We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Vondracek recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I guess my biggest defining moment of my career is always staying true to what felt right at the time. Because every decision I made, or didn’t do led me to exactly where I am today. The struggles and obstacles I have faced in my career really have made up the defining moments for me. When I was faced with obstacles I saw how smart I am, how creative I am, they made me driven, motivated, and so wildly determined. Once I started to see exactly what I’m made of, I felt empowered and unstoppable. I became more confident to pursue my goals with action and I began making decisions that came from my actions that changed the trajectory of my life and career forever. It’s been a beautiful journey. Now looking back the most amazing moments have really been in the journey not the destination that’s made the most impact.
Sarah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I knew I wanted to be a hairdresser at the age of seven. I grew up going weekly to the salon with my grandma to get her hair done. I saw firsthand at a early age, the importance the beauty, industry and service providers had. I would see time and time again how beauty services helped people look their best which in return made them feel good and I decided I wanted to be able to give that confidence to other people. I was always naturally fascinated and passionate about hair as well and knew it was a career I had the potential to do really well at. After graduating beauty school, I discovered quickly that I had so much more I needed to learn. And I also had a strong sense of desire to not only do hair behind the chair and service clients, but I also wanted to travel and share my passion for hairstyling with other stylists, Work closer with brands and products that I loved, and create my own brand and own mark and recognition within the Beauty industry. Once on you what I hope to accomplish I set down and started to create ideas and a plan to get me closer to my goals. I started educating first with major beauty Brands and creating an Instagram following. From there I got to network with many influential leaders in the industry and learn from them. I also got to travel the US with Sexy Hair and Hotheads Hair Extensions. I placed In numerous prestigious hairstyling competitions, worked at New York Fashion week for The Blonds (a career highlight), and got to work and be apart of many once in a lifetime photoshoots, events, and hair shows connecting with other passionate hairdressers. As my following grew I started to get paid brand activations and started creating content for many of my favorite brands that ultimately helped fund another dream of mine opening my own hair salon. Throughout my journey I’ve been exposed to many different aspects of the industry that has really helped me identify what space I belong in and also helped me develop and focus on specialties and services I truly love to do which is special occasion hair, long hair cutting and coloring, transformations and extensions. Because of my personal journey I have so much experience with social media, working with brands, negotiating contracts, creating my own brand/salon, managing my own client expectations I’m very well rounded with knowledge to help empower other stylists chase their own dreams. I’m also looking forward to help bring change and reform to the parts of the beauty industry that needs to be restructured so future generations of beauty professionals can confidently enter the industry and hold themselves and the brands and companies they choose to work with to much higher standards. My only purpose for being a hairdresser has always been the same. To help others feel beautiful, confident and inspired. I’m so proud of the fact that I have stayed true to myself and found my voice along this journey. I have forged and found my own path that allows growth, grace, that gives me the courage that continues me to push boundaries for my own life and career and that helps hairdressers see their worth, and inspire them to chase dreams and journeys that one else can see and understand but them ❤️
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the pandemic. I was out of work for months. During those months I really had to reevaluate what was working, what was not, and what were the things holding me back from my fullest potential. I had to make some really hard decisions in the months and years that have followed but they were necessary to ensure my business and career would and could continue to evolve and adapt, and change to my world as it was changing around me. I started developing policies, boundaries, and standards that helped me establish a better baseline to determine several non negotiables when it came to working with clients and brands, down to key elements I need in a salon environment to do my best work. From there I was able to have a better picture and understanding on the changes that were mandatory I make if I wanted to continue to do what I love. I leaned into past experiences I learned huge lessons from and that gave me the confidence to just be brave and accept the challenges or pushbacks ahead having the faith in knowing I have the determination and persistence needed to make anything I want for my life to happen. I clung to that faith, took a deep breath and made those changes. Now in 2023 I’m so glad I did because I’m no longer watering myself down for situations that are not for me.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
The most helpful in being successful in this field I believe is being determined and passionate. You can start off being horrible at something and with being passionate and truly loving the industry it will eventually bring you success because you will be so determined everyday to do the things that will make you succeed so you can continue to do what you love. Without passion the fire and fight just isnt as strong.
Contact Info:
- Website: beautymarkedsalonsuite.com
- Instagram: @beautymarkedbysarah
- Facebook: Beauty Marked Salon Suite
Image Credits
Elegant Illusions, Amanda Buckthorpe