I’m convinced there is not a soul alive who doesn’t love a good transformation, they bring inspiration, motivate us and  get our minds working whether we are the ones creating or simply taking awe in someone else’s journey. I say journey because the effort behind such profound change is something that never really ends, it begins with vision, planning, set backs, challenges and does not end with just a finished product, instead it keeps progressing and bettering us and helps us apply our lessons to become our truest selves. In a world full of Instagram, “ before and afters” where we see someones faded and grown out hair magically become more vibrant, brighter, or a completely different color and cut all together, I really see the value in honoring the work that went in between those two photos – and I don’t just mean by double tapping.

Photo by Elizabeth Friske Photograpghy

To say my life has been a whirlwind in this past month is an understatement, so I guess that’s why I have been pondering change so much and have actually been trying to embrace the beautiful side of it. That is not something I did so easily when I had my son, I was happy with the direction of my career and felt like I had really established my footing at work. I was proud of what I was doing everyday. When I stepped away and became a mom my world was ROCKED, so I shifted my focus to a new normal and to figuring out that tiny little boy. I have always kept my hands in hair and continued to work weddings but my days behind the chair were on time out. Fast forward to now and this amazing opportunity in the new home of Darling and Dapper and I am ready to transform into a new version of mother and stylist. I believe with everything I have that creating space in my life for both of those passions will make me a better person and feed the drive I have for this crazy, insane, wonderful, UNIQUE industry. So there it is, I am officially returning to my position behind the chair. I don’t have a word to describe the emotion but lets go with somewhere between elated and terrified. That should cover it.

Now back to those pictures we love to display of our hard work and beautiful outcomes ( which SHOULD be celebrated and SHOULD make us proud!!). This could apply to anything, fitness, interior design, home renovation, anything DIY, baking…anything. I know hair so I will stick to hair, what I appreciate is the person who tells the story of the multiple appointments that lasted 4 hours each, or longer to get a client to her goal. The underlying pigment that had to be battled, the treatments and dedication to the integrity of our clients hair, the nights awake that a stylist formulates in their head or the pep talks from co workers as you call in for back up because you need someone to bounce things off of. Becoming the stylist who shares these details, no matter the platform, shows dedication to growing and learning – it means that you are so determined to better yourself that it just becomes part of who you are and how you speak. My goal is to be more like that.

                I want to share some pictures of the progress going on during the build out of the salon because it is so damn exciting for one thing but also because a person’s heart and soul is going into this space and I would like to acknowledge the vision and intention behind the end result. This is going to be a collective space for multiple specialties and just the thought of that is giving me so much life right now. So it may not be pretty yet, but it is meaningful.

Come see the AFTER- October 3rd- at our Grand Opening!