Check Out Annie Hayes’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Hayes

Hi Annie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I actually had no idea what I wanted to do after graduating high school. I signed up for classes at FSCJ to get my AA, but nothing really interested me about college or any “traditional” career path. I started going out more with friends and everyone I met out was a hairstylist. I didn’t think much of it at first, but the more I kept meeting people, the more I started thinking about how fun that could be. I mentioned Cosmetology school to my mom and she started telling me stories about my grandma and her interest in a Cosmetology career she didn’t get the opportunity to pursue. A week later, my grandma had me almost completely enrolled and I had no idea that it would catapult me into a 13+ year career that I love.

Alright, 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?
Of course not! Any profession that’s part of the service industry isn’t smooth.
Every stereotype about traditional salons was very true, so it was always a struggle to find a salon “home”. Being a salon suite owner and managing the business side is a 24/7 job as well. Building a clientele before social media was a game of patience and now having an online presence is a whole job in itself. The industry and trends are always changing and you have to keep up to stay relevant.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am I hair color specialist! I am known for my bright hair colors, blonding services and customized color for each client that sits in my chair. I am so proud of the work that I do and the years of continued education to be knowledgeable in my craft. I have a special process for customizing my client experience and setting the vibe to match their comforts. I think that my customization process and my personality set me apart from other stylists in town. I’ve created an environment of comfort, familiarity and fun!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think it’s important for any young or aspiring stylist to find a mentor in our industry. It can be a very overwhelming job and it can be difficult to navigate certain situations or conversations if it’s your first time experiencing them. Find peers that share your same values and beliefs. Surround yourself with people who are invested in your success and vise versa.
Networking is a 24/7 necessity for stylists as well.
I give all of my clients business cards with a QR code to my website. Word of mouth is still the best form of networking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anniehayeshair.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_anniehayes_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniehayeshairstylist