Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Applegate.
Alexandria, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I think about what got me to where I am today three things come to mind. First, my mother. She is a superwoman, truly. Always keeping me on my toes and motivating me to live up to my full potential. Second, my passion. Doing hair has always been a niche for me. It has allowed me to feel safe in a way. I used to tell myself, “Someone is always going to need a haircut so you’ll never be completely broke!” I take refuge in the fact that even if this or that doesn’t pan out in my favor I can still provide a service that makes me happy and serves someone else at the same time. I am so blessed to truly love an art that has infinite opportunities. Third, God. When I moved to San Diego from my tiny town in small-town Indiana I was a bit intimidated. So many things could go wrong, but God kept telling me, “But so many things could go right.” I leaned into Him and I still do each and every day. Those three things combined are the driving force of where I am today and where I hope to be one day.
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 don’t think that any road to success, whatever version of success, is easy. Granted, some people suffer greater struggle and hardships than others but it is important to never compare your story to someone else’s. Nobody can write your story but you. As for me, my journey has been very enjoyable yet very trying at times. Thus far on my road to success, I would say that there have been times where I have been completely depleted of my desire to do hair. As a stylist and other stylists can attest to this, there will be days I don’t get to sit down or eat. Or I will have a client that is very particular or dissatisfied and make me feel like I am not doing my job well enough. I let myself feel down a bit only to reflect on moments like that when my next client absolutely in love with their hair or my day in the salon was filled with good energy and hard work. My best advice to women who are just starting their journey is to take it all in. The triumphs and disasters. It is important to have mentors and people in your corner who you can count on to give you solid advice, remind you how far you have come, and motivate you. The people you admire today are who they are because of the many obstacles that have molded them to who they are today. Nothing is a failure, just simply discoveries and new lessons to be learned.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My work, for now, is going to Paul Mitchell the School here in downtown San Diego. I am a student and I will be graduating in October. Come see me before I graduate! I do everything from haircuts to blonding to color corrections, you name it. Blonding, my favorite, is such a fun way to bring so much light and joy into a persons life. Highlights, subtle or not, have the ability to completely change a person and see themselves in such a different light. The majority of my clientele is color and haircuts. Being that I do attend a school, it allows me to interact with new people each and every day as well as see familiar faces every four to six weeks for a touch-up! The hours spent behind the chair are well worth it when when I see my client smiling at themselves in the mirror obsessing over their new hair. What I am most proud of as a service provider is that no matter how many clients I take in a day whether it be one or five I still impacted someone’s day.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Finding a mentor is very important in a career. I have several mentors some being my very own teachers to just people I have met through networking. Networking is very vital. Attending classes or luncheons held for those who share the same interests is a very good way at networking and getting to know people who you could potentially help or they could help you. Being that the beauty industry is booming via Youtube and Instagram, I would suggest finding someone you admire and shooting them a direct message via Instagram or an email if listed on their profile.
Contact Info:
- Phone: To book with me call Paul Mitchell the School San Diego at 619-398-1590 and request student number 4143!
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandriaahair/
Image Credit:
Alexandria Applegate
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