We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Austin Knight. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Austin below.

Austin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

For the first six to eight years of my career, I would have emphatically said yes—I was happy as an artist and creative. And to be clear, I still find joy and fulfillment in this work. However, as I get older, I’m realizing the physical toll it takes. This career often demands sacrifices from your body that aren’t immediately apparent. I’m only 31, but I already deal with chronic pain in my knees, back, and shoulders. I see a massage therapist monthly and a chiropractor biweekly just to maintain my ability to do my job.

I do appreciate the freedom this career offers. I get to set my own schedule—right now, I work 1 PM to 7 PM, Tuesday through Friday, and that’s a dream schedule for me. The idea of a standard 9-to-5 feels insufferable after having this level of autonomy for so long. But recently, I’ve been questioning whether I can sustain this work. Almost every day, I consider what alternatives might exist—ones that wouldn’t be as physically demanding.

The unfortunate reality of being a hairstylist is that, while we are often people’s favorite service providers, most of us are underpaid. In Missouri, the average annual salary for a hairdresser is around $41,000. That figure doesn’t even begin to reflect the amount of effort, skill, and creativity this work requires.

This challenge became particularly personal for me when I watched my partner transition out of the service industry and into a corporate office job. Over the past couple of years, he has doubled his salary while I’ve essentially stayed the same. I don’t mean to downplay the value of his work—it’s legitimate—but it’s hard not to compare. He works from home or in an office, at a desk, in a climate-controlled space. Meanwhile, I’m on my feet all day, enduring physical strain, and still making less. The disparity feels unjust, and it’s a stark reminder of how undervalued service workers are in our society.

I’ve tried to imagine what life might look like in a different career. Last year, I actively applied to jobs outside of the hair industry. Despite running my own business, educating other stylists, and performing roles that align closely with many corporate job descriptions, I came up short. Without a college degree, it feels nearly impossible to get a foot in the door. It’s disheartening because I know I have the skills, but conveying that on a résumé in a way that corporations respect has been an uphill battle.

After some reflection, I’ve come to terms with the fact that being in front of people and offering value is deeply important to me. I thrive on connection, creativity, and innovation—things I fear would get lost in a corporate setting. At the same time, I’m not blind to the challenges of this career. There’s little financial security, no built-in raises or bonuses, and benefits like paid leave or sick days are rare. If I take a day off, I lose income and risk alienating clients. That kind of pressure is exhausting.

To find a balance, I’ve started focusing on building a social media presence. I want to leverage my skills and passion for connecting with people in a way that allows for more sustainability and freedom. But building a following takes time and energy—resources I often feel drained of after giving everything I have to my clients.

So, do I sometimes think about what it would be like to have a “regular” job? Absolutely. There are days when being a cog in the machine, with less emotional and physical investment, sounds tempting. Maybe then I’d have the creative energy to make art just for fun again.

For now, I’m in a kind of limbo—grateful for the freedom my career affords me, but deeply aware of its limitations. I love this work, but I know it’s not sustainable forever. And that’s the reality for many hairstylists: we pour our hearts into our work, but the love we give isn’t always returned in equal measure. The service industry rarely serves it’s workers as well as we serve it. Still, I hold on to the belief that we are more than what society often reduces us to. Our work is valuable, and we deserve to be seen, heard, and appreciated for all we give.

Austin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Austin Knight, a hair color specialist based in St. Louis, Missouri, with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. My journey started backstage in high school theater, where I first discovered a passion for transformation and creativity. Though I was too shy to be on stage myself, working behind the scenes with hair and makeup gave me a unique perspective on how small changes can make a big impact. That passion led me to cosmetology school and eventually to building a career I’m incredibly proud of today.

What sets me apart in my field is my focus on customization and collaboration. Every client I work with gets a look tailored specifically to their lifestyle, aesthetic, and hair goals. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter trends or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, I combine my extensive knowledge of hair chemistry, product functionality, and color theory to create looks that not only meet but often exceed expectations. My years spent traveling the country as an educator for other professionals have given me a deep understanding of the “why” behind the techniques and products we use. That knowledge helps me solve problems before they arise and ensures my clients leave with hair that looks and feels amazing.

My work isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about impact. I take pride in creating an environment where clients feel safe, seen, and supported. For many, a hair appointment is about more than a new look; it’s an opportunity to explore and affirm their identity, express themselves authentically, or simply feel cared for during a tough time. I’ve had the privilege of helping clients navigate major milestones in their lives, whether it’s exploring their gender identity or preparing for a significant life event. Those moments remind me why I love what I do.

What I want people to know about me is that I approach my work with equal parts passion and practicality. I’m a firm believer in realistic hair care—offering solutions that fit a client’s lifestyle without requiring them to buy every product on the shelf. Whether it’s a bold color transformation or a subtle refresh, I strive to give my clients hair that’s not only beautiful but also sustainable and easy to maintain.

What I’m most proud of is the resilience and heart I bring to this work. Growing up in a small, economically disadvantaged town, I didn’t have the connections or resources to start on an easy path. Everything I’ve achieved has come through grit, determination, and an unwillingness to settle for less than what I dreamed of. Those experiences shaped me into someone who’s not just creative but also deeply committed to making a difference, whether it’s in my clients’ lives or the larger beauty industry.

As I look toward the future, I’m channeling that commitment into building a social media presence that reflects my values and expertise. I want to connect with a broader audience, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained while continuing to innovate and push boundaries in my field.

Ultimately, I’m here to make people feel good—not just about how they look, but about who they are. That’s the core of my brand and my work: creating authentic, impactful experiences that leave a lasting impression.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can support artists and creatives by recognizing the inherent value they bring to our culture, economy, and personal lives—and by taking meaningful steps to ensure that value is not just celebrated but compensated fairly. It starts with dismantling the pervasive mindset that creative work is a luxury or secondary to more traditional professions. Creatives aren’t just providing “extras”; we’re shaping identities, telling stories, and fostering connections that are fundamental to our shared humanity.

One of the most impactful ways to support a thriving creative ecosystem is to ensure fair pay and access to resources. Many artists and service-based creatives like myself operate in industries where the income disparities are glaring. For instance, hairstylists, who spend years honing their craft and often work physically demanding jobs, make significantly less than many corporate workers, despite providing services that are integral to people’s lives and confidence. We need systemic changes—such as stronger labor protections, universal healthcare, and affordable continuing education opportunities—to allow creatives to thrive without sacrificing their physical or mental well-being.

It’s ironic, though—on one hand, we applaud and pour huge amounts of money into the arts as entertainment and media, but on the other, we often fail to uplift and support the artists who are our neighbors, friends, and family. This disconnect creates an unsustainable dynamic where the glamour of the arts is celebrated while the people behind it struggle to make ends meet.

Education is another key area where we can make a difference. Society often undervalues trade schools, artistic programs, and nontraditional career paths, funneling resources into college-prep curriculums while neglecting the trades and arts that are vital to our communities. By investing in creative education—both in schools and beyond—we can empower more people to see the arts as viable, respected professions.

Representation and visibility also matter. The media often fails to depict service-based creatives, like hairstylists, in a light that reflects our intelligence, innovation, and resilience. Showing the depth and diversity of creative careers in positive, accurate ways can help shift public perception and inspire more support for these industries.

On an individual level, people can make an impact by supporting local artists and small businesses, paying fairly for creative services, and advocating for equitable treatment in these fields. Choosing to invest in creatives isn’t just about purchasing art, a haircut, or a service—it’s about valuing the time, expertise, and passion that go into making those things.

Ultimately, a thriving creative ecosystem is one where artists are empowered to focus on their work without being bogged down by financial instability or societal dismissal. When creatives have the freedom and resources to innovate and inspire, everyone benefits—not just the individuals providing the art, but the communities that are enriched by it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A major lesson I had to unlearn in my mid-20s was the belief that I had to follow the financial habits I grew up with—habits shaped by scarcity, stress, and a lack of financial literacy. Growing up poor, I learned about money from my parents, as most people do. But the problem was, they didn’t have much money to manage in the first place and never had the opportunity to learn the skills they needed to break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

My mother was pregnant with me when she graduated high school, and after leaving my abusive father, she worked tirelessly to provide for me. When my stepfather entered the picture, things stabilized somewhat with two incomes in the household, but there were always three or more kids to care for. Resources were still tight, and the anxiety that came from that scarcity often showed itself in ways I’m still unpacking in therapy today. Food insecurity, for instance, is a lingering struggle I’m learning to navigate.

By my mid-20s, I was exhausted from constantly scraping by with little more than $100 (if that much) to get me through each paycheck cycle. I decided I had to take control and teach myself what I hadn’t been taught growing up. That’s when I discovered the “BiggerPockets Money” podcast. Listening to hosts who had far more financial knowledge than I—or my parents—did was a game-changer. They introduced me to concepts and tools that helped me overhaul my approach to money.

One of the most impactful discoveries was a program called “Qube”, a digital version of the envelope budgeting system popularized by Dave Ramsey. Through this system, I learned to allocate specific amounts of money into “cubes” for bills and expenses. Over time, I built up enough savings to consistently have one to two months’ worth of expenses set aside—something I never thought possible. For someone who grew up believing financial stability was out of reach, this was life-changing.

Relearning financial literacy was no small feat. It required unlearning years of ingrained habits and beliefs about money. It also meant acknowledging that, while my parents did the best they could with what they had, their financial knowledge wasn’t enough to create lasting change. Following their patterns would have kept me in the same cycle of scarcity.

Today, I’m in a better place financially, though the struggle isn’t entirely behind me. Money is still tight, but I’m no longer living paycheck to paycheck as I once did. The process taught me not only how to manage money but also the unfortunate reality that life isn’t fair. It can be frustrating to know I’ve worked so hard to climb out of poverty while others, who started with more resources, continue to excel simply because they had money to begin with.

Still, I’m grateful I was able to course-correct when I did. I’ve proven to myself that it’s possible to rewrite the story I was born into, and while the climb isn’t easy, I’m determined to keep going. For me, unlearning those old patterns wasn’t just about changing my finances—it was about reclaiming control over my future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehairshaman.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hair_shaman/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinknight314/

Image Credits

Morgan Myatt