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An Inspired Chat with Darian Bishop of Roswell

Darian Bishop shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Darian, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
I’d say my biggest teacher right now is my daughter. Being a mom challenges me in ways that no stage, classroom, or salon ever has— it teaches me patience, understanding, and how to approach life from a different perspective. I don’t always get it perfect, but every moment is a learning opportunity, and I try to show up better than I did yesterday. Learning from every moment and using those lessons to keep growing, not only as a mom but as a person and professional.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a hairstylist and educator with over 30 years in the industry, now working with the amazing team at Zeba Hair Salon. My career has taken me to 14 countries, New York Fashion Week, and even earned me a NAHA win for Avant Garde in 2009.

These days, what excites me most is being behind the chair, creating transformations my clients love, and mentoring the next generation of stylists through our apprenticeship program. What makes my work special is that I truly see hair as more than just a style—it’s confidence, expression, and often part of life’s most meaningful moments.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was in hair school at TONI&GUY, I had the opportunity to attend Salon International in London. I’ll never forget going backstage, meeting Anthony Mascolo (British Hairdresser of the Year and internationally, renowned Artistic Team leader) and watching him at work. It opened my eyes to the fact that being a hairdresser was so much more than just working behind the chair—there were endless opportunities to teach, travel, create, and inspire.

What I couldn’t have imagined at the time was that only a handful of years later, I’d be traveling around the world, doing shows with him as an integral part of that artistic team. That experience shaped how I saw both the industry and my own potential within it—it showed me that with passion and dedication, doors can open far wider than you ever dreamed.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The most defining wound in my career came in 2022, when my 27-year journey with TONI&GUY came to an abrupt end. It was more than just the end of a job—it felt like the closing of a chapter that had shaped so much of who I was as a professional. There are still moments I miss—the travel, the stage work, the big presentations—but that loss also pushed me to reevaluate what truly matters.

The healing has come through rediscovering the simple joy of being behind the chair, connecting with clients, and focusing on making people feel good about themselves. It’s been a reminder that happiness can be found in the everyday moments, not just the big stages. Stepping into this new chapter has also given me less stress and more time with my family, which has been a gift.

I’d say I’m still healing, but I’m grateful for where it’s led me—it’s allowed me to see my career and my life in a new, more balanced way.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would probably say that what really matters to me is creating moments people will remember. Whether it’s putting together a hair show, throwing a kid’s birthday party, planning our annual over-the-top Halloween extravaganza, designing a wild costume or hairpiece, or doing hair and makeup for my daughter’s events and school plays—I love bringing ideas to life in a way that wows people. For me, it’s not just about the event or the look itself; it’s about creating memories, experiences, and little moments of joy that leave a lasting impression.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
At first, I thought the answer would be yes, but the more I thought about it, I realized… not entirely. I think we all need to feel recognized for our hard work, especially when we go above and beyond. That said, I have no problem giving my all, even when it might go unnoticed—but it’s always a nice feeling when someone acknowledges the effort.

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