We recently connected with Waide Riddle and have shared our conversation below.

Waide, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

Great question! I had two. I’ve been a Licensed Cosmetologist for 42 years. From 1986 to 1992 I had the honor of working for the legendary celebrity hairstylist, Jose Eber of Beverly Hills. He was the creator of the Farrah Fawcett haircut. He was an intense employer who expected professionalism and passion for the craft. Once you were hired on his team, it put you on the map to be booked from morning till night. Lots of hours! Lots of hard work. But, in the end, the payoff was amazing. I also had the great honor of working for Paul Garcia of Denver, Colorado. I worked for him from 1993 till the summer of 1995—an amazing hair designer and passionate about the Art of Hair.
Both Jose and Paul were fantastic businessmen and marketers. They expected their Teams to roll with the punches and enjoy the successes. But, don’t ever betray them or get on their bad side. If you did, you’d be shut out and never be given a second chance. They would be happy to take care of you by feeding you clients as long as you were there for the free continued education classes, and you went far and beyond as an employee in the salon.
When I look back, I was lucky, I was blessed and I was fortunate to have had the chance to work with both gentlemen. They provided me with great and priceless experiences. I will never forget them.
Sadly, Mr. Garcia passed away in 2018.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My mother made me promise to have a backup career. That’s where my License in Cosmetology came in. As a writer, my talent became clear in grade school. By the time I was in junior high, I was writing for the school newspaper, which won me my first award as Best Journalist (7th grade). My teachers’ met with my parents and let them know that my strength was in my writing and that’s what I should focus on. Stupid me, I told them I “wanted to go to Hollywood and be a famous movie star.” Ouch! My License in Cosmetology has done me well and provided my bread and butter. In writing, I’ve won multiple awards and have seen my work flourish, being archived in prestigious schools, including UCLA Library of Special Collections and The Bodleian Library at Oxford University. I am proud of my current paperback books, “The Little Boy In The Little Red Dress,” “Meet Me At Third And Fairfax!” and my most recent screenplay “A Grieving Man.”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

In 2013, I had a serious back and spinal accident that left me practically incapacitated. I did not have full range of motion and I couldn’t walk normally. Suddenly, I couldn’t work. In less than a year, I lost my hairdressing business and clients and I suddenly faced social services, SSI, empty pockets, medical costs, and depression. Thankfully, with the help of the SAG/AFTRA Federal Credit Union and slowly putting one foot in front of the other, I was able to heal my dept, keep my Licensing, and restore my health to a certain point. Now, I write full-time and protect my health at all costs. The reward is when readers contact me and tell me how much my words have impacted them and how much they enjoy my stories. It tells me, I did my ‘job’ right!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to leave something special for the world. If I were to die tomorrow, I want my poetry, books, and stories to bring joy and be remembered as thought-provoking. I want LGBT Youth to read my experiences and know they are not alone. I love to hike and take long walks on the trails of Culver City/Los Angeles. I love to admire the flowers, wildlife, and life’s beauty. I even have my favorite bench I walk to, sit on, and ponder. It’s fantastic energy that helps my creative process.      

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.amazon.com/author/waideriddle
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waideriddle/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waide-riddle-63b594227/
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photograph of Waide Riddle by John Skalicky Photograph of Meet Me At Third And Fairfax! by Waide Riddle All paperback cover art by Jorge Velasquez