Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylie Higby.
Hi Kylie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story really started long before I ever officially worked behind the chair. I grew up around beauty, creativity, and the salon environment in a very natural way. My mom, Becky, has been in the beauty industry for over 25 years, so I spent my childhood watching her build relationships with clients, express her creativity, and help people feel beautiful and confident. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much those experiences would shape me, but looking back, they had a huge impact on who I am today. I wasn’t just growing up in a salon—I was learning what it meant to build trust, create meaningful relationships, and make a positive difference in someone’s day.
I was also a competitive dancer growing up, and that’s where my own love for hair and beauty really began. I spent years doing hair and makeup for performances and competitions, often with my mom right beside me. I loved the creativity of taking an idea and bringing it to life, but what I loved even more was seeing how something as simple as a hairstyle could completely change someone’s confidence.
After high school, like many people, I assumed a traditional four-year college was the path I was supposed to take. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was happiest doing something creative, hands-on, and centered around people. That realization led me to cosmetology school at Atelier Academy of Beauty in 2019, and once I started, everything just clicked. I loved learning the technical side of hair, but I also loved the personal side—getting to know clients, listening to their goals, and helping them feel like the best version of themselves.
Over the past several years, I’ve continued to grow both personally and professionally behind the chair. I specialize in precision haircutting, fine hair cutting, styling, and personalized services, and I’m certified in fine hair cutting. I enjoy focusing on the details that make each haircut work for someone’s everyday life—their hair texture, face shape, head shape, cowlicks, styling routine, and maintenance preferences. I believe a great consultation is just as important as the haircut itself because it allows clients to feel comfortable, understood, and confident before we even begin.
One of the most meaningful chapters of my journey has been opening Higby Hair Co. with my mom. We became business owners sooner than we ever expected, and taking that leap together has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As a mother-daughter team, we each have our own specialties but share the same vision: creating a salon experience that feels welcoming, personal, and never intimidating. She specializes in dimensional color, blonding, custom color, and extensions, while I focus on precision cutting, fine hair, styling, and laser hair removal. Together, we wanted to build a space where every client feels genuinely cared for from the moment they walk through the door.
Today, Higby Hair Co. is a salon suite in Plymouth, Minnesota, built around modern hair, personalized care, and honest communication. Our goal is for every client to leave not only loving their hair but also feeling confident styling and maintaining it at home. For me, this career has always been about more than hair. It’s about building relationships, helping people feel confident during every season of life, and creating an experience that makes someone feel seen, heard, and cared for. I feel incredibly grateful that I get to do what I love every day alongside my mom, and I’m excited to continue growing both personally and professionally as Higby Hair Co. continues to grow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any career, there have definitely been challenges along the way. One of the biggest has been realizing that being a hairstylist is only part of what I do. As a business owner, I’ve had to learn so much beyond working behind the chair. Every day I’m balancing appointments while also managing marketing, social media, bookkeeping, inventory, scheduling, education, and all of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with running a business.
Another challenge has been learning to trust myself. Early in my career, I wanted everything to be perfect, and I sometimes second-guessed my decisions. Over time, I’ve learned that growth comes from experience, continuing education, and being willing to keep learning every day. Every client, every class, and every challenge has helped build my confidence as both a stylist and a business owner.
I’ve also learned that success doesn’t happen overnight. Building relationships, earning trust, and growing a loyal clientele takes time, consistency, and patience. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially in today’s world of social media, but I’ve learned that the most important thing is staying true to who I am and focusing on giving every client the best experience I can.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge because each one has helped me grow—not only as a hairstylist but also as a person. They have taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of never stopping learning. Those lessons continue to shape the way I care for my clients and the way I approach my business every day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Higby Hair Co. is a boutique salon suite in Plymouth, Minnesota, built around personalized care, modern techniques, and creating an experience where every client feels comfortable, heard, and confident. As a mother-daughter team, we each bring our own specialties while sharing the same philosophy: every appointment should feel welcoming, unhurried, and tailored to the individual sitting in our chair.
My mom, Becky, specializes in dimensional color, blonding, and custom color, while I specialize in precision haircutting for women and men, fine hair cutting, and styling. We both offer extension services and laser hair removal, allowing us to provide a wide range of personalized services while working together to help each client achieve their goals.
One of the things that sets us apart is our commitment to consultation and education. We believe beautiful hair starts with understanding each client’s lifestyle, goals, and maintenance preferences—not just following trends. We take the time to listen, ask questions, and create a plan that’s realistic, personalized, and designed to fit each person’s everyday life. We also make sure our clients leave feeling confident styling and maintaining their hair at home because we believe great hair shouldn’t only happen on salon day.
We’re passionate about continuing education and staying current with new techniques, products, and industry advancements so we can continue providing the best experience possible. The beauty industry is always evolving, and we believe our clients deserve stylists who are committed to growing right alongside it.
More than anything, we’re proud of the atmosphere we’ve created. Higby Hair Co. is a place where people can truly relax, ask questions, and know they’re receiving honest recommendations that are in their best interest. We want every guest to leave feeling refreshed, confident, and genuinely cared for. At the end of the day, we’re not just creating beautiful hair—we’re building lasting relationships with the people who trust us.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is building genuine relationships with people and helping them feel confident in themselves. While hair is what first brings someone into my chair, it’s the trust, conversations, and relationships that keep them coming back. I feel incredibly fortunate that my career allows me to be part of so many important moments in people’s lives—whether they’re preparing for a wedding, starting a new job, celebrating a milestone, or simply wanting to feel like the best version of themselves.
I also believe confidence comes from feeling heard and understood. That’s why I take the time to truly listen to my clients, understand their goals, and create a look that fits their lifestyle rather than simply following trends. My goal is for every person to leave not only loving their hair but also feeling comfortable, confident, and empowered to recreate it at home.
Outside of my work, relationships matter just as much. Building Higby Hair Co. alongside my mom has reminded me how rewarding it is to work with someone who shares the same values and passion for serving others. Together, we’ve created a business that’s centered on kindness, honesty, and treating every client like more than just another appointment.
At the end of the day, I hope people remember me not just for the hair I created, but for how I made them feel. If someone leaves feeling more confident, cared for, and valued than when they walked in, then I know I’ve done my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.higbyhairco.com
- Instagram: @kyliehigbyhairco @beckyhigbyhairco
