Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Burgess.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
So, I never wanted to do hair. My cousin is a very successful stylist, but I was always told to do “more” with my life. I tossed around all kinds of ideas for careers in high school, but nothing excited me. Except being a stylist. Around the same time, I met my husband and we planned to marry very soon, about a month after I graduated high school. I decided to give cosmetology school a shot. My idea was if I hated it or wanted to do something else, I’ve only wasted a year and a half of school and now have a way to earn an income while getting another degree. But within weeks of starting class, I absolutely fell in love!
After earning my license, I started out as an assistant and junior stylist at an Aveda salon in our area. I learned so much while there, but my husband’s job moved us back to our hometown. So, I worked at a salon in a small town nearby for about six months before the owner closed the shop, and I moved to my current salon home. Being at Tuscan Sky Salon for the last nearly two years has absolutely changed me as a stylist. My love for this industry, especially bridal styles and balayage, has exploded! My boss focuses immensely on education and I couldn’t be more grateful. My business has just taken off since moving to where I am now, and I literally cannot imagine living my life with any other career.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh goodness, no, it has NOT been a smooth ride! My main struggles came in cosmetology school itself. I know so many women love their time in school, but my experience was more of a fiery furnace being used to weed out the weak ones! There was a lot of contention and immaturity in the class. Some days, I contemplated whether or not this was even worth it. If this is what salon life is like, do I really want to live like this forever? But my husband was a constant encouragement and I just had faith that God would help me find “my tribe” once I got my license. But once I got out of school, I was really blessed with some amazing opportunities, especially with my first salon job. It was a total God-thing to be given that chance to learn and grow under the guidance of such an experienced stylist. The staff at that salon guided and encouraged me so much and I’m forever grateful.
But moving to my second salon… I could just tell it wasn’t going to be a long-term fit, mostly due to location. Any women just starting out in this industry need to do some soul-searching. Who do you want to be in this field? What kind of people will you need in your life to help you get there? Where do you want to be location wise? Who is your target clientele? Take your time deciding these things and finding the right salon to build yourself in. You won’t regret it; only YOU can decide how your career will play out. Also, be ready to work your butt off. Looking back over my almost three years behind the chair, I can see the seasons that I worked the hardest were my most successful. The more I believe and invest in myself, the better my results. Luck looks a whole lot like hard work and opportunity mixing together. Don’t waste any of it!
We’d love to hear more about Hair by Katie B.
So, my two main loves are balayage and formal styling, especially brides. I’ve really loved balayage since I took it on as a new skill because of how natural it looks and grows out. I try to do business as honestly as possible, so I love offering high impact but cost-effective services to my clients, and balayage fits that bill. It grows out so naturally, my clients can come to see me every six to nine months versus ever six weeks for maintenance. Now, bridal styling is where my heart is! I really take pride in helping women feel their most confident on that most important day. One thing I love doing for my brides is being with them all day on their wedding day. I arrive on location whenever we need to get started, but once we’re done actually styling the hair, I will follow my bride through all of their pictures for touch-ups (with bobby pins and hairspray in tow!) I stay until their veil comes off for the reception, even restyling the hair for the reception if they wish. During that time, I do whatever is needed to make the bride’s day as stress-free as possible. Need a cup of water? Let me grab that. Groom’s neck didn’t get trimmed? Let me shave that really quick. A photographer needs someone to hold their second camera for a second? Let me help. Customer service is key, and I think my brides really appreciate how much I genuinely care for them as people, not just as clients. I also bring a little swag bag for my brides. Who doesn’t love a little gift?!
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Leave everyone and everything better than you found it. The beauty industry can be so ugly at times, and that really breaks my heart. Doing someone’s hair can be a really emotional, spiritual experience. We don’t need to add cattiness to that environment! But this isn’t just kindness for the sake of kindness, this is a legitimate business skill. I can’t tell you how many applicants have been rejected and stylists fired from salons I’ve been at simply because they were not kind! You will go NOWHERE, in this industry if you don’t have a great attitude. People notice when someone has a heart that seeks to serve everyone they encounter when someone genuinely wants good things for the others they’re around. Leave everyone and everything better than you found it and you will be amazed at how successful you are!
Pricing:
- Bridal hair is $55 + traveling fee based on distance
- Balayage starts at $85
- Highlights start at $80
Contact Info:
- Email: katieburgesshair@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hairstylist_katieb?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=4p12qd0y7vpx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katie-Burgess-Hairstylist-337924636688995/
Image Credit:
Lauren Taylor Watt Photography, Tori Bronston Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
