We recently connected with Sarah Bridger and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

I started out like every freshly graduated barber student…. feeling like I knew absolutely nothing but had a great educational start. I did however feel marginalized as the only girl in a predominately male corner of the industry. I ultimately wanted to be on the salon side. Feelings aside, I just wanted to get my chops in like everyone else. I quickly learned that I had a little different idea of how the industry should be ran, because of my barbering ideals. I did my best to fit in and learn as much as I could while I was young. I observerved other stylists and watched the 3 DVDs that were left of an 8 disc set of cut and color classes. Back in the late 2000’s there was a lot of branded education and videos were purchased or taught peer to peer. The internet didn’t offer much detail. But, I persevered and went to every class that was offered to me. Even classes that were at other salons. I quickly became the one person in the shop that knew how to solve the problem of why creative color didn’t look good after a few washes. Or, even why they’re scalp was acting a certain way. It seems so simple now but, because I was an education junkie that felt only as good as her last formulation, creative color became my safe zone. What you see is what you get, no formulation necessary. No one else was teaching it in the big salon setting. When I left the safety of a steady hourly paycheck for less branded freedom, my boss at the time told me ” I always thought you were bigger than this place.” I said “You gotta start somewhere.”

For the next few years I worked really hard at gaining momentum. Creative color and alternative hair was and is always my playtime. I wanted creative color to look like it grew out of their head like that. Natural. The industry is growing and I wanted to take my alternative hair and turn it into a fancy baliagé. Or style a mohawk with 8 colors blended into each other. I always did my best to keep my inspiration flowing and looking towards the next thing. In each salon I worked at I continued to grow a clientele.  I was and, still am, so excited to give this awesome hair to people.

Sarah, 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’m a well-rounded hairdresser and make-up artist. I work without ego or judgment to give you the best service personalized just for you. Some of my specialty services are alternative cuts, creative color, extensions, blonding, and makeup. I work in a private studio that can be catered to anyone’s comfort level.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Oddly enough Google and word of mouth.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was having a hard time getting exactly what I wanted in a solon. At that time, my friend of many years wanted to leave her salon also so, we talked about opening one together. We shopped around for a few spots and she found one and decided she wanted to open it up under her name and invite me to booth rent. Putting me in the same situation I had been in before. I went in with lots of hope and the situation became toxic within a couple months. Essentially, I ended up doing what I needed to do in the first place was open my own shop. My husband and I found a suite available very near by the new location and, it took us about 6 weeks to renovate the new suite. It was completely worth it. I’ve been here for 5 years. My business has thrived leaps and bounds since the move.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.geniusstudiossalon.com
• Instagram: @sarahbaddass
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Saucysarah78

Image Credits
Tara Danielle. @Raven_lass Denise Husted https://www.threads.net/@kaleidosoul.photography Elizabeth Langston @stonnysays