We were lucky to catch up with Dinah Gacon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dinah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I began my creative journey into hairstyling when I was a senior in high school. I began working at 19 and 2 years into my career I met my husband and I kind of put my focus on what I wanted my career to evolve into on the back burner. We moved around a lot for his career and I kept dreaming of someday owning my own salon and mentoring other creatives. I felt like my career really began taking off when I turned 39! I finally had the opportunity to open my own business and begin building a brand. I began independently teaching the craft of hair cutting and grew my business to have like minded stylists join me. I wish I would have began this sooner, but I’m glad I had the time to really hone in on what I wanted with the experience I’ve gained!

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

Hi there! My name is Dinah Gacon (she/her) and I’ve been a stylist for over 22 years! I have always been so inspired by rock and roll music and the decades of amazing hairstyles that have come with it. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a hair artist. I own a salon called Textured Petite Hair Studio in Central Massachusetts, and I also teach the art of straight razor hair cutting independently at my studio and at other salons. I believe that hair has no gender and I do not follow traditional beauty standards/expectations. I want any client who sits in my chair to feel seen, respected, valued and appreciated. I also believe stylists deserve to be respected and to be paid a livable wage. Our industry as a whole often gets treated like we are second class because we didn’t go to college. The years of technical training, the mental and physical strain, not having paid sick time or vacation, we as an industry need to charge a livable wage so we can afford to pay our bills and have a sustainable career.

I specialize in very soft and low maintenance haircuts that get better with time! I use a combination of my straight razor and scissors to create very fluid silhouettes so my clients natural texture can shine and there is minimal effort to style. My haircuts are designed to fit each client based on their life, their practicality, and hair type. Most clients say that my haircuts get better with time and I am so thrilled I can offer that to people! I find that haircutting is truly my meditation.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding element for me as an artist is how much confidence and longevity I can offer clients with my hair cutting approach! I want any client who sits in my chair to feel comfortable in how to maintain their desired shape at home. The goal for me is to give them the perfect haircut that will grow effortlessly and seamlessly. A sign that a haircut is bad is when it grows out badly. A solid haircut will always look good as it evolves and grows!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I took a social media marketing class in 2017 and it changed the game for me. I ultimately learned that clients are looking for someone who they can relate to and trust, not so much the salon itself! So the most important elements that I always tell any stylist asking for help, is you have to show your face behind camera. It can be in a story, a demonstration in your craft, show people who is the person behind the craft. And consistency, consistency, consistency! The goal isn’t to be perfect, the goal is to simply show up authentically as yourself and the people who are meant to be your clients will come. I built my brand solely on Instagram/Facebook and built my entire clientele based on what I specialize in because I continuously showed up, showed my personal side in addition to what I do behind the chair. You will not grow your brand if the only posts you are making are of your work. You have to offer potential clients what sets you apart from every other stylist out there’!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.texturedpetite.com
• Instagram: @Dinah_texturedpetite, @texturedpetitehairstudio