Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Roper.
Trish, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started dabbling in hair and makeup in highschool. I would barter with my hairdresser for hair services. I was happy to even sweep the floors! After graduation, I let other people’s opinions convince me to start Nursing school. I started working at Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta, and worked on a few short films and realized I was only happy when I was creating something. I became extremely lost and depressed after two years of Nursing School. I decided to stop fighting my passion and enrolled at Paul Mitchell Esani in Roswell, Georgia. I graduated on the Dean’s List and started my salon career at Katie Elle in Jasper.
After many pregnancy and health complications, I had to take a medical leave of absence. After I had my son, I decided I needed to start fresh and began at Muse. I started there as an assistant and was promoted to a stylist after only five months. I have now been with Muse for a year and a half. It was the best decision I’ve made.
Has it been a smooth road?
Haha, definitely not smooth! While in hair school, I worked several jobs. I was absolutely exhausted. I was driving an hour there every day, and I actually went through three cars that year. It took a toll on me emotionally. The first five months at Muse were extremely difficult. I really didn’t know if I would make it. We had a car repossession, my son was kicked out of daycare because I couldn’t afford to pay, my husband had an injury that left him unemployed for three months. Our utilities were shut off, we couldn’t even buy Christmas gifts.
On top of the financial difficulties, I was trying to navigate life as a new mom, battling post-partum depression, trying to work, breastfeed, pump at work, market myself, clean my house and act like a normal human. Adjusting to a new job is hard, and so is having a baby, but both together felt absolutely impossible. I made it non-optional to bust my butt and receive that first promotion. With coronavirus sending a whole new set of challenges my way, I’ve learned patience and am choosing to remain confident and resilient.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Muse Salon and Spa story. Tell us more about your work.
Muse Salon and Spa is a true force of power. We are a top 10 L’Oréal Salon, and rightfully so. We have about 50 stylists who are all extremely talented and knowledgeable in their craft. Our owners, Daniel and Jody, have created a strong family culture. They are extremely loving, charitable and supportive. They make sure we have all the resources to succeed, including constant education.
We have a diverse and supportive staff, and I am so glad to be a part of it. We are not compartmentalized, so most of us perform everything about the service-both cut and color. I do both, but my specialty is color. I love balayage and fashion colors, and lately (thanks to COVID at home colors), I have been doing a lot of color corrections. People come into the salon for many different reasons and I pride myself on giving love to each person who sits in my chair.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe that the industry is forever changing, and it’s only going to get bigger. I think that the pandemic has created a new and greater appreciation for stylists than ever before. More people realize how difficult our job can be and why they need us in their life.
YouTube and Instagram have not only created a greater interest in our craft but have also given non licensed people an idea as to what it is that we do every day. They now have a better understanding as to why it’s priced the way it is and why it takes so long. As far as trend-I see a lot of the 70’s and 90’s trends coming back lately. I never thought the mullet would be back in style so I’m both excited and scared for what the future holds! Haha!
Pricing:
- Haircuts $60 (subject to change)
- Half Balayage $120+
- Full Balayage $150+
- Traditional Foil Highlights $115+
Contact Info:
- Address: 11705 Medlock Bridge Road
Johns Creek GA - Phone: 678-393-2214
Image Credit:
Headshots by photography by Crystal Dawn
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
