Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayna Deiss
Hi Shayna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up like many little girls, cutting my Barbie dolls’ hair and coloring it with Sharpies. By the time I was 12, I had moved on to dyeing my little sister’s hair with Kool-Aid in our kitchen. My grandmother was also a hairstylist, and I spent countless hours playing in her salon, captivated by the creativity and transformation that happened there. But I never imagined I’d be doing hair as a professional career.
My journey into hair started in college. At the time, I was modeling and participating in hair shows while working as a front desk receptionist at a salon near my hometown. I found myself endlessly fascinated by the work the stylists were doing. During one of my hair shows, I started asking the stylist tons of questions—how they achieved certain styles, how they got their job, and so on. Eventually, one of them said, “You should look into beauty school.”
It was like a light bulb moment. I knew I wasn’t happy in college, and even my mom could see it. She took the initiative to book me a tour at the Aveda Arts Institute, and by that fall, I had enrolled.
Beauty school was tough for a lot of reasons, one of them being that I attended during the pandemic. Let me tell you, learning how to cut hair over a Zoom call isn’t easy. But I persevered, and eventually, I graduated and launched my career.
My first salon job was a trial by fire—“thrown to the wolves” is putting it lightly. But it taught me a valuable lesson: to succeed at anything, you have to fail. A lot. I learned from every challenge and misstep, growing as a stylist with each client.
After some time, I moved on to another salon, where I spent two and a half incredible years honing my skills and building confidence. I even won the Studio Colorist of the Year Award, a milestone that made me realize I was exactly where I was meant to be. I earned the respect of my coworkers and finally felt like I had found my purpose.
Today, I can proudly call myself a professional colorist. My journey—from experimenting in the kitchen with Kool-Aid to building a career I love—has been anything but linear. But every challenge, failure, and triumph has shaped me into the stylist I am today. And I couldn’t be more grateful.
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?
In this industry, challenges and obstacles are inevitable. It’s essential to approach criticism and difficulties with a level head and an open mind. While some clients will trust your expertise, others may believe they know better. The key is to remain grounded, confident in your abilities, and patient throughout the process.
Believing in yourself and staying positive are critical to thriving in this field. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, refine your craft, and strengthen your passion for what you do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a color specialist, my expertise lies in creating stunning transformations, with a particular focus on blondes. Not just natural blondes though. While I’m always up for a creative challenge, my goal is to help my clients achieve beautiful, healthy hair that suits their lifestyle.
What truly sets me apart is the time I dedicate to building genuine, one-on-one connections with each of my clients. I take pride in creating a safe and welcoming environment—where every visit feels less like an appointment and more like catching up with a close friend.
I’m also passionate about educating my clients on proper hair care. From personalized tips to advice, I ensure they leave not only with great hair but also with the knowledge to maintain it long after their visit.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
One of my most recent risks I’ve taken was moving to a new salon.
I knew I was unhappy at the salons I had worked at for a while. While they gave me invaluable knowledge and experiences that helped me grow both professionally and personally, I reached a point where I realized it was time to move on and continue my journey elsewhere.
Leaving a salon is never easy—it comes with its fair share of risks. You face the possibility of losing your clientele and the challenge of rebuilding trust with new clients. Putting yourself out there means opening yourself up to judgment, whether it’s through a first impression, a website, or a Google review.
Despite the uncertainty, I knew the decision to move was necessary for my growth. Each step I’ve taken has taught me resilience, self-confidence, and the importance of believing in my expertise.
Pricing:
- Full specialty 250
- Full specialty + cut 300
- Partial 200
- One step 110
- One step + cut 160
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.modamademn.com/shayna
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaynadhair/reels/
