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

Hi Honey , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

At the age of 38 I enrolled at the AVEDA Institute of Atlanta which was the biggest risk I had ever taken in my life. At that time I was teaching at the university level after spending five years earning my Ph.D. in Theatre Scholarship and Directing from Wayne State University. My whole life had been on a trajectory to complete my Ph.D. and teach at the college level. However, after six years, the instructor position that I had occupied and worked so hard for was not going to turn into a tenured position and I was going to be let go. My husband was teaching at the same university and had just earned tenure which meant we were rooted to the area. Therefore I had to find something else to do. I had always been interested in cosmetology and decided to take the risk and enroll in beauty school. Cosmetology did not come easy to me. I had to work very hard in school and spent many an evening in tears. I was older than all of the other students and most of the Educators as well which was very humbling and it was hard beginning a new career in my late 30s. After graduation I worked as an assistant in several salons before finally becoming a stylist. I had the good fortune to work with a gentleman named Jeffrey Scott who was an International Educator for AVEDA. He saw something in me and took me under his wing which gave me the confidence to continue my journey as a stylist. In the end persistence is what paid off for me. I am now not only a stylist but have become an Educator as well for L’anza Healing Haircare and am so glad I did not give up and took the risk of changing careers later in life.

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

Currently I am a stylist at J. Clay Salon in Douglasville. I specialize in hair color services such as balayage, ombré, highlighting and single process color. I also offer haircutting and waxing services, however, I am truly a Colorist at heart. My clients joke that I am secretly a chemist and I think it is my approach to haircolor as both chemistry and art that sets me apart.

I am also so proud of my work as a Regional Education Trainer for L’anza Healing Haircare. L’anza is amazing to say the least! L’anza uses wildcrafted organic botanical ingredients, is cruelty free, manufactured in the United States and is a family owned and independently operated company. Their mission is Believe. Inspire. Grow. and I feel so fortunate to be a part of that idea while traveling the entire U.S. teaching about L’anza haircolor, products and different hair coloring and haircutting techniques as well. I also teach programs that help stylists and salon owners build their businesses. I am passionate about being an Educator because I get to see light bulbs go off for other professionals and I love coaching and helping others while getting to work alongside the industry’s top professionals as well. It is a role that I feel I was meant for with my background in education, my love for cosmetology and my need to inspire others to feel confident and empowered.

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

The most rewarding part of being a creative is making a living using my imagination and creativity to make others feel confident and beautiful inside and out. It is the best part of being an Artist!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Good things never came from comfort zones. My goal for my creative journey is to consistently push beyond my comfort zone to realize my true potential as a creative and to better myself as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @honeydosalon
• Twitter: @DrDarvas
• Other: Tik Tok: HoneyDoSalon