Today we’d like to introduce you to Cate Lucas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a little girl, I grew up in a hair salon. My grandmother, Mimi, owned her salon in Oklahoma for decades. I used to love going there and was completely mesmerized watching her. When she was styling her client, I would stand right at her side fully fascinated. It was the beginning of me being in awe by the beautiful art of hair.
I decided to go to cosmetology school my senior year of high school and graduated three months apart from one another. I did hair in Arizona for almost seven years before I decided to move out to San Diego where I laid down my roots. I landed a job at Fox and Jane Salon in Bankers Hill. We had such a solid team and I grew so, so much there. This is where my knowledge expanded on trends from ombré to balayage leading to my growth as a colorist.
After 4.5 years there, I decided to move to a lovely salon in Little Italy called Maida and run my own business, Cate Miller Hair. Moving to Maida gave me the space I needed to grow my business.
I have always taken pride in everything I do, whether it be a simple consultation or a massive color correction. I strive for my clients to feel their best, inside and out.
Today I find myself still just as in love with my industry as ever and staying hungry for knowledge. I am happy to say that I just took my education on an international journey with an amazing color class in Paris, France, with the salon L’atypique. It has only been recently that I have begun my journey with teaching. I am so stoked with where I have found myself and the path that it has taken to get here. Thirteen years into the profession …31 years old! It has taken hard work, patience, dedication, trusting the process and so many late nights to get me to this point. I wouldn’t take back a thing and am incredibly grateful for every person that sits in my chair.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, it hasn’t been all smooth. It has taken a lot of love for the craft, drive, and motivation to keep pushing through the hard times. Hairstyling is an art as well a science and our canvas is alive. It is such a beautiful thing and can be trying at times.
Starting at 18 was an obstacle all by itself. I had to prove myself and my skill very quickly. The economy crashed about four months after I signed a lease for my own studio at the age of 20. I lost most of my clientele to job transfers and “cutting costs.” I was so scared and had no clue how to pay rent.
Some of the other obstacles that I’ve faced have been doubting my skill or fearing the unknown. There are some days where my job makes me feel both defeated and a true artist all in the same day. It takes creativity to stay inspired and inspiration to stay creative. I have other outlets like painting, drawing, and photography to feed my love of art, as well as traveling which helps me find art in everything. Seeing beauty around the world inspires me.
Life is meant to be lived doing what you love. I always say that my sole purpose is to show people how beautiful they are on the inside as well as the outside. I am so grateful to have the ability to do both of those things by the art of hair.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cate Miller Hair – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a blonde specialist known for a natural, lived in look with a range of blonde from subtle to bright blonde. I am a sucker for a soft blend. One of the things that makes me most proud of my business is that I pushed hard to get myself here and never gave up. I have built the type of clientele that one could only dream of and am proud to say that I work for myself.
What sets me apart is my ability to connect and build relationships. I feel that when a client sits in my chair I have the ability to talk to them as an equal and truly LISTEN. Listening is a huge part of the process. It is important for my clients to feel they are in a safe space and in good hands. I will eduCAte (see what I did there?) them on the process and products it takes to get them to their desired goal. Also, I love to chat and makes jokes. We are together for hours and, personally, I would rather it be light-hearted and fun instead of boring. I want my clients to feel like friends and create a bond … all while making them feel that they are the best version of themselves.
It is so important to me that my clients feel confident and beautiful. Nothing makes me happier than to see the smile on my clients’ faces when they see themselves in the mirror and feel so excited with what they see. The fact that my job gives me the ability to change a day, uplift someone’s spirit and connect through hair is such an amazing thing.
I am living my soul purpose which is to show others how beautiful they are on the outside as well as the inside and by chatting and being a friend along with giving my best as a stylist so they have the look they’ve always dreamt of and are able to present the best version of themselves in their daily life.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Well, let’s just start off by saying that San Diego is the best. I love its chill pace and light heart but it’s still a city so there is sooo much to do! So much nature. So much food and drink. Everything a girl could ask for. If you have a hard time missing out on things (also known as FOMO) you will have a hard time because there is literally always something fun going on.
Hmm. The least I like about San Diego. The parking for suuure. It is an issue.
Who the heck can do anything in 2 hours? You def can’t get your hair done in that time.
But that is probably my only dislike. It is the best city.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1910 State St #101
- Phone: (619) 232-0807
- Email: catemillerhair@gmail.com
Image Credit:
The family photo with my bus I have to give the credit to my good friend Jim Sloan
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
