Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Socia. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Sara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I’ve worked in a number of salon environments in the past decade in the Austin area before opening my own studio. Something that I wanted to do a little differently is bring in the feeling of being comfortable in the space as a client. I wanted it to feel like you’re hanging out with a friend at home. I envisioned calm sounds on the stereo, candles lit, soft scents, dim lighting, and a cozy blanket while you receive a scalp massage. Not much clutter, and keeping it minimalistic. In my own experiences being the client, sometimes salon environments can be stiff, intimidating, and overwhelming. I wanted my space to feel warm, safe, and inviting. I have an eye for home decor and its something I truly enjoy during my downtime and I love that I’m able to bring an extra creative element to my space.

Sara, 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?

I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in November of 1986. I moved to Austin, Texas in 1999 and have resided here ever since. I started singing, drawing, and playing piano at a very young age and always had a passion for all things creative.

I will never forget the first time my mom highlighted my hair at home, I believe I was 7 years old. I was so blown away at the confidence I felt and couldn’t believe the color could do that for me. From that moment on, I was hooked. I knew I had to make other people feel the way I did. Family and friends always told me I should be a hairstylist. I would style friends hair for events, homecoming, etc. I never thought anything of it, as it came naturally to me. I would politely decline their requests and advice and say “there’s no way I could do that.” After working some pretty dead-end jobs, one day it hit me. I thought to myself, “what the heck am I doing, I WANT to do hair.” I had no idea how I was going to make it happen, but I knew I had to try. I put in my two weeks notice, and with the support of my amazing husband went to beauty school full time and risked everything to follow my dreams.

I specialize in balayage/foilayage, natural lived in color, fiery reds, shimmering highlighted blondes, and chocolatey brunettes. I also love long layered haircuts and adding shape and movement back into the hair. I don’t limit myself there, I also really enjoy funky vivid colors and perfectly tailored blunt and dramatic a-line bobs! I’m also a part time wedding stylist and assist two teams in the Austin and surrounding areas. I love to style hair. I have styled hair for a SXSW performance as well.

Something that is so important to me is the value I bring to my clients overall experience. I feel empathy is such an underrated tool. I have had traumatic hair experiences in the past myself, so if a client is nervous I truly understand the emotions that they are going through. I really take the time to listen to what my clients want and need, and try to effectively break down the communication to make sure we are on the same page. I take pride in knowing my clients leave with the hair that they want, and love to collaborate with them on their vision as well as incorporate my own. I find my consultation is what really sets me apart. Communication is imperative. I want my clients to be comfortable and confident with me so that I can deliver the look that they truly desire. I let the hair tell me what it wants to do and I have a vision of their completed look before we even start. I also make sure that I’m thorough and explain what I’m doing in a way that they can understand. I’m incredibly proud of my studio space, and that I’ve accomplished any goal I’ve ever set for myself. I put my heart and soul into every client, and my clients notice how much I care.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My mom passed away when I was 31. She was 57. She was my rock, my cheerleader, my best friend, my inspiration for doing hair. She was so proud of me and would post my work on her Facebook, cheer me on and hit like on everything I ever posted. When I lost my mom, it changed everything. My world was shattered. I thought my reason for doing hair was gone. All of the color from the world disappeared and I was just trying to get through each day. I was so heartbroken, in shock and devastated. Nothing made me happy anymore and it was really hard to continue doing hair. I wanted to give up. It was hard to have normal everyday conversations at work when I was suffering internally. But, it was in my in my darkest moments that I learned that connecting with clients and doing hair was my gift to the world and a gift to myself. It truly brings me joy. I learned how to use my pain and turn it into something really beautiful. Helping others is my passion. In the grief that I navigated, and still do, I promised my mom I would create again. I wish she was here to celebrate all of my victories because I know she would be so proud of me. I know she would want me to continue on with my passion and never give up. I still feel her love and I know she’s cheering me on and helping me from up above.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was thinking I needed everything to be perfect and mapped out to follow my dreams. Sometimes in life, actually most of the time, you have to just go for what you want and figure it out as you go. As a child I thought it wasn’t okay to make mistakes. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Life is all about learning and growing, and making mistakes! Perfect is an illusion and is not reality. As an adult, I’ve noticed that the more grace and compassion that I show myself, the better of a job I actually do. I had to teach myself a new internal dialogue. I had to learn how to talk kindly to myself. I had to learn how to be my own best friend. If I can pass on any advice, it would be to never give up on yourself. Its okay to make mistakes and always follow your intuition. It can lead you to some really cool and exciting places!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cosmic-salon.square.site
• Instagram: @cosmic_salon
• Facebook: Facebook.com/perfectionalhair

Image Credits
Katherine Larson Photography Double Knot Pictures George Benjamin