We were lucky to catch up with Chanel Cooper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chanel , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

2016 is when I took the first step at my career in the beauty industry. I attended Paul Mitchell the school Esani and graduated that following year. Being a creative, even when it came to hair, has come so natural to me since a very young age. It wasn’t until my mom mentioned cosmetology school that the seed was planted in my head that I could make a living doing hair. Prior to that, I had been considering school for fashion design.

Chanel , 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?

I’m an artist. Right now, a hair artist. In the future, a mass creator/ creative. I appreciate serving others. My role these past years have been to master my craft in hairstyling and hair care, educate in various ways and just immerse myself and eye for beauty and art in to this profession and give all I have to give. I’ve been in the professional beauty industry for about five years now. I love what I do for a living and I’m very much passionate about my work.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

To be honest, life as a hair stylist and entrepreneur illustrates resilience all on its own. My journey has consisted of learning and unlearning and realizing that if I’m not right on the inside whether that pertains to my relationship with others or my relationship with myself, it will bleed over in to my work. There is a certain level of intimacy that comes with the stylist/ client dynamic and energy is very much something that is felt. As a professional like myself who wants to exude care, confidence and a sense of professionalism that says, “ It is my role to innovate, educate and enhance my clients’ beauty from the inside out,” I require resilience, peace of mind and room for mistakes that create mastery and not doubt.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I feel like it would be in good interest for society to respect the art realm more. That looks like having a level of understanding that we are pouring ourselves in to our work each day and every piece, style and/ or canvas is unique and worthy of whatever that creative prices it for. It would be great if creatives and artists were motivated and educated on turning their art in to a business and being encouraged that they could very well make a living as an artist instead of being diagnosed with Struggling Artist Syndrome.. And lastly, of course we could all benefit from working together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Nelbeautybbb