Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Schulhauser.
Hi Laura, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started as a visual artist when I was young, drawing and painting into my teen years. I also had frizzy, poofy, curly hair that I didn’t know what to do with. It was the object of much ridicule throughout my childhood, years before curly hair products or education was a thing.
I began coloring my hair when I was 12 and by high school, I was cutting my own hair. I was tired of getting bad curly haircuts and discovered dry cutting my curly hair. Throughout my 20s, I was a freelance photographer and painter, still having fun with hair on the side. When I was 32, I was married with an 18-month-old daughter and my marriage fell apart unexpectedly.
I had to quickly leave with all my belongings thrown in trash bags. I had no car, no money, no job, and was living back at home with my dad and baby daughter. Facing a new life as a single mother, I decided to go back to school for cosmetology. I applied for a scholarship, financial aid, and student loans.
I graduated from Paul Mitchell at the top of my class while going through a traumatic divorce. Right after, I graduated I was able to land an associate position with the top stylist and Redken artist Sami Skinner at Rio Hair Studio. I worked there for 4 years and slowly found my niche with curly hair before venturing off on my own and opening my small business as an independent stylist.
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?
Going back to school at 32 isn’t easy for anyone- but doing that at the same time as going through an awful divorce and custody battle, was one of the most stressful and exhausting years of my life. I wanted to quit all the time.
I kept telling myself “It doesn’t matter if you WANT to quit. It only matters that you don’t.” It pushed me harder and made me achieve more than I ever knew I was capable of. I was determined to make a better life for me and my daughter.
As you know, we’re big fans of Schoolhouse Hair Design LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m an independent hairstylist that specializes in curly hair cutting and curly hair care education.
I also offer to cut and color services for all hair types featuring Redken color lines, and product lines featuring Redken, Mizani, and Design Me. I enjoy educating clients of all ages about hair care customized to suit their needs, and building lasting relationships with them.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Making a personal connection with my clients and helping to show them the best in themselves. Our physical appearance has a great impact on how we feel about ourselves and how we treat others. It’s always more than “just hair.” I love listening to my client’s stories and getting to know them.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @lalaschoolhouse
Image Credits
Molly Bonk @molly_bee.photography
