We were lucky to catch up with Cait Bieker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cait, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I’ve ever made in regards to being an independent stylist was deciding to make continuing education a priority.

I’ve always believed in the importance of staying updated and educated, but I truly committed to it during the pandemic when styling clients wasn’t an option.

During that time, I had more time to really reflect on the clientele I was serving. I looked into industry publications and fellow stylists social media pages. Intentionally or otherwise, I started noticing the trends of clients whose needs felt underserved – especially in the region I was serving. Most often it was clients with textured hair or women over 50 wanting to stay fresh, but finding most stylists couldn’t find a happy medium between “trendy” and “tried.”

I never want someone to feel that they’ve been left out of something as integral as personal care. I decided to make it my mission to find free or affordable classes that focused specifically on the needs of the clients that weren’t getting the attention they deserved. Not only did this allow me to expand my toolkit and accept a new breadth of clientele, it helped to maintain my ability to adapt – a skill I often lean on.

To this day, I regularly make time to consume as much educational content as I am able. Through practicing new techniques, it’s allowed me to identify my areas of strength and improve those that need it. It’s also helped me find firm boundaries on what kind of services I know I can provide well and those that I will recommend another, more qualified, stylist for.

Cait, 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?

Oh gosh, this could be a lengthy response so I’ll attempt to stick to the abbreviated version.

I found my way to hairstyling as a means to make other dreams come true. During my sophomore year at the University of Kansas, I found myself struggling to pay for college and decided if I was going to make my 4 year degree a reality, I’d need to find a way to make more money to finance it. A trade seemed the most logical option and, though I have always had an interest in hair, it wasn’t necessarily my top option. After much research into the various trade programs that were available, I landed on cosmetology school because, truthfully, it sounded more fun than the others.

I decided to pause my 4 year pursuit and switched my focus to attending and completing cosmetology school.

In the 12 years since that decision, I have fulfilled my original dream and obtained my Bachelor’s in Strategic Communications. I have worked full-time in both marketing + communications and as a hairstylist and found myself very accomplished in both realms.

While I wouldn’t say my education sets me apart from others, I do believe my thorough approach to *educating* does.

Presently, I offer special occasion styling as my primary service, but also on-location services for photo shoots, fashion shows, and special events that range from basic styling to a full color + cut transformation. Whether I work with a client for 5 minutes for 5 years, my goal is always to be clear about their expectations, the steps we’re taking to meet them, and why we are using the tools/approach we are to achieve them. “We” being the client and I both. I promise it isn’t a lecture though – this all happens organically and, most often, accompanied by a lot of laughter and good conversation!

I have worked with those that spring from the deepest talent pools and have had many opportunities to be creative in ways I could have only wished for. Despite that, I am most proud of the kaleidoscope of clients and people I’ve been so fortunate to work with over the years.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing the look on someone’s face when you turn them around to see your completed work in the mirror and realizing you’ve just created a moment that matters to an individual’s life.

“I never thought I could be beautiful. I can’t believe how good I look!”

“No one has ever really listened to what I wanted done with my hair like this before. I look like the person I’ve always wanted to.”

“I thought my hair would never look good again after chemo. This cut is amazing.”

Deeper than the aesthetic the client is enjoying in that instant, I know it reaffirms something positive inside of themselves to feel those emotions. It truly is the reason I extend beyond the “fun” of the industry and love what I do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Following a passion is often more work than following a convention.

There are many reasons this could be true, but I will say that primarily, what I have personally encountered, is that people believe someone may pursue their creative passion over “traditional” work because they couldn’t cut it in that corporate/standard world. Sometimes they believe it’s because a person is less intelligent (a stereotype many hairstylists face) or simply because they don’t have a compatible work ethic to meet the demand of the 9-5 lifestyle.

When these beliefs are held, it leads people to feel more comfortable openly sharing discouraging comments with those pursuing creative work.

“Do you actually make any money doing that?”

“Oh that must be nice, just playing with someone’s hair all day and not having to do anything too stressful!”

Despite the many, many hours of practice and education a creative pours into being an expert in their craft, it feels like a fight to be taken seriously.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlinraehair/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbieker/
• Youtube: youtube.com/caitlinwrexasmr

Image Credits
Jason Dailey; Rachel Gray Sebastian