride. A recent highlight was Lady Neptune being voted the best hair salon in Seattle by the Seattle Times in September 2024. This accolade awarded by our customers, affirms the vision I’ve always had for our salon. To create a space in the beauty industry where everyone is beautiful and belongs. Achieving this was a dream come true, made possible by the incredible support from our community and the exceptional talent of our stylists, who truly are the best hairstylists in Seattle.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

At the beginning of any creative or entrepreneurial journey, it’s essential to embrace the power of curiosity and play. When you’re just starting out, there’s often pressure to be seen as an expert in your field, even though you’re still in the process of learning and growing. Here’s my best advice to help you navigate these early stages:

Embrace Curiosity: Allow yourself the freedom to explore without the weight of needing to be an expert. Curiosity opens the door to unexpected discoveries and innovations that can shape your unique path. Sometimes when you put a pressure on yourself to be “what you think you should be” it blocks you from becoming who you were meant to be. There’s no one like you and so embrace your own individuality and your own creative process.

Experiment Broadly: Rather than immediately niching down, try your hand at a variety of services and approaches. This experimentation helps you uncover what truly excites you and reveals the types of clients and services that resonate with your passion.

Learn Through Play: Engaging in creative play is not just fun—it’s a powerful learning tool. It encourages risk-taking, inspires creativity, and can lead to breakthroughs that more structured methods might miss. I think embracing play is also one of the most powerful ways to connect with like-minded individuals that can help inspire your personal and professional growth.

Seek Mentorship: Don’t hesitate to reach out to mentors from different areas of expertise. Their diverse perspectives can offer invaluable insights, support your growth, and help you navigate challenges as you develop your skills and business.
By allowing yourself the space to experiment and learn, you build a solid foundation for success. If you’re having trouble connecting with a mentor in your immediate geographical area, feel free to shoot me a message @combnshears and I would love to help in whatever way I can!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ladyneptunesalon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combnshears
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-raine/

Image Credits

Rachel Bennett & Danny Sanchez