Today we’d like to introduce you to Sloan Stanton.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sloan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I took the traditional route when it came to where I went after high school, four-year college. It took me four year to learn that I did not want to continue pursing my degree, and instead, I wanted to go to cosmetology school. At the time of this decision, I was working as a part-time nanny for a special needs little boy in Auburn, AL. Austin, who is now almost seven years old, changed my life, seeing how his rare genetic disease did not wipe the smile from his face, and how his parents showed the deepest strength, gave me the strength. I needed strength to go against the path that was paved for me, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Fast forward, I move back to Atlanta and start cosmetology school in Buckhead at Keune Academy. I chose a school that was not mainstream or common, but one that I liked and one that felt right for me.
Throughout my schooling, I met so many different women and men putting themselves through school, artists in the industry, people of different ages, races, and backgrounds all working towards the same goal. Being in that diverse environment, I aimed to soak in everything that I could. I saw how much my passion for doing hair was showing through in my work, and that the more passion and care I gave a client, the better they would walk out feeling. I wish I could describe that feeling, but making someone feel their best, in a matter of hours is amazing. During school, I found my salon home, Vis a Vis The Salon, in Buckhead. After I finished school, I started working full time as an assistant, where I soaked up anything and everything I could from each artist. For a year, I assisted the top colorist in the salon, which gave me the opportunity to learn how to balance clients, conversation, good technique and how to make the most of my day while I am working. Full time was me working 12 hour days on my feet, little snacks, and drier hands than I would ever want to admit.
After I had worked under every colorist in the salon, taken many classes inside and outside of the salon, I was granted the privilege of my very own chair at the salon. Once I started on my own, I wanted to bring everything I had learned from school but mostly from my salon family and take it to my clients and their hair. Focusing on color, I have seen many clients of all ages, race, and hair textures. Behind the chair, I am focused and ready to make my client have the best experience while they are with me, make their hair look amazing, and I always try and learn something from each and everyone.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but it hasn’t been the bumpiest either. I feel like, as cliche as this sounds, everything happens for a reason. I started cosmetology school in a beautiful building in Buckhead overlooking Peachtree, only to finish in Gwinnett county 30 minutes from my new job. This transition also happened when the bridge collapsed in Atlanta, which made my 30-minute commute closer to an hour while riding in my car with no air conditioning. Trying to get ready to walk into a luxury salon in the middle of an Atlanta summer, was interesting, to say the least. Once I was done with school and had a consistent schedule, things smoothed out a lot. The road turned out to be a little bit more bumpy. No pun intended because I was pregnant with my son. During my pregnancy I had to move from assisting, to the front desk at the salon, so that made my journey to having my own chair take a little longer than I may have planned, but like I said, everything happens for a reason. I was able to learn every inch of the salon business, so I am grateful for my time spent seeing more parts of the industry. Like I said, the road wasn’t too bumpy, but I always take everything for what it is and try to learn from it.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I am a colorist, I aim towards making my client having an effortless, yet breathtaking color pallet on their hair. I want my clients to feel their best, so I ask them specific questions and have a very detailed consultation, every time. I specialize in Blondes, I say that because over the course of my career, I have been lucky enough to grow great trusting relationships with Blonde women. I have been doing more of a variety of shades, which I love because when I am taken out of my comfort zone, my creativity soars. When a client sits in my chair, I can almost guarantee that we will be friends by the end. I believe in creating lasting relationships with my clients, it will only help us both in the long run.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was eight years old, my mother, brother and I packed our car and moved to New York City, I still remember it like it was yesterday. Brooklyn was where my mother decided we would fit best, and we did. We lived in a beautiful brownstone in a little two-bedroom apartment across from the cutest park. I still remember what it felt like to be in the hustle and bustle of the city, yet I still felt at home. I was able to do some really cool things while we lived there, I will never forget that time in my life. I cannot wait to bring my son to the city and share that with him.
Contact Info:
- Email: stylingbysloan@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sloancolor
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