Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1540979
42 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 6 Issue 2 and that you could go and teach. I had no interest in owning a salon. So that's been a very funny transition later in life—if you'd asked me in beauty school [about owning a salon], I would have said, "No, I would never." IS: Now you own a salon. How has the dream changed? TJD: Getting into educating with Redken and climbing that ladder and doing stage work—all of that was really exhilarating. I wouldn't change any of the experiences I had for anything. I would say the dream has changed. Obviously, owning a salon has changed. And it's funny how that came about. When I went into [the salon suite], I had people reach out to me asking, "Hey, can I come learn from you? Can I come work with you?" I went from two chairs to three chairs, then fast-forward to 2019, and we had 10 or 12 people working in that little studio. IS: As a business owner, how have you translated your brand work with Redken and Sam Villa into educating your employees? TJD: I feel like I'm at a point where I do things a little differently than what some of my friends do. Right now, we have six people in training, and there are three of us who predominantly do the training. I have learned that [it's a balance of] watching people, helping people, doing hands-on work, being able to ask questions, seeing work on real people, and, of course, doing grunt work—like doing shampoos, helping clean—all the things you should still do when you're a stylist as well. I like doing the hands-on training, making sure people know the "why" behind things. My favorite mentors—Sam Villa, Sean Godard—really helped me. Instead of talking at me or to the side, they would turn and look at me and say, "Do you understand? Do you have any questions?" Even in the busy [part] of your day, it's about trying to find that moment to turn around and connect. Two of the salon's support team members, Queen E Mercury (left) and Meow E Hendrix (right).