We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophie Arnold. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sophie below.
Sophie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
When I first thought about the idea of becoming a cosmetologist I always had a preconceived Notion that I could never do it. I was influenced growing up in the Instagram era seeing tons of talented people post their beauty “art”. I constantly was comparing myself to them because I felt like I could never create some of the looks they were creating.
Feeling discouraged I looked for other career paths right out of high school, and I just felt stuck because I couldn’t find things I was very passionate about.
I decided to just take the leap, asked my parents if I could move home from college and I started going to hair school at Aveda Institute in Denver.
At first I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into, the long days learning and behind the chair were tough. Sticking with it was the best thing I did for myself.
I met so many talented people I gained as mentors, learned so many useful skills, and created a name for myself.
I graduated right as the pandemic hit, and I was a hard time for all service givers not just hair stylists. I finally was able to find a position as an apprentice working hard to learn as many skills as possible to hopefully one day get behind the chair making my own guest feel beautiful and loved. After almost 18 months I found a position behind my own chair at a dreadlock salon doing braiding, fashion color, and specializing in extensions.
It was so rewarding to be in a environment challenging myself to do different work every day on every single type of person.
I slowly became more and more in love with my work. It was so amazing to see people I grew close to feel so amazing about their self because of something I did for them.
Recently I had the opportunity to move back to my home town and dive into a new job at a fairly new salon. At first I was nervous to go back to where I grew up and service new clients I may or may not know from a past life, but the support from the community was overwhelming amazing.
I have had so many people come to me because of my reputation and it has been so fulfilling.
Knowing my history and going back to my roots was a very humbling experience but in turn I have grown to be more successful. I think all of the hardship that comes with the career is hard to overcome but in the current moments it reminds me how far I’ve come.
Sophie, 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?
Sophie With Shears started as a cutting focused brand but has slowly evolved into a cut, color, and extension service focused brand. I was very passionate about classic and fun haircuts at the beginning of my career but my love for fun colors, and long hair also started to become a huge focus for me. I realized that cutting is the polishing work for the current artistic services I provide.
It’s needed to make beautiful custom color and luxury hair extensions pop, blend, give volume and make the hair feel as best as possible.
Extensions are now one of my favorite things I offer. Growing up I always had the finest hair that would never grow past a certain length. I always wished that I could have long, healthy, full hair. I knew extensions were an option but I didn’t think I would be able to afford them or they would look good with how fine my hair was. I couldn’t be more wrong.
My biggest motivation for offering extensions is because I can make someone’s hair dream come true.
They can look in the mirror and see what they’ve always wanted to have their hair look like. It’s absolutely heart warming to watch as my client lights up in my chair.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Word of mouth is one of the strongest tools in my industry. I know personally, when I see something I like on someone else; whether it is their nails, lashes, their outfit, or a unique accessory I always ask were they found it or who they are seeing to receive that service.
Seeing the product in real life rather than on the internet really shows off the quality better than anything.
So many of my other clients recommend their family, friends, and even people at the grocery store to me because they love what they see so much.
Supporting locally and connecting people within their circle has been the most beneficial for my brand.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist to me really is the end result. Throughout the process of the custom services I offer are lots of long hours, intense smells and lots of standing.
Blow drying to me is almost like unwrapping a present I spent hours trying to perfect for my client.
I would say it’s like Christmas everyday!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldenembersalon.com/
- Instagram: Sophiewithshears
- Facebook: Sophie Arnold
- Yelp: Golden Ember Salon