We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hayley Gregory a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hayley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I got my original cosmetology license in Marion, North Carolina at McDowell Technical Community College. I was working full time as a corporate fundraiser for a children’s health and science museum, and knew I needed a change, something totally different than the museum or the job I had before that, working in radio.

I had an interest in bonsai art which led me to considering hair dressing as a career. I figured since they’re both cutting and shaping on living, organic canvases, maybe that would be a good thought to explore.

I found the cosmetology night program at MTCC, took a tour and enrolled. Since I already held a bachelor’s degree, I was able to enroll full time in cosmetology courses without having to take the required courses at a Community College. I adjusted my work schedule at the museum and worked early and went to school late. Night classes were Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10pm.

After a semester of working at the museum and going to cosmetology school, I knew cosmetology was right for me. I left the museum and transferred to day courses to speed up my graduation. Day classes were Monday through Friday 8 to 3.30 so accruing the necessary hours for licensure was much faster for day students. Next, I got an apprenticeship as my night job and fully submersed myself in the salon world.

I’m so thankful I switched to day class and accelerated my licensure and cut ties with a career I wasn’t invested in and just went for my new gig whole heartedly. Apprenticing while still in school was a tremendous help to me.

Not only did apprenticing help to advance my behind the chair technical skills, it gave me an understanding of the flow, cultures, rhythm and expectations of a salon environment in a way cosmetology school simply cannot. My apprenticeship was methodical and structured. I finished school and graduated my salon apprenticeship feeling confident and ready to go. I knew I still had lots to learn, that will never stop!, but I felt confident I could make a go at this career and be a good employee, coworker and stylist.

I worked in Asheville, North Carolina for a few years where I began to specialize in curly hair and achieve certifications in curl cutting and coloring techniques. I was growing a nice clientele of curly friends when I moved to Georgia for my husband’s schooling at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

I got my Georgia license and learned the art of bridal hair. You can’t work in a historic downtown Savannah salon and not do bridal work! Dresswork was so frightening to learn, it’s the brides most important day! I worked with a team of stylists eager to help show me the tips and tricks I needed to get through my first Savannah wedding updo season and fast tracked my way to confidence through exposure. I worked in Savannah for several years and each year was a wedding whirlwind and I adored it.

After my husband finished SCAD, we headed back to Asheville, NC where I went back to my old salon home and reenrolled at MTCC for my cosmetology instructor license. Following that, we relocated to Charlotte where I had been hired to teach full time for the Aveda institute.

While I enjoyed teaching at Aveda, I missed being in the salon and my husband missed Savannah. We saw this as an opportunity to make a change, so we moved back to Savannah, I went back to my old salon and taught night school part time at Empire. At Empire, I learned how to work with highly textured hair and was able to accelerate my curl education drastically.

After a few years, we decided to move back to my home town in Tennessee to be closer to my family. Now, I own my own salon. I have continued to gain certifications for in curly hair and bridal work and specialize in those services. I also teach online curl care and cutting classes and travel the country teaching in person curl cut and color certifications for the Rëzo Academy. It brings me such joy to help curly friends understand and love their hair and to make brides and their parties feel pampered and even more gorgeous than usual.

In my 20 year career, taking the chance and investing in myself and my education while believing I could do this as a career was key. Continuing to grow, learn and reach for new skill sets and being willing to jump in and learn helped me take advantage of every place I worked. Betting on myself has been the most essential thing I’ve done. Change is hard. Change is scary. But my big changes have all paid off.

Hayley, 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 got into cosmetology because I needed a career change. I was a hobbyist bonsai gardener and thought those skills might translate well to haircutting. I found a night school near me, adjusted my day work schedule to accommodate classes and enrolled. After a semester, I left my job, transferred to day classes and got an afternoon/evening job apprenticing in a salon.

20 years later, and I’m still in love with my career! I’ve worked behind the chair, as an instructor in cosmetology schools and as an educator for professional salon companies.

I specialize in curly hair cutting and coloring. I am a Rëzo Academy Master Educator and teach curl certifications online and in person. I love working with curls and helping curly clients understand, love and embrace their hair.

I also specialize in bridal dresswork. Living and working in Savannah and Asheville has given me lots of exposure to wedding work, and it is something I simply adore. I offer onsite as well as in salon bridal services. I’ve been to some really amazing venues, it’s such a treat to be part of such special days!

Personally, I’m proudest of my commitment to ongoing education, professionalism and safety and cleanliness. I’ve always been accused of being over the top in my cleanliness, but I want a shop that sparkles and clients who do the same!

Professionally, I’m proudest that I have the skill sets need to help empower people to feel and look their very best. I take pride in doing a full consultation with each client and educating them on how to care for and style their hair. I want people to know when they come to see me at Deluxe, it’s an exclusive, one on one appointment just for them and they’re going to get a full service experience. From start to finish, it’s all about them and making them feel amazing and confident they can do it again at home.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer on Halloween of 2018.

My port was placed 11/26/18 and I did a seven person wedding party 12/1 without any of them knowing. I did not want to dampen their wedding vibe and it was nice to have a distraction from my diagnosis. I started chemo the following week.

During chemo, I cut back to clients who had an extremely flexible work schedule and could come on my “up” days. Friends at neighboring salons took on my clients who couldn’t be as flexible.

My clientele was cut by more than half, but I worked throughout my year of treatment as often as I could. I finished treatment, regained my strength, regrew my hair and my client list.

Now that I’m healthy and cancer free, my clientele has returned and grown. I’m so glad that even though I had to slow down, I didn’t quit all together. Having the distraction of work I love was a blessing during my hardest time. Beating cancer and working through it taught me I can do anything if I’m patient, kind and gentle to myself when I need to be and if I push myself when I need to, too!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Every day is different and unique because every client and bride is different and unique. I enjoy not knowing exactly what each day and client will bring and going with the creative flow of the day. I love that my job allows me to listen to amazing music, talk to, touch and connect with people daily and express myself creatively. I love giving people hair that is fun and easy to wear and style. Seeing client’s faces light up when they see how truly amazing they look makes my heart happy. When clients leave smiling, feeling confident and cute, I feel like I’ve accomplished my mission and it’s the best feeling in the world.

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