Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gwan Chow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gwan, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I really try to differentiate myself from other hairdressers by taking the time to get to know my clients and what their hair needs are. I look at body language and how they use their hands to push their hair around. For example, if someone wants a fringe but I see that they always brush their hair away from their face then having a fringe will probably annoy them.

I also like to give a one of a kind experience. Anyone can give a great haircut but it’s about creating a connection, feeling, or emotion when someone sits in your chair. I have watched my clients get married, have babies, go through adolescence, the list goes on and on. They become family and we care about each other. It’s more than just a haircut, it’s about growing together and I value that tremendously.

Gwan, 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 have been doing hair for about 13 years now. I was a Drawing and Painting major at the University of North Texas but quickly changed it to Business Entrepreneurship after I decided that I wanted to pursue hair as a profession. I graduated in May of 2010 and went straight to the Toni&Guy Academy in June of 2010. While I was apprenticing at Toni&Guy, I always knew I wanted to teach. Teaching is my biggest passion and it brings me great joy to assist someone in their hair journey. I ultimately became one of their lead educators and taught many of their advance classes here in Dallas and across the nation.

About five years ago, I decided that I needed a change and joined the Hairstory Studio Dallas family. We are such an eclectic, diverse, inclusive, talented group of people and I am so proud to be a part of this collective. It’s a safe space for all walks of life and you can feel it the moment you walk through the doors. I specialize in only cuts, ranging from short to long hair and fades. I continue to teach hands on classes, look and learns, one-on-ones, and can develop a curriculum based on what the hairdresser’s needs are.

My proudest moments in my career have evolved over time but what I am currently most proud of is having a great work/life balance. I am able to sustain a profitable career while still elevating my personal life with activities that I enjoy doing. I’m in this flow state of mind where if work gets too hectic, I have the privilege to step back and reset without compromising anything. I make a living doing what I love and this is the ultimate dream for me.

When a client sits in my chair, they can expect gratitude, professionalism, mindfulness, and peace. Oh, and a damn good haircut!

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

My resilience is a by product of my immigrant parents. My mom is from Vietnam and my dad is from China. They both came to America on a small boat for a chance at a better future for their families. They barely knew any English but managed to start small, successful Chinese restaurants across the southern region. They taught me that nothing gets handed to you and that you must work hard for what you want. This has been my mentality from the very beginning and it has taught me grit and persistence.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I would have to say that the biggest contribution to building my reputation was doing everything with good intentions, passion, and consistency. The more I put myself out there, the more people noticed that I was reliable and diligent. When I first started in the industry, I accepted every opportunity that exposed me to hair. It may not have payed well or at all but the experience I gained was priceless. I surrounded myself with people that I looked up to and they became mentors to me. If they needed an assistant, I was there to help out in any way. This also translated into the salon as well. I made sure to give that same amount of attention to each of my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gwanchow.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gchizzle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HairByGwanChow/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwanchow

Image Credits
Daniel Gerona Dean Xu