We recently connected with Amanda Grant and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

My journey in the hair industry spans fourteen transformative years. Over this time, I have evolved from the traditional expectations of a hairstylist—cutting, coloring, bridal styling, editorial work, and more—to finding a deeper purpose in my craft. I have always believed that there is more to this profession than simply making people look good; it is about helping them feel uplifted at a soul level.

My focus has always been on providing an exceptional experience for my clients. As I refined my services over the years, I honed my passion for hair color and scalp care by creating a service menu focused on these areas. Which allows me to bring my full, genuine energy to these specialties. This focus has given me the freedom to be creative in my business while seamlessly integrating healing into my work.

I am proud to be Level 2 Reiki certified, with extensive training in healing touch modalities, and I am continually seeking new ways to incorporate wellness into my services. It is incredibly rewarding to create an environment where my clients can experience genuine self-care. Whether it is a stay-at-home mom (or dad) getting a much-needed break, helping someone discover the power of a healthy scalp, sparking their interest in healing, or a CEO finding a moment of peace. I cherish the opportunity to hold space for my clients in this way.

My mission goes beyond just offering hair services. It is about uplifting those around me through the integration of wellness and care, creating a positive, nurturing experience for everyone who sits in my chair. Through my craft, it is my goal to create a ripple effect of love and light to my community and beyond.

Amanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into the hair industry started when I was nineteen, after I had grown weary of bouncing from one retail job to another and realizing that traditional schooling was not the path for me. I have always been a creative spirit who values freedom, so when a cosmetology school I had casually inquired about months earlier called me during a lunch break while working at Victorias Secret, it felt like fate stepping in and shining a light on a new path. At the time, I had no idea that hair would soon become my passion.

I began cosmetology school all was exciting and new, and I still didn’t have any expectations of where I would be after school was over. It wasn’t until I did my introduction to hair color class, I knew I had found my calling. I found fulfillment in helping others solve their hair concerns and, more importantly, in making people feel good about themselves. My discipline and dedication to my craft took root early on. I would work at my retail job from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM, attend school from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and then do hair for “clients” in my tiny studio apartment until late at night. I was learning as I went, sometimes without really knowing what I was doing, but my determination and passion kept me going.

Shortly after finishing cosmetology school, I had the incredible opportunity to be involved in the early days of The Hair Nerds. What started as a passion project—traveling to hair shows and interviewing the industry’s top artists—grew into a vibrant indie trade media platform that has evolved and still serves the hair community today. While I thrived on the excitement and creativity of The Hair Nerds, I soon realized that the constant travel didn’t align with the life I wanted to build, which centered around growing my business and starting a family.

As I shifted my focus to building my own business, I explored the editorial side of the industry, working with online magazines and assisting NAHA winner Steve Elias on various projects, including his online Tantalum Magazine. These experiences deepened my respect for editorial work and offered me invaluable insights. However, they also clarified that my true passion lies elsewhere—specifically, in connecting with clients and helping make a small difference in someone’s life.

During this time, I also began to cultivate a strong clientele, including Marlena Stell, the founder of Make-Up Geek. Marlena’s support allowed me to explore new avenues, like YouTube exposure, opportunities to style hair for her brand campaign, and many moments of inspiration by having positive and motivating conversations about the beauty industry and business. These moments are close to my heart and the experiences with Marlena added another dimension to my career.

In 2015, an unexpected turn of events led my co-worker, Rose, and I down the path to salon ownership. In early 2016, we had found and opened our own space within a month’s time, working tirelessly—days, nights, and weekends—while also being mothers to young children. With the help of our partners, family, and friends, we got our salon up and running. We quickly realized that salon ownership involved much more than just creating an amazing and inclusive space. Our first year was full of pivots and adjustments, while being proud of every decision we made and seeing the salon blossom. We invested in coaching and industry business classes, always striving to be the best for our team and our guests.
Fast forward to the pandemic, which challenged many of us in profound ways– had led me to a pivotal decision. In 2021, after much reflection and a strong pull to focus on being a newly single mom to my two children and focus on my own healing, I decided to sell my part of Tribe Salon. Confident in knowing Rose had a fantastic vision for its future. Choosing to step away from salon ownership might seem like a setback to some, but for me, it was a liberation—a chance to let go of what others might have expected and allowed me to continue both my career and spiritual journey with a newly inspired purpose.
Tribe Salon and Spa has grown into one of the top salons in Roseville, CA, and I am deeply honored to have been part of its journey from the very beginning. Witnessing the evolution of Tribe Salon from its early days to the thriving space it is today fills me with so much pride and gratitude.

