Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Walters.
Hi Kayla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The beauty industry has had my heart since I was a young girl. I was known to sneak my Memama’s Mary Kay makeup every chance I could and taught myself how to french braid hair by using my American girl doll as a mannequin. However, my journey into this career is a bit different than some.
After graduating from high school, I began my degree in early childhood education while working as a pharmacy technician at a local drug store. I got married a year after high school (2007) and realized that I really didn’t “love” all the obstacles that teachers face and I wanted to change my major. I took a year off while my husband and I moved to Wake Forest, NC. After gaining my in state residency, I applied to a local community college where I later earned my cosmetology certificate. I worked full-time as a CPh-T at a local Medicap and went to school in the evenings.
Cosmetology school was where I met two amazing leaders who encouraged me to find the root of what I love and to chase my dreams. I enjoyed most everything about school but I absolutely loved formal styling and the creative details that went into it. Post graduation and licensing with NC I maintained my pharmacy job but I began freelancing for various stylists who didn’t enjoy the energy a wedding can bring.
My husband and I moved back to Georgia in 2014 where we mutually decided it was best for me to leave the pharmacy realm and focus only on relaunching my business so through reciprocity I transferred my license to GA.
I have always had a love for being creative and serving others. I wanted to build a business where a relationship with my clients was top priority. I never want our clients to feel like they can’t have open communication with us. I remember working my first “paid” wedding in Cary, North Carolina when I heard bridesmaids share crazy stories with each other about past experiences they had. I knew then that on location bridal beauty was a niche that I could thrive in. I wanted to be a difference maker and not labeled like any other. It would give me the opportunity to be creative, build relationships and meet different people every weekend if I wanted to.
Now almost a decade later I have a small team of girls who collectively bring a personalized experience to every single client.
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?
Like anything else in life, you are going to have highs and lows. That’s the beauty of growth. Learning from those low moments so that you can climb and soar is how you succeed. I think in the early years of my career juggling two jobs was most difficult. Learning that saying no is okay. In the most recent years, now with a family, it has been not setting boundaries between work and family time. It’s so easy to work when you shouldn’t because as a small business owner you’re typically your own content creator, schedule manager, etc. So having boundaries has been life-changing for our small family.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner of Kayla Walters Hair & Makeup and my team serves bridal clients/parties in Northeast ATL, Athens & Northeast GA.
My team strives to bring a personalized experience while creating an atmosphere where clients can fully relax and enjoy being pampered on the morning of their wedding.
We are known for elevating our client’s everyday self into the best version of them on their wedding day.
I think I am most proud of the authentic relationships I have built in the wedding industry. The friendships and trust that have morphed out of those relationships has been rewarding. Success in the wedding and beauty industry is hinged heavily on word of mouth. I am so grateful for the vendors, brides and clients who continue to share our info with their friends/family planning a wedding.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the charm that Atlanta brings. It has a little for everyone. I despise the traffic and constant road work though.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kaylawaltershair.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylawalters.hairandmakeup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaylawalters.hairandmakeup
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/kaylawalters_hairandmakeup/
Image Credits:
Personal Photo : Carin Hill Photography @carinhillphotography All Client Photos : Sarah Folsom Photography @sarahfolsomphoto
