I knew from a young age that I had strong, artistic abilities through art class, home projects and always practicing hair & makeup trends. When I was a sophomore in high school, my mom took me to tour a cosmetology school. I never ended up pursuing the hair industry after high school because it was more common for young adults in my town to go to college or university.

In 2013 I started my college career at Miami University of Ohio. Throughout my journey it was hard for me to find my purpose. I ended up transferring schools and then attended Thomas More University. With changing schools and majors four different times, I wasn’t sure what was in the cards for me.

In 2017 I graduated with a degree in Communications. I learned a lot about business, marketing, branding and networking. I am grateful for those four years, but I always felt something was missing.

In 2022 after years of being in the sales industry and climbing the corporate ladder, I felt pretty empty. It was hard to accept that feeling because I did everything “right.” I went to a prestigious university, attended my 9-5, met all the right people, but for some reason it wasn’t enough.

What was missing was purpose. I wanted a career that I was able to use my creative abilities and make a difference in people’s lives. It was a scary jump leaving a stable career, with benefits, health insurance and stock options, but I knew I had to try and fulfill the void of purpose I was feeling.

Fast forward to 2024 and I can proudly say I graduated cosmetology school and now work in one of the industry’s leading hair salons called Craft Collective as a hairstylist in Denver, Colorado.

My name is Liz Griswold (@LooksByLizMary on Instagram) and I am 29 years old from Cincinnati, Ohio. I graduated with a Communications degree in 2017, and switched industries from sales to hair in 2022. Now I am living my passion of transforming people’s hair and making them feel beautiful and confident.

I entered into the hair industry from realizing my “normal” 9-5 sales job wasn’t bringing me the happiness I wanted from a career. I knew I had to make a change or else it was going to be a long road to retirement! I realized I was artistic and social and knew I could harness that into a hairstylist career.

I have always worked hard and taken pride in projects I completed. I knew to enter into the hair industry, the hard work was just beginning. I knew at 29 years old I would have to hustle and grind to make up for lost time building my career.
So it began, I worked 6-7 days a week, assisted multiple stylists, attended continuing education classes, grew my social media platforms and took on as many clients as I could. There was a lot of ups and downs, happy and sad days, but that hustle and grind has brought me to an amazing spot. I am so grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love and be surrounded by other industry leading hairstylists.

Since starting my hair career I knew I my niche would be soft, natural and “lived-in” hair colors. I believe they can be some of the most beautiful, timeless looks. At the end of the day making women feeling confident from the inside, out is one of the most rewarding feelings I take away from my services.

I believe as a hairstylist I can help guide women and men into what hairstyles and looks best suit them. When it comes to hair color, tone, style, cut etc not everyone has an eye for what looks best, and that’s totally okay! I know with my vision I can help steer them into a look that will make them feel beautiful and confident long after they leave the salon.

I am most proud of my courage and determination. Jumping career fields at almost 30 years old was a daunting task, but it is by far the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Immersing myself into an industry I knew nothing about, to then working at one of the leading hair salons in the United States truly shows me anything is possible. I know if you believe in yourself, keep your head down and put in the work… you will not fail.

what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.

The main thing I want clients and followers to know is I am here for you. I am here to serve and cater to you. I am so passionate about wanting to make people feel beautiful, I will do what it takes to learn more, grow and evolve as a hairstylist to provide the best experience. I am forever grateful for the people who sit in my chair, leave positive reviews, give referrals and trust me, because I truly wouldn’t be here and be given this purpose without you.

As simple as it sounds – just start. The biggest mistake I’ve seen people make is waiting for the perfect time to start a social media account, or have the perfect picture to post, or the perfect caption. Realizing by just posting and putting yourself out there as your most authentic self will get you more attraction compared to anything “perfect” you could post.

This creative journey is fueled just as much from my clients as it is myself, and I think that’s a perfect combo.

Knowing that I can make people feel beautiful and confident when I do their hair is enough to get me out of bed in the morning. To add on top of that, knowing I now have a career where I LOVE what I do instead of dread, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Not to say the change was easy or comfortable – there are long days, moments of uncertainty, starting from the bottom again, but nothing that will ever make me regret pursing my dreams of being a hairstylist because of the overwhelming joy it brings to my life.