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

Shelby , appreciate you joining us today. Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

I think alot of people believe being a hairstylist isn’t a true job because we “play with hair everyday”. People outside of the industry don’t understand how hard it is on you physically and mentally. Our brains don’t stop! Whether we are constantly keeping a smile on our face when we are exhausted or having issues outside of work; or we’re thinking of different placement, toners and haircuts as we are working!

You want to be comfortable with your stylist and sometimes clients want to vent to you or want your opinion on their personal life. No one is going to tell their client they cannot do any of that because what if your the only person they can talk to that won’t judge or be biased?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Well, I am a third generation hairstylist from my moms side of the family. I started in the medical field; stayed there for about 3 years. I wanted to help people, but for some reason I didn’t feel I could do that where I was. I’ve always been interested in the beauty industry, but it is such a large growing industry, I wasn’t sure how or what I could do to stand out to grow. One day I went to work and just decided I’m never going to know until I try and I enrolled in beauty school. During school everyone’s at the same level, even if you have a little knowledge of hair; you’re almost beginners. I wanted to figure out how I could overly grow. I was always watching videos, reading different material; pretty much anything to get more knowledge.

Graduated and got hired at a salon, you’re back to square one. You’re surrounded be multiple people with years of experience and you’re just out the gate.

I had a not so great salon experience at first which makes me sad because you hear more snd more about it than not. It makes you wonder if you’ll make it in the industry.

Once Covid hit, I decided to find a salon a little closer to home and I’ve been in love since! Everyone is super motivating and educational! You should be able to bounce ideas off your coworkers versus feeling like you’re in competition with them

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When you’re out of beauty school, yes you apply to a bunch of salons just because you want to get started!

And as the experience is super helpful for your career, some places just aren’t everyone’s salon home.

Just because you’re new to the game, doesn’t mean you won’t ever be on the level other stylists are and no one should treat you lower than them.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I don’t think anyone has a clear, perfect answer for this. Everyone can grow differently.

If you are starting out or in school or even trying to build up a side hustle. ALWAYS POST. Every stylist struggles with this because we are busy behind the chair.

When you post, post something that represents YOU make you’re own spin on it. Yes people want to see your work, but anyone can post a hair picture. Put your personality to your page, make people want to come to you not only because you’re good at what you do, but because they want to get to know you for YOU!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @skwaadglam