5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Hair Career
5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Hair Career
I've been behind the chair for over 12 years. And while I wouldn't trade a single moment of this career, there are things I figured out the hard way — things that, if I'd known them earlier, would have saved me years of exhaustion, confusion, and spinning my wheels.
I'm sharing them today because I see so many talented stylists going through the exact same struggles I did. And you don't have to.
Watch the full video above, and read on for everything I cover. 🎬
- Find Your Niche — Then Go All In
This one took me almost a full year to figure out, and I wish someone had told me to do it on day one.
When you try to be everything to everyone, you end up being forgettable to everyone. The moment I got specific — about my specialty, my approach, my ideal client — everything started to click. My content got clearer, my clientele got more aligned, and I stopped feeling like I was constantly starting over.
Your niche doesn't have to be forever. But picking a lane and committing to it is one of the fastest ways to build momentum and a reputation. For me it was razor cutting and clean color. What is it for you?
- Set Designated Office Hours — Outside of the Chair
For a long time I was doing everything in the cracks — answering DMs between clients, doing my bookkeeping at 10pm, posting on social media whenever I could find five minutes.
It was exhausting. And nothing got done well.
The game-changer for me was setting specific, protected time each week for the business side of things. Not behind the chair time — dedicated time for finances, emails, content, and admin. When you give those tasks a home on your calendar, they stop bleeding into everything else. You stop scrambling. You feel more in control. And ironically, you get more done in less time.
Even two focused hours a week can transform how organized and grounded you feel.
- Get Your Finances in Order Early
Nobody talks about this enough in beauty school, and it cost me.
When I finally set up a real bookkeeping system and gave every dollar a job — taxes, savings, paying myself a consistent amount each week — I stopped feeling anxious about money all the time. I knew what was coming in, what was going out, and where I was headed.
It doesn't have to be complicated. A simple budgeting system, a separate account for taxes, and a number you pay yourself every week is enough to start. The peace of mind alone is worth it.
If you don't know where to start, I'd recommend looking into apps like Wave or QuickBooks Self-Employed. And please — save for taxes from day one. Your future self will thank you.
- Invest in Continuing Education Every Single Year
This one is close to my heart.
There is something that happens when you get in a room with stylists you admire — people you've followed on Instagram, educators from the brands you love — and you learn something new with your hands. It breaks you out of creative ruts. It reminds you why you fell in love with this work. And it builds community in a way that social media alone just can't.
Especially if you work independently — in a suite by yourself, in a home salon, as a booth renter — it can get isolating. Getting to at least one class a year, meeting other stylists, following each other on Instagram, building that community and cheering each other on — it matters so much more than people realize.
You don't have to spend a fortune. One incredible class a year with someone whose work genuinely inspires you is enough to keep your passion alive and your skills sharp.
- Set Healthy Boundaries with Your Clients — and Protect Your Time Off
This might be the most important one on the list.
Early in my career I was available to clients basically all the time. Texts late at night, messages on my days off, squeezing people in when I was supposed to be resting. I thought it was good customer service. What it actually was — was burnout waiting to happen.
The boundary that changed everything for me: I got a separate phone for work. Clients have that number. My personal phone is mine. And I only respond during my business hours — Monday through Friday for me, but whatever your schedule looks like, that's what matters.
On my days off, I am off. No client texts. No hair talk. No sneaking in quick appointments. Complete rest. Time with my family. Things that inspire me. Hobbies. Recharging.
Your clients will respect the boundaries you set. And the ones who don't? That's information too.
The Bottom Line
None of these things are complicated. But they compound over time in the most beautiful way. The clearer your niche, the more aligned your clients. The more organized your schedule, the less you scramble. The healthier your finances, the more confident you feel. The more you invest in learning, the more inspired you stay. The stronger your boundaries, the longer your career lasts.
You deserve a career that feels as good as it looks from the outside. 🌿
Watch the full video here: [https://youtu.be/dingAdKPpxY]
And if you're ready to build a career that's sustainable, fulfilling, and actually profitable — The Sustainable Stylist course is coming this summer. Get on the waitlist so you're first to know:
https://www.theholistichairstylist.com/the-sustainable-stylist-waitlist
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholistic.hairstylist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theholistic.hairstylist
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theholistic.hairstylist
Free Guide — Salon Schedule Reset: https://www.theholistichairstylist.com/salon-schedule-reset-free-guide
