Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Chadwick
Hi Colleen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
During 2007-2014 I had worked in a couple of full service salons and then moved on to a walk-in only salon. During my time there I had the most exposure to many different hair types and had learned a lot because of it. Eventually I felt I had hit my limit of growth where I was at and began to not enjoy doing hair as much as I used to. I felt over worked and underpaid. In 2015 I made the decision to become an independent stylist and rent a chair. This was something I had always dreamed to be able to do but never thought I would be “good enough” to do it. I had to come to a decision on if I was going to take the leap into unknown waters or stay in my safe spot and feel stuck the rest of my career. Luckily I came across a chair rental salon that welcomed me with open arms and helped me along the way during this transitional period of my career. To supplement the slow weeks while building up my clientele, I had joined a wedding hair and makeup team to do weddings on the weekends. I had always enjoyed doing event styles and that was the first reason why I decided to go into the hair industry! Joining this bridal hair and makeup team and working for myself at the salon had reignited my passion and I never looked back. Now I have an amazing, supportive clientele and have experienced so many fun opportunities through the hair and makeup team that I am a part of.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey through out the 18 years I have been in this industry has definitely had its ups and downs! So many years of learning and growing came with a lot of self doubt, screw ups, and questioning if I was good enough to continue with this career! I had hit a turning point when I was working in the walk-in only salon and decided I had to stop making excuses and start holding the work I did to a higher standard if I wanted to become the stylist I would daydream about. In order to do that I had to change the environment I was in, choose to educate myself beyond what I thought I was capable of, and take opportunities that came my way even if I didn’t know how much return I was going to receive from it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an independent artist at Artistic Salon in Elk River, MN and also a Lead artist through Lady Vamp Artistry where I do wedding hair and event styles. I also help run the social media for Lady Vamp Artistry on Instagram. What I specialize in is foiliage techniques/ low maintenance color and wedding/event styles. I am most proud of my work making it into Minnesota Bride magazine! I was fortunate enough to have been asked to do the hair for a styled shoot for Rachel Leigh Photo. Her worked had received a spread in the magazine and when I saw my little name in the credits I was crying of happy tears! I have always some how been involved in the bridal industry though out my career and to have my name on a page of Minnesota Bride was something I thought I would never see. What sets me a part from others is my drive to learn and my attention to efficiency and detail with my work. Ever since I made that decision to hold myself to a higher standard with my work, it has been my motivation to push myself to do better and surround myself with like minded artists. I think when you keep your self in different facets of this industry and choose to work with people you look up to, you will continue to grow and stay passionate on what you do!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I would tell anyone who is thinking of joining the hair industry to work as an assistant at a salon that focuses on continuing education! I was so eager to get through beauty school and start working on my own to make money. But your true beginning is when you start working in the salon and there is soooooo much to learn! The more you focus on continued education and learning how to create relationships with your clients the quicker you will build in the future! Another piece of advice would be to not stay in a salon that showcases an unhealthy work environment. Just because you are new to the industry does not mean you have to settle for who will hire you. Find a place that welcomes you with support and a place that wants to see you thrive!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: mnblondette
Image Credits
Rachel Leigh Photo