Shortly after starting fresh in 2023 at Rhapsody Hair in Sacramento, I discovered I was expecting my third child with my life partner. As surprising and exciting it was to discover this news while beginning a new adventure, it also seemed very fitting to be birthing new ideas and bringing in a new soul into the world at the same time. During my pregnancy, I came across a coaching opportunity where I could incorporate my certification as a reiki practitioner and passion for healing into my services. I did my coaching with Becoming Ceremony where I furthered my spiritual toolkit and was able to learn and practice healing touch modalities while giving the structure to incorporate into my business. Meanwhile, tailoring my services to incorporate healing modalities from reiki, healing touch, aromatherapy, crystal healing and more.

Coming back from maternity leave early this year was challenging, especially as I navigated a difficult post-partum experience. But through the pain and grief- love and inspired ideas emerged. With the support of my partner and the inspiration of becoming a mother once again, I developed the Healing Touch Scalp Therapy services that I now offer. Facing post-partum hair loss for the third time—I became determined to deepen my understanding and turn my experience into something positive for others. This journey ignited a new passion for scalp health. My Healing Touch Scalp Therapy services offer more than just a scalp facial; they are designed as a true wellness experience. Each of the three offerings is inspired by a specific chakra: the root chakra, symbolizing grounding and stability; the heart chakra, representing universal love and balance; and the crown chakra, bringing clarity, and alignment with one’s higher self.

Hair loss can be incredibly frustrating, and while I have come to realize that no two cases are alike and that there are many factors involved in hair loss that are beyond my control. However, I am committed to focusing on what I can do— by helping others prioritize scalp health. My mission is to gently guide individuals in appreciating the vital role of scalp care, achieving natural-looking hair color, and incorporating mindfulness into their self-care routines. I strive to help clients feel a renewed sense of control and bring a nurturing, positive touch to their daily lives, supporting their journey towards both outer beauty and inner well-being.

As Marcel Proust wisely said, “We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” This quote profoundly resonates with me as I step into this new and inspiring chapter of my life. With patience, determination, and a heart full of purpose, I am carefully writing the next part of my story, committed to serving others in ways that are both transformative and deeply meaningful.

Every experience along my path has been a guide, shaping me and drawing me closer to my true life’s purpose: building a life and career that reflect my deepest values and passions. I am filled with gratitude for each moment that has brought me here, and now, I am ready to embrace the wisdom that this journey has gifted me. I look forward to sharing it with those who need it most, knowing that in doing so, I am fulfilling my purpose in the most authentic and impactful way.

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

The most rewarding part of being a creative is, freedom. Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a strong desire to carve my own path. I’ve never been one to enjoy being told what to do or how to think. Don’t get me wrong—I absolutely value constructive criticism and the insights of others, but the essence of how I create a life I’m proud of comes from within. It’s about tapping into my higher self, trusting my “pings”, and following the unique vision that only I can see.

Being a creative means embracing the ebbs and flows of the process. There are times when the ideas don’t come easily, and that can be frustrating. In these moments of quietness, it allows me to reflect, regroup, and eventually, they lead to a creative flow that I thrive on. It’s in those moments of flow that I feel most alive—when I’m able to bring my ideas to life in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.

Ultimately, the freedom to create, to express myself, and to shape my own journey is what drives me. It’s incredibly rewarding to look back and see the lessons I have learned, knowing that it’s a reflection of who I am at my core. Every idea, every pivot and every challenge give an opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible and to continue evolving. That’s what makes being a creative so fulfilling—it’s not just what I do; it’s a part of who I am.

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

Like many others, I was taught that success meant following a traditional path—going to college, getting a degree, securing a career, earning a salary, and climbing the corporate ladder. I tried to follow that path, but quickly discovered that it didn’t inspire me. This belief was so deeply ingrained in me that, for a long time, I equated my self-worth with these “success markers”, even after finishing cosmetology school.

As I began to explore my creative passions and pursued a career in the hair and wellness industry- while also embarking on my own healing journey, I realized that this definition of success didn’t align with my vision for my life. Through discovery of different avenues within the hair industry, I learned there was so much more to just doing hair and I had to find the avenue in which I would thrive and bring the most value to my community. I had to unlearn the lesson that success is a one-size-fits-all concept, measured by society’s standards. Instead, I’m learning to redefine success on my own terms—by the joy I find in my work, the impact I have on my clients, and the fulfillment I feel in living an authentic life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @formulablonde

Image Credits

I am still waiting for photographer to get back to me about using recent images, but wanted to get you the interview as soon as I could.