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

Marilyn, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is the creation of my salon space this past Summer, Rare Earth Hair Studio. I was called to create this space after my own experiences as both a client and a professional hairstylist.

Growing up in rural Northern California, there were not many places that held space for people who looked like me or could understand my viewpoint. From school, to community events, to visiting local beauty salons, there was a lot of anxiety – especially around my hair. There were many bad haircuts, tears, and disappointments leaving salons that did not understand how to work with my curls. So when I entered the beauty industry in 2019, specializing in curly hair in 2022, I wanted to learn all I could to make sure that guests who sat down in my chair could feel safe, relaxed, and leave the salon with joyful, beautiful hair.

To me, working with hair is not to be taken lightly. It is an intimate thing to touch someone’s head – a direct connection to their spirit and the rare elements they are made of. This was the inspiration behind the creation of Rare Earth Hair Studio – to uplift and empower all to be their most authentic and radiant selves in an environment that promotes peace, warmth, compassion and overall well-being for ourselves and our Earth.

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 creative based in the Sacramento, CA area. I make my living by selling my artworks and styling hair.

I come from a family of artists of all different backgrounds, so growing up I was always inspired and encouraged to follow my creative endeavors. After graduating high school, I attended an art university for two years in Santa Fe, NM where I studied visual arts, theater, music, and business arts management – but unfortunately the school shut down suddenly before I could finish my program. After moving back to California, unsure what to do next, I had remembered seeing a cosmetology school not too far from the community college I was attending at the time. It seemed like an opportunity to gain an in-demand skill quickly while allowing me to explore another realm of creativity.

After obtaining my cosmetology license, I continued my education and training for three years at several prominent salons in the area before taking the leap to create my own salon space. During this time I also received an associates degree in Social Sciences. With the creation of Rare Earth Hair Studio, I combine my passions of art and culture in an environment that promotes well-being for all. At Rare Earth my goal is to help my salon guests love and embrace their natural hair using products that are safe for us and our Earth.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Encourage the children in your life – the future artists – to play, imagine, and explore the world as much as possible!
If you were a creative child who did not have that supportive environment growing up, know as an adult it is never to late to create that environment for yourself and others. The world will always be a better place with a variety of viewpoints. In fact, we need your unique viewpoint and ideas if we are ever going to find solutions for the problems of the world today.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part for me is the community I have found. I have met so many interesting people from all over the world and I’m inspired by the perspectives they share.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rareearthhairstudio.com/ and https://www.marilynmarquis.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilynmarquis.hair/ and https://www.instagram.com/lil.cocoa.bean/

Image Credits

Marilyn Marquis