Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am from a super small town in rural Minnesota. All throughout high school, I knew the “small-town life” was not for me. After taking a tour at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis during my senior year, I knew I had found my calling- hair! Cosmetology school was a very unique experience for me, with a global pandemic hitting in the middle of my schooling. Through many ups and downs, I graduated from the Aveda Institute Minneapolis in December 2020.
Flash forward to 2 years later- I have built my small business from the ground up, and am happier than ever in my adorable little suite in Minnetonka. I feel so blessed to do what I love every single day! Hair is my passion, and I love to share my work and make people feel beautiful and confident. It is without a doubt the most fulfilling job in the world.
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?
There have been bumps in the road- With the global pandemic hitting in 2020 in the middle of my schooling, it changed a lot. I had been prepared to graduate school nearly 5 months before I actually did. Life was put on pause for a while, and so was my career.
At the end of the day, bumps in the road are often masked as blessings in disguise, & I wouldn’t be where I am today if anything had happened differently!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I make people feel beautiful in their skin, whether that is a haircut, a hair color, an extension install, or a k18 treatment- my little suite has it all for you! I welcome all clients into my chair, and I specialize in blonding services, lived-in hair color, and most recently, hand-tied extensions!
I think it is such a unique and incredible thing that I get to show my creativity in so many ways, and people are walking around all over the place being my canvases and showing off my work! I think the hair industry is so cool in that way- our “art” is hair, and hair is all over the place.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned that in order to grow and be successful, you have to go through uncomfortable phases. In doing so, you realize you can accomplish so much more than you realize. You’re stronger than you think, and you CAN do it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hairwithhailey
