Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Saunders.
Brooke, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for the beauty industry started as a little girl growing up in my mother’s salon. I can still look back on my younger years and envision myself sitting on that black wooden stool in the corner of her styling station, watching her work her magic with bowls, brushes, and steel blades in total infatuation. Fueled by all things creative, it was then that I realized my purpose and my calling… to be an artist just like her that could serve and impact others in a physical and personal way. Salon banter, the sound of roaring hairdryers, the smell of hair color and the buzz of fluorescent lights over the salon floor were and still are the very things that make my heart tick. It truly is in my blood.
In 2007 I was accepted into Paul Mitchell The School Atlanta. One of the biggest influencers and mentors of my tenure as a student came from Melissa Powers, a gifted teacher, and a dear friend. She’s the real deal and someone I truly admire for her talent, style, and grace in the industry. She’s just one of those people you want to mirror because her gift as a master stylist is unparalleled. Upon completion of the program one year later I started my first “big time” salon job as a protegé under Oliver Bacchus at his celebrity-frequented boutique salon on the corner of Argonne and 5th in Midtown, Atlanta. It was there that I “paid my dues” if you will, sweeping hair and assisting 12 hour long days… polishing my craft and soaking up every bit of his skill and European finesse as a hairdresser that I could. Every week I had cutting classes where I’d practice a haircut until I “got it right.” One single stray hair meant starting over. His no-frills approach to skills and drills made work tough but made me strong as a stylist and taught me so much about discipline and mastery. I took what I learned from him and moved on to work at other nationally recognized but unassuming salons in the city until I was given the opportunity to launch and manage Heat Lounge in Dunwoody, a 20 stylist beauty bar with ties to the Moroccan Oil founders in Israel.
It was an amazing opportunity to become a Moroccan Oil educator and ambassador, for me to implement my knowledge and skills and work more behind the scenes but in a team focused way. While it was a great experience to get my feet wet in management and operations the creativity was lacking… I missed the hands-on work and freedom to create. Now here I am, back behind the chair as a stylist at Eleven Salon in Midtown, owned by my former PMTSA classmate Adjat Sudrajat. It’s a family affair here building my business in his beautiful and refined but unpretentious salon with a dream team of stylists he and our creative director, none other than Melissa Powers! Isn’t it funny how the universe works!!! I’m finally home.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been an easy road, but the hard and sometimes unforgiving nature of this industry is so worth it. One of the quotes popular in salon culture is “when you stop learning you stop growing” if you look at the ever-evolving nature of this industry you can’t deny the power those words hold and how they hold true. That is why continuing education and an eagerness to adapt to change is always at the forefront of my growth as a person and as a hairdresser. My advice to young women in pursuit of their passion is to always persevere, always push forward and always believe in the power of your dreams!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
Color and blonding services would have to be my specialty! I’m going into my eleventh year in the industry, and still, nothing gets me more excited than a color application, be it a traditional foil highlight or an organic and lived-in balayage. I pride myself in my work and strive to always do right by my clients. At the end of every service, their happiness is my happiness and truest source of joy!
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Luckily in my industry, I don’t feel the bias or sting that unfortunately does exist in many corners of today’s workforce. The beauty industry is full of boss babes and women pioneers, that’s why I love my industry so much, there is a lot of freedom for us to be and express who we are, we are loved for our individuality. But, for many women trying to climb up the corporate ladder, they do face marginalization. Trying to progress in any career can definitely be intimidating, so my advice is just to stay true to yourself and success will surely follow. Self-love = success. Screw other peoples standards of who and what they think YOU should be.
Pricing:
- Women’s Haircut $47
- Blowout $37+
- Retouch Color $70
- Partial Foil $127
- Full Foil $139+
- Balayage/Ombré $145+
- Keratin Treatment $185+
- Up-Do – $ by consultation
Contact Info:
- Address: Eleven Hair Salon
29 12th street NW suite A , Atlanta GA 30309 - Website: www.elevenhairsalon.com
- Phone: 404.845.6002
- Email: jacquelynsaunders@ymail.com
- Instagram: Hairbybrooke_at11
Image Credit:
Brooke Saunders
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