Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Crase, Hairstylist at Raven and Sage Collective.
Brooke, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was seven years old, I told my Mom I wanted to be a lawyer (so I could “be rich” obviously) and have a hair salon in my guest house for fun. This life chose me. My first job was in a salon, at the mall, when I was barely fourteen. I tried college for a bit and my grandfather, after a few whiskeys one night, gave me his blessing to quit and pursue hair. “Don’t tell the family I said this, but you don’t need to go to college to be successful. You’re not very good at it anyway.” Haha. So, when I was nineteen I started cosmetology school and officially began taking clients at a salon in my hometown outside Chicago. When I was 21, I moved to San Diego with the goal of traveling and teaching with A Robert Cromeans Salon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m so lucky to be a place now where things are smooth and secure, but starting in this business is not easy! When I moved to San Diego, I left the clientele I had spent two years building in Chicago and had to start over. I failed my state board exam the first time so wasn’t licensed in California for a year and a half after I moved here! I managed a gym, I worked as a freelance makeup artist. I did hair illegally in friend’s kitchens (I am so touched that I still see those clients to this day). I started all over again as an assistant at A Robert Cromeans Salon, then built my clientele, again. There were sweat and tears and blisters and no lunch breaks. Sixteen-hour days, an hour commute each way, while working for minimum wage. I acquired credit card debt just for my grocery bill. Sexual harassment in the workplace was rampant. I recently heard that 80% of hairstylists drop out of the industry within the first two years. It’s an insane challenge to be in a position as an adult, supporting yourself, while trying to learn all you can and struggling to get by all in hopes that one day, it will all pay off. I plan on working with Hector, the owner of Raven and Sage, on an idea my husband and I had, that could potentially fill a gap in the industry and give young stylists an opportunity for more stability while building their business. The biggest advice I have for the stylists starting their journey is to learn all you can. Find patience. Be willing to fail. Surround yourself with people you admire and who build you up, people who are willing to share their knowledge. Don’t ever stop learning. Most of all, learn a work-life balance and be sure to incorporate self-care and bodywork to your routine. It’s crucial!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
First and foremost, I consider myself a service provider. I am 100% here for my clients and value that I don’t treat them as my canvas for my creative process. That was something I really had to learn along the way…to let go of my ego as an artist. There’s a balance between being a human and listening and being there for others while being able to execute my own creative expression. My first priority is listening to my clients, being their friend and doing what I can to make THEIR hair dreams come true. Effective communication and my own morals and values play such a huge part in how I create and how I choose to run my business. I definitely specialize in color. I get so lost in it. It’s where I’m happiest creating and I feel that really shows as a strong suit of mine. I love the challenge of looking at an image and breaking it down to make it happen for my client. I also know when to say no. No one with black CVS box color can be platinum in a day. I’m seasoned enough to know where to draw the line and explain to my clients what’s realistically achievable.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
ALL OF THEM! I’m very passionate about this topic. This is really our time as females. There’s a huge shift happening in our society and I’m so proud to be a part of such a female dominated industry. Our voices are being heard. We are being supported in positions of power more than I’ve seen in my lifetime. It seems the power women are giving themselves now is just the start and this is vastly becoming a movement that will likely change our society and government forever. In the hair world, I really have seen a shift especially on social media, of women supporting women. Power in numbers. I also think women have such an advantage behind the chair. Our empathetic nature, ability to listen and put our ego aside. Women are such givers and incredible multitaskers. Working behind the chair is almost like a right of passage for a hair stylist and the opportunities for growth in business and development are abundant from there.
Pricing:
- Balayage & Hair Painting starting at $145
- Haircuts starting at $85
Contact Info:
- Address: Raven & Sage Collective
830 25th Street Unit 101
San Diego, CA 92102 - Phone: 7606724116
- Instagram: @brookecrase
Image Credit:
All photos by me, Brooke Crase, Personal photo by my husband, Ben Crase
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