Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Mae
Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After a grueling and uninspiring high school experience, I did what it seemed everyone was supposed to do : get out of your hometown and go to college. I got accepted into a state school north of the cities, and moved there for the beginning of my freshman semester. I thought I’d become an art major. In my fantasies I’d paint the days away in a room full of natural light with an endless supply of herbal teas to keep me company. Pretty soon did I connect the dots that I would also need to sell my art to make money, which I was less apt to get behind. Something about it made me sad, and I couldn’t see it for myself. After second semester was over, I dropped out and moved back home. Time to switch things up and make some choices. Believe it or not, I knew a few things about myself at the ripe age of 18 : I liked creating, and I liked being around people. A job where I could have both was the sweet spot and I was intrigued to find it. I landed on hair. After only a little thought, I jumped and enrolled into Aveda Institute of Arts and Science for their Fall start date. My hope was that it did indeed scratch the itch of balance between a secure job and something that felt genuine and fulfilling. Fingers crossed. I graduated after completing 1550 hours of training, and received my cosmetology license. I landed an apprenticeship prior to my graduating date, and began working at a salon in St Paul. After a 9 month apprenticeship, and then another year or so behind the chair as a hairstylist, COVID came around the bend. The salons shut down for 3 months. Shortly thereafter, the salon closed for good. I took a longer hiatus from hair than planned – recovered from a premature career burnout, hunkered down at home, bought a 1989 conversion van and traveled a little, and worked jobs that I didn’t care about. My time away from doing hair made me realize how much of a void it was to work in a space that wasn’t creativity driven. I wanted back. But not in the same way. I wanted it way more and I wanted it to be different then my previous salon experience. I wanted authenticity. I wanted to do it on my terms. I chose to start my own business as a chair renter. Through connections in the Minneapolis hair world, I landed home at Honeycomb Salon in South Minneapolis. I opened my own LLC. I made my own schedule, my own pricing, my own brand. It was a scary jump, after being out of the industry for a couple years, having zero money, and zero clientele. My hope was that I would build quick, but I wasn’t sure if I would. With my nose to the grindstone, and a good attitude, I built up quick, made connections, and my little baby biz was in full tilt in a very short amount of time. It is truly humbling and I’m so thankful. I had no idea it was going to go this way, I had no expectation that I would be this busy, and I’m so glad I jumped head first despite the uncertainty and stayed true to myself. I have now been my own boss for a year and a half. I cant fully articulate how special and empowering it feels to be in my 20’s, a woman, an artist, a college dropout, and someone who didn’t come from a lot of money, to be doing what I do and to adore it. Humbled and so thankful. Those are the only words for it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been an easy one. Getting past the fear of failing was daunting. Building up my confidence and realizing how capable I was came with time, and it’s still something that I have to remind myself of.
It was nerve-wracking to return to the hair world, especially as a small business owner, after my previous salon experience. I worked in an environment that was intimidating at times, rushed, and for an owner that wasn’t very kind. Experiencing burn-out after only 2 years behind the chair was the result of that. The hours were crazy. The pay was super lame. I knew that if I was going to go back, I needed to do it in a healthy way, for my mind and my body. I wanted to operate in a way that felt genuine and intentional, so I could curate relationships with my clients and give them a service they loved and that I was proud of. I wanted to feel like an artist again, a creator, not a machine.
I wish the trades were talked about more to the youth as an option! Growing up, our school in the suburbs of St. Paul didn’t inform us of those things. It was : graduate, go to college, get your degree, work a 9-5. And if you dont fit into that mold? Good luck, buddy! And its just so far from the reality. My brain didn’t work that way, and it was frustrating feeling like I couldn’t do, or have, what others did because of that. I’m glad I finally found my way to my career path in the arts and trades and leaned on my strengths. I hope that going forward more kids feel like they have different options, and that the path to success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a hair stylist and colorist! I specialize in customized cuts and color designed to suit your lifestyle and that make you feel like the best version of you. I love hand painting dimension through balayage, and am a sucker for a razor cut shag. My goal is to give folks hair that makes their lives easier and makes them feel good. I’ve been loving the resurgence of the mullet, shag, pixies, blunt bobs, and any kind of bang lately! Anything nudging towards a punk-y vibe is really a joy. Giving someone a new shape or color for the first time that they love and is going to be easy for them to style at home is like… top tier best feeling ever.
Im most proud of being able to curate something that allows a person confidence. No matter what that looks like, its so personal, and its always fun. Im proud of the time and energy I’ve invested in learning through hands on education, as well as my will to ask questions. Im proud of my stubborn energy to never stop learning and attitude to do my best each day. Im proud of the relationships I’ve made with my salon coworkers, and my clientele, who have both been so incredibly supportive and amazing.
I want my time with my clients to feel like chatting with a friend. I want to make it as welcoming and approachable of an experience as possible. I’m having a good time, I also want to make sure they’re having a good time. Or relaxing at least. I like the community aspect of South Minneapolis. Its been super neat to meet the neighborhood. I extended my appointment timing so I can achieve full, clear, consultations, as well as deliver a result my clients and I both feel really great about, because again, its all so personal and all so different.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamed of having my own hobby farm. I want like, a huge garden and a horse and a dog and a really old, red, pick up truck. Some call it cottage-core. So, I think everything I do comes back around to that singular goal I’ve daydreamed about. And when I get there, I’ll still be creating all kinds of art- pottery, painting, weaving – which will always be a huge part of my life, profitable or not. I bet you a million dollars I’ll still be razor cutting as many shags and mullets as I can, too.
Pricing:
- consultation : complementary
- haircut : $65
- full balayage/highlight : $190+
- all over color: $120+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.honeycombmpls.com/hannah
- Instagram: @mpls.hair.gal
Image Credits
Headshot by Daniela Shella-Stevens
