We recently connected with Robert Rea and have shared our conversation below.
Robert, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
I am and was fortunate to grow up with a lot of people who love and support me. I was adopted and raised in Orange County, CA, and later in life, found my biological family in Michigan. Turned out my bio-mom and adopted sister (both “Deborah’s”, coincidentally) went to cosmetology School before me. Even though neither of them pursued a career in hair, I found a really creative outlet inside my role as a hair stylist. I also found that, much like my bio-mom, people were happy to pay me for whatever I could do to help them. I have mowed lawns, taught piano lessons, been a personal shopper/assistant, worked retail in a busy mall, made coffees and served meals, mixed drinks, and heard all the salon gossip… turns out, I really enjoy talking to people and helping them thrive! Adding a life coaching certification during the pandemic helped me delve further into my passion of helping others. It must have taken a truck load of patience to watch me try so many things, before finding my path! I am grateful to have my family, bio-family, and chosen family, all in my life, supporting me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Blending mental health with hair dressing came quite naturally to me. I constantly strive to help clients feel better about themselves through their hairstyles and self care. As a self-image consultant, I don’t just help with how someone chooses to present themselves to the world, I also provide the safe space to do the inner-work, how we see ourselves. There’s a logical way to accomplish things when you’re neurodivergent, like myself. And I find that exploring more ways to provide self care, allows people to feel empowered with their choices, every day.
When I started my career path in cosmetology, I made a list of goals in beauty school, creating a 5 year plan for myself.
1. Wear all black, to minimize attention on me, promoting focus on the client
2. Shave my head (to be confident with my appearance regardless of my hair style, density, etc.)
3. Buy a new car.
4. Move to West Hollywood.
5. Work on celebrities.
That left a lot of room for interpretation 😂
5 years later, I was cleaning out an ex-boyfriend’s belongings from my apartment when I came across that sheet of paper. I was so proud and shocked to realize I had manifested everything on that list, be it trivial or huge… And I had accomplished it all in 3 years! This reminded me how powerful our hearts and minds are, when we set goals and intentions for ourselves. In that time, I had built a clientele in Orange County, moved to West Hollywood and built additional clienteles in WeHo, Beverly Hills and San Marino, worked on set for Penthouse Studios (doing hair and makeup for the porn industry), and landed some pretty recognizable clients from social media, TV, red carpets, and some websites I probably shouldn’t mention here! This gave me access to many people who encouraged me to soar! I had no idea that being so invested in how people feel about themselves would be such a rewarding and challenging path — I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t push myself to grow, because I never stopped encouraging others to find better versions of themselves. However in 2020, I learned some really valuable tools that helped me separate my people-pleasing habits from my expectations. Instead of gossiping about weekend trysts or how long it took to nurse that hangover, I focused on personal growth, overcoming challenges like germaphobia and living with OCD. I watched my clients grow exponentially; and while I would never take credit for someone else’s growth, it is such an honor to be chosen to ride alongside these incredible humans, knowing them personally and deeply, helping them show the world exactly who they are. They have set world records, received some of the highest honors, evolved emotionally, and continue to inspire me. I am deeply grateful to anyone who feels that their time with me resonates with positivity and growth.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective way to grow a clientele, is to tell everyone you meet exactly what you do, and say it with pride. I remember telling a client like ten years ago, who was struggling to find dates: “there are good dates; and there are good stories”. What I mean by that, is that by putting yourself out there — being vulnerable to connection, regardless of expectations — you let people get to know you and potentially like you. It’s ok if it’s not a romantic fit. Sometimes, trying something on just for size, shows you what you do and don’t like. I used an example from my own life: going on a date with someone significantly older. I authentically described some interests and preferences that maybe didn’t fit with that person so well. I didn’t cancel. I didn’t lie. I simply had a delightful meal with a new person, and got to express some things I’d never really said out loud before. A few days later, he texted saying he had a friend he wanted to introduce me to, someone around my age who had similar interests, and suggested we all grab a drink together. I ended up dating that guy for several months before he moved out of state, and there was only joy, never heart break. This became a foundation for me getting over my fears. I had no idea I had spent my whole life people pleasing, afraid of how they might react to me or something I said. When you just say things, and come from a place of love and curiosity, you expose yourself to opportunities to grow. People remember that about me, and sometimes they come back years later, or drop my name as a wonderful referral. It never hurts to invest a little time getting to know someone. Relationships are the only thing that really matter in life, to me. That can be professional, romantic, personal or spiritual. They all are a part of me. Besides, I am the product. I am the brand. “Anyone can cut your hair, but who do you want to sit with for hours and talk to?” I’m not everyone’s cup of tea though, either. And sometimes that’s mutual!
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I mostly work solo, but when I have opportunities to collaborate, I jump on them! I am always so excited and inspired by other people, especially creatives! Whether it’s my entire glam squad, getting 12 people ready for the Emmy’s red carpet, a photo shoot on location, or just an apprentice, helping me with a client, I encourage people to ask questions and talk to each other. I also learned from experience, that someone always needs to take charge! It is my personal mission, every time, to give the client a positive experience where they feel pampered and cared for, supported and loved. That might sound like a lot for a haircut, but in hindsight, it’s never felt wrong. I think working that summer sale at Nordstrom, taught me the most about customer service: “the customer may not always be right, but they will be accommodated”. That was groundbreaking to me. Both things can be true. And that’s really evident throughout all aspects of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.bearchic.com
- Instagram: @bearchic
Image Credits
Chiaroscuro Fotografia Dirk Vanoucek, Chelsea Lauren and Magnus Hastings