We were lucky to catch up with Trish Roper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Trish , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Oh, absolutely. Maybe not so much my work, but the industry and what it means for the people who work in it.

There have been several times where I (or even my coworkers) have found ourselves with a client who somehow insults our industry, intelligence, worth, or makes assumptions about our finances because we are hairdressers. I’ve had people ask me if I am going to go back to college and get a real job, how I survive only working four days a week, if my parents are disappointed in me, etc.

There’s still some ideas that being a stylist isn’t a job worthy of recognition, respect, or fair pay. A lot of people also think it’s a low paying career. Hair is what you put into it. While money isn’t everything, it’s still insulting to hear people talk down to you, like it should even matter to them what you do with your life. You are sitting in my chair asking me for a service but you’re insulting my self worth without even knowing facts? Insight I have gained is that a lot of people just don’t know what the opportunities of the hair industry can be-or how passionate some of us are. So I’ve made it a point to be sure to educate them just how successful you can be when you “just do hair”.

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?

Of course ! I started dabbling in the industry when I was in high school doing bridal hair and makeup. I would barter with my salon and make a little extra cash or get my hair colored for free.

After high school a lot of people talked me out of cosmetology and convinced me to go into nursing school. I had really good grades and was in the honors society, all honors or AP classes, Beta Club, great SAT scores. But I always remained a creative. I was the marching band and show choir kid-the art kid. The kid with the unique clothing and interesting music choices. I knew what I wanted but I didn’t really listen to myself.

After two years of traditional college and some time off to work , I enrolled in the Paul Mitchell school and loved every minute of it. I graduated and began my hair journey and I couldn’t be happier. Since then , in addition to my salon job, I’ve worked amazing events like fashion shows for Saks Fifth Avenue, Jason Wu, and I just worked a VIP Event with Fendi for New York Fashion Week.

This year I began educating with L’Oreal Professionnel and traveling to other salons to help grow other professionals. I’ve also hired an associate, Jade. I hoped I would be able to grow and mold another person but in all honestly I think she’s taught me more than I could ever teach her, ha ha.

I still love my job behind the chair and I work in salon 4 days a week and I love dedicating that time to my clients and nourishing those relationships that put me where I am today.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think people need to stop looking at art as a dead end. But in return I think artists need to remain supportive of each other.

People who aren’t serious about the craft will fade off, but there is enough room for us all. Especially as it relates to the hair industry, I think that society needs to step back and realize what happened without us during covid. So many people didn’t realize how much that weekly blowdry or hair color every 6 weeks made a difference until it wasn’t available. Or they tried to do it themselves at home and didn’t understand why their hair turned orange.

Like many industries this is about the work you put in. We aren’t in a dead end just because someone you know didn’t make a lot of money when they did hair. And we definitely aren’t stupid. Our jobs are a combination of math, chemistry, color theory, psychology, and a lot of other things you wouldn’t guess we have to utilize in a hair appointment. I hope that people see the value in art, but the art they carry with them every day is something that should definitely be appreciated.

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

It might sound cliche, but, giving back.

I want to be the resource I did not have. I want people to be comfortable enough to reach out to me with their questions, concerns. I want to grow others and give them the confidence they need to reach their own goals.

I also want to continue to be a safe place for my clients. Every time I was in the salon I felt good there. I felt loved, listened to, like I was at a friends house. Some people don’t get that love anywhere else. So at least if I know that I’m giving that to them, I can help in that area if nothing else.

I went to nursing school at first because I wanted to help people. And I stayed for so long because I thought that saving lives and providing medical help was the only way to do that. But as I evaluated my own life-I realized I had people in my corner that nourished my soul and truly saved my life-and they weren’t all just nurses. They were people who were there for me. That gave me advice, that helped me get ready for my job interviews, proms, anything. So my goal is to be that person for other people. Whether I’m doing their hair or teaching them how to be that person for their clients.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @trishroperhair