Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1467303
52 indie stylist Volume 3 Issue 1 Remember, growth can be evolutionary. "Initially I was skeptical about supporting a Lady Barber category due to leaders in the industry stating that it was considered segregation. Since my goal was aligned with this ideology, I was blinded by this nonsense. But I've come to learn over the years that having a Lady Barber category does not mean women are restricted from competing in any other category. It is simply another option to compete in. The Lady Barber category has evolved from the need to prove our competence to an identity as a sisterhood. And we, as leaders, should serve the community, not cater to the opinions of the closed-minded." Don't be the trophy girl. "I do want to mention the notion of women being overly sexualized as part of their brand and marketing scheme. Not all women are created equal. Unfortunately, I would have to agree that women, generally, will always be objectified—no matter what industry. It is up to that woman to identify her brand and determine how she wants to portray her image." It's not true that you have to choose to play the sex symbol role to become successful. "I built my entire career without having to do any of that. You also have to think about the type of attention you are willing to handle. Also, being confident and looking good does not mean you should be classified as a sex symbol but as a strong, successful, and healthy independent woman. This can be done in a positive and uplifting way as opposed to an overly sexualized way. But to each her own, and ultimately, it is her right to brand herself as she pleases. We cannot control public opinion, but we can control our conduct and the delivery of our brand and message." Cutting "like a girl" is so passé. "The dynamic has changed throughout the years, and you no longer hear the term 'cut like a girl.' The industry is now supportive of women. In this industry, it's up to the women to represent themselves according to the brand and message they want to share with the future of the industry." Be ready to hustle. "I landed a job at a barbershop close to the [Denver] Broncos football stadium. I had to go the extra mile to prove myself by posting pictures of my work and creating photo albums of everything I created. That worked, but it wasn't until I started carving the Broncos' logo as a design with a haircut that I began to get lots of attention. At the time I was one of a handful of barbers who could create hair art like this." Learn to socialize. "When Instagram came out, I decided to use the platform as an online portfolio. This opened doors to a whole other world of barbering and beauty." Invest in yourself. "I attended my first barber seminar in San Francisco. Mind you, I was still living out of motels and trying to save money, but I just knew I needed to invest in my career; otherwise, I would never progress." cottonbro/pexels