We recently connected with Austin Haynes and have shared our conversation below.

Austin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

I met Lauren Reyes when I first got into cosmetology school, and I’ve loved her ever since. 15 years later, we’re still friends, and when I was unsure about my future, she offered to take me on as an employee in her salon suite, and expand it to make room for me. Although I’m an employee on paper, she makes sure to ask my opinion on every decision big or small, and truly treats me as an equal. She’s an incredible woman, and anyone who ever gets the chance to meet her, is very lucky!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been doing hair for 15 years, from a little school in Kennesaw, and now a friend and I have a suite together in Midtown, Atlanta. We love focusing on more blended, natural looks, and maintaining the quality of your hair. I’ve done stand-up, and Lauren is a theater kid, so our salon is never boring! Our salon is generally filled with laughter and I love it so much! I genuinely hope that everyone that comes to our salon feels better both outside and inside after their appointment! If anyone is wanting to come visit us, I can guarantee we will do everything we can to help you reach your hair goals! For all the fun we have, we do not take your hair lightly, we both understand how important your hair is to you, and we’ll treat it as such!

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I absolutely would! I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do once I got out of high school, but I’m so glad I chose being a stylist! It’s a rewarding career, I love being able to help and take care of other people, especially now.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Being able to talk to people. Being a stylist can be tough for more reasons than just the hair. Over time, you really connect with your clients, we’re there when you graduate high school and go to college, when you get married, have kids, get a puppy! I’ve witnessed so much of life with my clients, and when they move or something big happens to then, you really feel for them. I always say we give a little piece of our souls to our clients, they’re why I love this business so much.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurenreyessalon.org/
• Instagram: @whipsnblondage
• Other: [email protected] [email protected]