Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
The biggest risk I have ever taken is finishing cosmetology school and moving to Texas from South Carolina within three months. You may ask why that is risky, but as a new stylist you depend on family and friends within your home community to help build your business. When I took the risk and moved here, I became involved in many of the “social media mom groups” and became obsessed with my online presence. I even went to every single business in the town I moved to and handed out my business card with a discount attached to the back.
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
A stylist is so much more than your old school “hair dresser”. While this profession has always been important because we help people feel beautiful, we also serve as a friend, a therapist, a confidant, and many times our clients feel like family. I’ve had many roles in my life- from nursing assistant, podiatry surgical assistant, mural artist, craft brand manager, bourbon craft manager, waiting tables, bartending, and custom hat maker to name a few. My personality thrives on learning as much as I can about myself; the world, different trades, and how I can help people. Anyone in any business that serves people will understand the need to have a profession that fulfills that aspect of their life. I reluctantly fell into this profession because I genuinely loved the artistic side of hair design. I originally wanted to pursue the modeling/acting/ high fashion part of styling but God gave us a sweet baby one month into cosmetology school-and I gave birth six days after graduation- so I directed my attention to blondes and color corrections which are my absolute favorite. I personally love big transformations in life, work, and art. Coming out of this pandemic has genuinely taught me how important my career is, and how essential I am. Not only do I take pride in my work, I genuinely take time to listen to my clients needs in life, and in blonde. Anyone who sits in my chair knows that I hen we are done with the appointment, you are a friend for life.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 2020 Covid hit America. I remember sitting at home watching the terror unfold on the news. I was two years into the industry and only 1.5 years into my own business- Bad Ash Blonding. So many uncertainties within the world. Our industry is regulated on sanitation but greater measures were added to ensure the safety of our clients. It still wasn’t enough. We were told we weren’t essential- although I beg to differ. Instead of sitting quietly at home I set up shop in my house, I traveled to other clients homes, and I made color kits for the clients that preferred to keep distance. I would drive all over the Dallas metroplex delivering color to my clients door in a kit with instructions. I felt like this was important to not only my clientele, but for my mental health and to keep my business going: my social media presence stayed strong, I built the bulk of my clientele, and I stayed busy so that the weight of the world wasn’t able to fall on my shoulders.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The most important lesson I had to unlearn (so far because I believe we have to constantly learn and unlearn) is to not follow the rules. The rules or color are not always true, Blonding is not one size fits all. Every single client is different and their needs and wants change. As a successful client you have to be vigilant in a new consultation every single time that client comes back. Unlearning repetition and learning that trends and styles change as do we. You cannot grow without change.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.badashblonding.com
- Instagram: @Badashblonding
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bad.ash.blonding/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-miller-452944aa
Image Credits
@BadAshBlonding