We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sheena Chickering. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sheena below.

Sheena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I started off doing an apprenticeship at my first salon. Whenever I wasn’t busy, I’d sit back and watch the experts work, I learned a lot from observing their techniques. I’m also very committed to continued education; it’s been integral to my growth as a creative. My passion for hair comes from the creatives I look up to and my desire to bring that same level of excellence into my own work.

Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have gotten out of my own way more. Social anxiety held me back from pursuing learning opportunities I truly wanted. I also learned from failure. Each failure became a stepping stone that led me to develop the skill set I have today. Instead of letting failure hold me back, I transformed it into a source of motivation, and used it to fuel my tenacity in elevating my craft.

I believe emotional fortitude is one of the most vital skills needed in my industry. Sometimes you have moments where you feel really good about your skills, but then you’ll have an experience that will bring you right back down to earth and humble you. Being able to get back on the horse is key.

One of the biggest obstacles I faced was the accessibility and affordability of education. In a way, the pandemic was a catalyst for online education. Before then, there was not nearly as much quality education available. What the pandemic did was give educators the time and space to create this type of content. There was a huge gap in the industry for a while and its helped bridge that gap to make education more accessible to everyone. This has easily saved me hundreds to thousands of dollars compared to in person education. When you factor in travel expenses, it easily adds up. And if you have a family, that’s another factor you have to plan around. Online education will never replace the value of learning in a classroom environment, but its a very welcomed and needed addition.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Sheena Chickering and I’m a hairstylist from Ellicott City, MD with 15 years experience in the beauty industry. I love doing anything from effortless and lived-in, to more edgy haircuts and colors.

The first salon I worked at was the main reason I decided to do hair, it offered both amazing guidance from the leadership and a strong sense of camaraderie among the team. I loved the community and creative environment. They offered a free apprenticeship program, and I was able to learn on the job. Given how much time we spend at work, it was important to pick a career that would bring me fulfillment. I dont have a 9-5 personality so it was perfect. I feel incredibly lucky that someone saw potential in me and decided to give me a chance. Doing hair has given me the opportunity to meet and engage with people I wouldn’t normally have exposure to.

What sets me apart is my commitment to help people express their individual style and celebrate their best features by ensuring they look and feel their best.

I take pride in how far I’ve come in my journey, focusing on continued education, technique, and artistry to bring out the best in each person’s hair. When you sit in my chair, I want to know that Ill take the time to understand and honor your hair’s integrity and unique needs. I strive to create a comfortable environment where you feel heard, allowing us to collaborate to make a hair care plan that works best for you and your lifestyle.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is to enhance peoples lives by giving them the care and attention they deserve. I believe its important to foster meaningful connections and build strong relationships. For me, hair services are a deeply personal journey, and I approach each client with the utmost care and consideration.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Looking back, one of the most valuable resources I wish I had understood sooner was reading the same books as high achievers. They provide a great opportunity to learn invaluable lessons about things like business, mindset, and strategy. Observing and understanding the paths of those who have reached success has given me invaluable insights. Reading helped me absorb the same wisdom, perspectives, and advice that helped propel me forward in my own journey. Learning from high achievers has helped me avoid career setbacks by providing more insight along the way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: sheena.april.hair

Image Credits

Photo #1 Makeup and Photography – Leah Sarah Bassett

Photo #4 Photography – Sean Scheidt
Makeup – Leah Sarah Bassett
Model – Melenie Blankenship
Hair – Sheena Chickering

Photo #7 Makeup and Photography – Leah Sarah Bassett