We recently connected with Rebecca Raine and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, thanks for joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

After finishing beauty school, I landed a job at a salon my mom loved. Spoiler alert: it was a total letdown. The place thrived on gossip—stylists trash-talking guests, each other, and even themselves. It felt more like high school than a career and I definitely didn’t fit the cookie-cutter hairstylist mold. Fast forward a few months and I was over it. I traded my shears for espresso shots and dove headfirst into the world of coffee. There was something electric about the constant chatter, the daily grind, and the endless amounts of caffeine.
Despite finding my groove in the coffee world, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had unfinished business behind the chair. One day, a regular at the café inquired why I left hairstyling. I admitted I felt like an outsider in that world. My demeanor and appearance just weren’t what people wanted or expected. Her response was simple yet profound: ‘Wouldn’t you want YOU to do your hair?’ That hit hard. It made me realize that perhaps what the industry needed most was someone exactly like me.
Fast forward about a decade and I’ve built my career and my salon around this philosophy—creating a welcoming space for those who don’t fit the conventional mold. Our salon is a place where guests might not know any hair terminology and where stylists are free to conform to or rebel against traditional beauty standards.
Looking back, it’s ironic that the most crucial lesson about my career came from deciding to leave it. But that step back was exactly what led to the leap forward that defined my salon and my approach to this industry.

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.

Ahhh! Hello! I’m Rebecca Raine, owner and hair stylist at Lady Neptune Hair Salon in Seattle, WA. My journey into hairstyling began somewhat unexpectedly. I enrolled in a cosmetology program during high school, knowing that university wasn’t a feasible option for my family and me. Initially, hairstyling was merely a practical career choice but something shifted when I discovered my true calling within this craft. You see, I love people and I love the way a personalized haircut can make them feel. Hair can hold so much energy and memory, which makes an individualized haircut feel life-changing for my clients.
This passion led me to specialize in ‘intuitive haircutting.’ I tailor each haircut to fit the individual’s head shape, growth pattern, hair density, and lifestyle, listening closely to the natural cues of their hair. This approach is especially beneficial for clients who prefer a ‘wash and go’ style, minimizing daily fuss and maintenance. My technique in cutting shags, mullets, pixies, and other layered cuts is akin to sculpting—focused on subtraction and debulking to craft low-maintenance, gracefully aging hairstyles.
Reflecting on the past decade, there are countless moments that fill me with pride. A recent highlight was Lady Neptune being voted the best hair salon in Seattle by the Seattle Times in September 2024. This accolade awarded by our customers, affirms the vision I’ve always had for our salon. To create a space in the beauty industry where everyone is beautiful and belongs. Achieving this was a dream come true, made possible by the incredible support from our community and the exceptional talent of our stylists, who truly are the best hairstylists in Seattle.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve had to spend the last 2 years really developing my social media presence. When I was in cosmetology school, social media as a marketing tool didn’t even exist yet. As a business owner in a creative industry it can be so difficult to find those organic ways to market yourself that also feel authentic to the creative experience you offer. However, short form video platforms like Instagram reels and TikTok have been game-changers for my business. There is a way that my personality translates through short-form-video that feels authentic and connects me with my dream clients. There’s something incredibly powerful about capturing the moment a client sees their new haircut for the first time—it’s magical and it resonates well with my audience.
If I had any advice for someone just starting to build their social media presence, it would be to not overthink it. Obviously, that’s easier said than done sometimes. As a creative in the beauty industry, the main thing I sell is my sense of taste. However, when you’re picking up a new creative skill, like video editing, your taste out-matches your skill level. This moment is when so many artists give up. My suggestion? Push through that discomfort. Persevering through these initial challenges is crucial because it not only builds your creative skills but also enhances your ability to authentically connect with your audience. Authenticity is the key to building an artistic community that resonates with what you create.
However, the thing that no one tells you about being authentic on social media is that you have to come to grips with the fact that you and your art aren’t for everyone. Embracing authenticity means accepting that not everyone will love what you create—and that’s okay. Baskin Robbins offers many flavors of ice cream for a reason; not everyone chooses the strawberry flavor. Facing both positive and negative perceptions online can be tough and sometimes overwhelming. In such moments, I focus on the reason I began this journey and remember that the connections and positive impacts far outweigh the negative feedback. This mindset helps me navigate the complexities of social media with resilience and keeps me aligned with my core values and connected to a community that supports and appreciates my work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are so many rewarding aspects to working as an artist in a creative field. For me, the most gratifying part is seeing the immediate transformation in my clients—not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally. As a hairstylist, I have the unique opportunity to not only change how someone looks but also how they feel about themselves. It’s about crafting an outer expression that fits their inner self.
Another deeply fulfilling aspect is the opportunity to continuously evolve and grow creatively. In the world of hairstyling, trends and techniques are always changing, which pushes me to keep learning and experimenting. This constant evolution keeps my daily work exciting and ensures that I’m always engaged and passionate about what I do.
Lastly, the connections I make with my clients are incredibly rewarding. Hairdressing is intimate and I’ve forged deep relationships with people from all walks of life. Each client brings a new story and perspective, enriching my own experience and broadening my worldview.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ladyneptunesalon.com/
• Instagram: @combnshears & @ladyneptunesalon
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-raine/

Image Credits

Danny Sanchez | @dny.sanchez