We recently connected with Alyssa Messamore and have shared our conversation below.

Alyssa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I do earn a full-time living from my creative work! It’s amazing that I’m finally at this point in my life because of all the hard work I’ve done to actually get here, and getting paid for something that I have such a passion doing is unfathomable to me! I feel so fortunate to live this life I have built for myself, but it definitely came with its challenges. Before I actually knew I wanted to be a cosmetologist full-time, I went to college for psychology. Of course, the things I learned definitely did not go to waste, but I can’t help thinking to myself sometimes how many years I could have put in behind the chair if I hadn’t done that. I had to figure out what I wanted for myself in life, and I am so thankful I took time to do so. I took a few years after that to “find myself” and was working in the hospitality industry before I took a leap of faith for myself. I finally decided after the pandemic to enroll in cosmetology school, with the encouragement of my now husband, my family, and best friends. During that time, I was working at a nicer restaurant in downtown Nashville as their special events bartender by day, and cosmetology student by night. I’ll be the first one to tell you that working and going to school full time isn’t for the weak! It was hard, tiresome. and frustrating more often than not, but it was the light at the end of the tunnel that made it all worth it. Being at this point in my life, and knowing all that I know now, after experiencing so many different things that led me to where I am today; I wouldn’t change a thing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Alyssa Messamore, and I have been in the beauty industry for 4+ years. I am a redhead specialist, extension artist, and cosmetologist at August Pearl Salon in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. I fell in love with this industry while I was still in high school, all thanks to my friends and family for being the guinea pigs of my hair coloring experiments in my bathroom when we were bored. After graduating high school and immediately going to college, I learned quickly that the traditional school life was not for me. I had always been in love with the idea of a career that had no boundaries and that tested my limits. I had always been under the impression and pressure of society that being a hairstylist wasn’t a “real job,” but I’m here to tell you that it is not only a real job, but an essential part of life for most everyone. Stepping into my cosmetology career has taught me more discipline than I ever thought I had in me. It’s a lot of hard work, both mentally and physically; it’s having the confidence to transform someone’s day while also staying humble and grounded for yourself and your clients; it’s having integrity and constantly learning, and it’s the rewarding feeling at the end of the day that nobody could ever describe until you feel it for yourself. Being in this industry has opened my eyes significantly, and has helped me be the best version of myself that I possibly could be. I am so extremely passionate about this industry and the people in it, and I am so proud to represent it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of my career is helping people feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful in their own skin again. I hope all clients who I am fortunate enough to have, whether they have been with me for years, once, or are just starting out with me, know and understand that is always my goal.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I don’t want this to come across the wrong way, but I sometimes feel that non-creatives struggle with understanding how hard this industry actually is. To be a hairstylist is to be not only someone that cuts, colors, and styles hair, but to also know chemistry, to be your own social media marketer, to build your own clientele and manage your books, to be a professional photographer, your own manager, cleaning crew, and a therapist. It is often very frustrating when people undermine our hard work and efforts at times because we do wear so many hats that nobody sees.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://locksbylys.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/_locksbylys
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/locksbylys
• Other: https://www.vagaro.com/augustpearlsalon

Image Credits

Kenzi Marie at kenzimariephotography.com