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

Koree L. , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a young age, I knew that creativity would be at the heart of my professional journey. It all began at my 6th grade graduation, and I had to envision and write down what I imagined my future would be 15 years down the line. For an ambitious 11-year-old, that was quite a far-reaching journey but exciting as well.

Standing on stage in front of the entire school and our parents, I was the only one who had memorized my vision, and it exceeded a simple paragraph. My aspirations were clear: I wanted to be a visual artist, vocalist, fashion designer, hairstylist and interior decorator.

During high school, I attended the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio, where my creative passions were developed. By the 11th grade, I was convinced that entrepreneurship would be a significant part of my future.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Stylist, Practitioner, Coach, and aspiring Author, and I come from a long line of entrepreneurs as a 4th generation business owner. In my salon practice, I am your first responder to hair loss, and my expertise serves as your first line of defense.

My journey into the beauty industry began in the 11th grade when I confidently told my father my intention to become a business owner. Throughout my teenage years, I started cultivating my skills of braiding hair during summer breaks, and occasionally experimenting with relaxers and haircuts.

After high school, I attended college, majoring in business, but my most enjoyable classes were art, African American literature, and, of course, the time I spent doing hair on campus. My passion led me to cosmetology school, and the beauty industry became an outlet for me to express my creativity in various ways.

Over the years, I have provided a variety of services, and “talk tHAIRapy” has always been the most popular part of each salon service. In recent years, talk tHAIRapy has evolved to accompany hair styling services that are therapeutic with a focus on holistic health. My holistic hair styling services include restoring confidence, balancing hormones, and reversing or minimizing hormonal hair loss through a comprehensive approach to physical, emotional, and mental well-being. There’s something about the ‘Stylist’s Chair’ that has the tendency to get to the heart of the matter.

From the Stylist’s Chair and beyond, I coach, support, and serve professional women in menopause, helping them manage symptoms, improve hair and scalp health, and enhance their hormonal health and overall well-being while balancing midlife hormonal changes. My holistic approach to Hair Care, prioritizing its connection to Health Care, provides me with a distinct competitive advantage in the market.

I am currently a Board-Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and hold several certifications as a Trichologist (the study of hair and scalp diseases and disorders), a Skin Analyst, a PsychoHAIRapist (a mental health advocate), and a Holistic Peri/Menopause Health Coach.

My business, THATCHER LYNN Salon & Wellness, is the first menopause-friendly hair salon in the Cincinnati area. I specialize in women’s health, helping menopausal women bridge the gap between their hair, health, and hormones. Hormonal changes often lead to hormonal hair loss, especially during menopause, and many women are unaware that they can receive help to combat their hair loss or that menopausal support exists.

I am most proud of how my educational knowledge and experience have positively impacted my clients’ lives and health. I am grateful for the opportunity to help them become the best version of themselves throughout their menopausal journey. I bring a wealth of experience and passion to everything I do, and my approach integrates creativity and wellness for a balanced and holistic lifestyle. My personal experience with early menopause is the foundation of my work and drives me to advocate for women’s health.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my time in beauty school and the principles we were taught about mastering the design of hair. While we learned aspects of chemistry, biology and anatomy, the primary focus was on the beautification of hair. Cosmetology school is literally about cosmetics, providing just enough education to identify unhealthy hair care practices and scalp diseases and disorders, but with very minimal information on the forms of treatment.

What I’ve realized is that this method of teaching has created a false sense of what is to be expected from the hairstylist in terms of service. When clients experience hair loss, thinning, or any type of scalp disorder, stylists often result to surface-level questions that includes hair care regimens, product usage and hydration. While these elements are important, as Licensed Cosmetologists primarily focus on ‘cosmetic treatments’ for hair, clients mistakenly assume that their hair loss issues are either the stylist’s fault or within their scope of practice to diagnose and treat.

This is not the case, and it takes a lot more knowledge and understanding to address these concerns effectively. In most cases, hair loss or thinning stems from systemic issues, often involving vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and malabsorption difficulties. This represents only a fraction of the factors that contribute to the underlying cause.

Unlearning this surface-level approach to hair care has been a crucial lesson for me. It has taught me the importance of a holistic approach that considers the underlying health challenges affecting hair and scalp health. By expanding my knowledge and understanding of these systemic barriers, I can provide more comprehensive and effective care for my clients.

This journey has reinforced my commitment to continuous learning and professional development, ensuring that I can offer the best possible solutions for my clients’ hair and scalp health needs.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

In the early phases of my professional development, I was introduced to Trichology, but pursuing formal education was extremely challenging. Online classes were not yet popular, and the nearest in-person class was located more than 12 hours away. Despite being an untapped market, Trichology has consistently intrigued me as a field of study over the years.

Looking back, I wish I had access to more accessible resources and training in Trichology earlier in my journey. The knowledge and expertise I have gained in this field have been invaluable in helping my clients with hair loss and scalp health. Having access to these resources earlier would have allowed me to provide even better care and support to my clients from the start.

Today, there are many online courses, webinars, and professional networks that offer valuable information and training in Trichology and other specialized areas of hair care and holistic health. These resources can help aspiring stylists and practitioners expand their knowledge and skills, ultimately benefiting their clients and their careers.

If you’re interested in exploring Trichology or other specialized fields, I highly recommend seeking out these resources and taking advantage of the wealth of information available online. It can make a significant difference in your professional journey and the quality of care you provide to your clients.

From the very beginning of my journey, I realized that my life’s purpose included fostering confidence in women. Even the path was unclear, I’m grateful that my passion and purpose has been a continuous creative journey, one that I believe will impact women for generations to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thatcherlynnsalon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatcherlynnsalon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatcherlynnsalon
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fromthestylistschair

Image Credits

Koree L. Thatcher
Salon Concepts
Nate Howell/Songbook phOtos