We were lucky to catch up with Darby Hardy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Darby, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

Yes! I have a client that came to me after having gone to a different stylist. Her hair had a lot of banding from being dark and trying to go back blonde, as well as some pretty significant damage. I was able to talk with her doing a thorough consultation about her hair history, the health of her hair and her main goals of that appointment. Her goals were to not damage the hair any further (of course), get as light as we could that session, and have a more low maintenance grow out. I was able to achieve everything she wanted by taking my time highlighting her hair, using protective additive in the lightener, using a lowlight color to add depth in the hair and for a softer grow out. When I finished she was so happy with her hair she started crying. That’s only happened to me a handful of times in my years behind the chair and it truly is the best feeling knowing I made someone feel their best!

Darby, 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?

My name is Darby Hardy, I have been a hairstylist for 9 years. I always did well in school, I graduated high school with honors but I have know my whole life I couldn’t have a regular job where I sat a desk all day. And I am a creative at heart. I was (still am) the friend that was braiding and styling my friends hair. A few of those friends told me “You should be a cosmetologist! Do hair for a living!” And it kind of got the wheels turning in my head. I went to cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell right after high school. I trained and got my start at a well known salon for 5 years before they closed their doors in 2020 and have now worked for myself for the last 3 years. Owning your own business can be challenging but it is the best decision I made! If that salon hadn’t closed & I wasn’t forced to go into business for myself then I would never have had the dream I have now to open up my own salon one day. Over the years I have spent my career, perfecting my craft and building relationships with my clients by first gaining their trust when I do their hair. I enjoy meeting all of the people who come and sit in my chair who I never would have met otherwise! I always make sure to do thorough consultations no matter if it’s their first time in my chair or I have done their hair for years. I specialize in lived in blonding and balayage as well as long and mid length layered haircuts. I love what I do and making people feel their most beautiful.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Although social media is an amazing tool and I do gain new clients from there, to me best source of new clients is from my amazing client’s referring people to me. My clients are the best and will share my Instagram, Facebook and phone number with their friends, co workers and family!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that I get to express my artistic talent every day on my clients hair. It is so freeing to just be able to create all day long. I am so thankful that God gave me the gifts that He did and so grateful for all of my clients that sit in my chair and allow me to make a living creating pretty hair!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://darby-does-hair.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darbyhardy_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darbydoeshair