Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Little.
Hi Allison, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I graduated high school in 2010 and immediately went into nursing even though I really wanted to do cosmetology school, I was afraid I wouldn’t be as successful as I would be in nursing. I did that for about six years and once I was pregnant with my first child I left nursing right before he was born. My husband and parents told me I should go to cosmetology school if it would make me more happy and give me more freedom in my schedule since we had started a family. I started night classes at Lanier tech when my son was three months old and I would stay home with our son during the day and my husband took over in the evening when I went to class. I was finished within 18 months and was lucky enough to be placed on the floor as a stylist as soon as I obtained my license in 2019. While I was in hair school, I wanted to get my feet wet in the beauty industry and doing fun hairstyles and makeup really interested me. I practiced on a few friends and mannequins and everyone told me you should do weddings and events!
So I started with a few high school girls and did their homecoming hair and makeup for free to build a portfolio. I booked my first wedding about two weeks after that by posting on social media and learning how to use social media to gain clients and showcase your work to be booked. From there, God just blessed me over and over and now I’m to a point I never thought I’d be at. I just had my 2nd (and last) baby and work from a home salon doing cut and color clients that I built from the salon I worked at for three years. I love all my clients and now Have alot of brides and bridesmaids from weddings that become clients. I learned slowly that you have to advocate for yourself and it’s up to you in how successful you are in your career, basically, you get out what you put into it and I put my whole heart and soul and truly love seeing my clients face, whether it be a bride or salon client, light up when they look into the mirror and see their finished look.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not feeling like I was going to be able to pursue my dreams and be successful just because I’m a mom now and didn’t start all of this before I did nursing school. Owning a small business is hard but trying to be a good mom and wife on top of that is super hard but super rewarding. My kids (and my husband too) get to watch me do what I love and are super supportive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a master cosmetologist and I specialize in blonding services, balayage, spray tans, lash lift and tints, and weddings! Most cosmetologists end up not doing weddings or any kind of makeup and just do hair which is totally fine and everyone has the choice to do or not do whatever services. I enjoy all aspects of the beauty industry and I know that it’s my job to make clients feel like the absolute gorgeous queens they are and diminish their insecurities they may have about their looks.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I fully believe in community over the competition because at the end of the day, there are more than enough clients for all of us in the beauty industry and there is no reason to harbor any hate or ugliness towards another woman in your industry. There are enough bullying and mean girl stories from the beauty industry and I’m all for being the change for that and showing it’s not all drama and gossip. I’ve found other stylists on both sides of that and have learned who to keep in your community and who not to keep it from being turned into a dark cloud.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hairbyallisonlittle.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairandmakeupbyallison/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HMUbyallison
Image Credits
Blonde bride – Kait Victoria Photography
