Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paige Whipkey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Paige, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken as a business professional was probably when I left my first salon straight out of hair school to come to Salon Noir. I spent three years in a corporate-based salon and left for a privately owned business. I was worried about my clients following me to an entirely new space with all new people. Fortunately, my clients were extremely receptive to me spreading my wings. I knew it was time to go and start a new adventure. An adventure that I was somehow aware would make me the happiest I have ever been at work.
Paige, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey into my career started when I was in high school. Most girls who aspire to be in the beauty industry somehow always end up being the go-to girl for special events where we are asked to style our friend’s hair with loose waves or a braid. I used to go to this week-long summer camp every year as a high schooler and my friends would always ask for my help. I loved helping them make their hair beautiful. After High school, I was asked by friends to help with weddings and prom hair and It made me fall even further in love with all things beauty. I took some time after high school though to go to college and see if that was something else I wanted to do and experience. It most definitely is not. I didn’t do well in school and often looked for other ways to distract myself from my work with videos on YouTube about anything beauty-related. I struggled so much that I ended up going on academic probation for failing two of my four classes that semester.
I always struggled with school as a kid and never really excelled academically. I never did my homework and always put in half the effort required. I was never meant to sit still. Meanwhile, when I was in hair school, I studied every night and ended up graduating two months early in my program graduating at the top of my class. I always wanted to be moving, standing, or doing something that brought me immense joy. School is hard and it’s not for every kid. I am so grateful to have a strong support system behind me who supports my dreams no matter what they are.
Once I came to Salon Noir not only was able to dip my toe not only into the traditional salon aspect of what people imagine a cosmetologist to be in but also got to help on many on-location jobs where I was a part of photo shoots and weddings. Providing these brides with something that helps pull their look together for their big day. Seeing the happiness on their faces as I pull together the look they’ve always envisioned, or when I give the teenager in my chair at the salon the most rocker Stevie Nicks shag of their life. It’s why I do what I do.
How did you build your audience on social media?
So I actually started my professional page long before I went into hair school. A big well-known plus-size brand was starting a model call for plus-size models and I made my own account to try and brand myself as a “Beauty influencer” ” which has Now morphed into what Paige Whipkey Beauty is today!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being in a creative field is the connections I have made along the way is the relationship I have developed along the way. I have been a part of so many major events from weddings to holidays. I love it when I see them come in and can’t wait to tell me some big news in their life. I can’t lie and say I don’t do the same thing. Building those relationships is so fun and I feel like I have friends in every client in my chair.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fresha.com/a/paige-whipkey-beauty-lebanon-3-south-broadway-street-vfkqksmf/booking?menu=true
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/paigewhipkeybeauty?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: @paigewhipkeybeauty