Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Galati.
Rachel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began doing hair in high school. I started cutting my own and then my friends. We wanted funky short haircuts and $20 at the local chain got us nowhere near what we wanted. So when I did decided to pursue cosmo school I vowed to never be that uninspired hairdresser that clearly did not continue technical and professional education after licensing. I remember that feeling of not feeling heard because all she said was “sure ok that’s what you want?” after showing her my carefully sketched haircut on a small piece of paper. She didn’t care about what I wanted, she reeked of cigarettes and did the cut in two minutes.
Fast forward working two jobs after high school to save for beauty school without financial aid (my dad didn’t make enough to pay for it but made too much for financial aid). So, I saved and paid cash. My first salon experience was a huge success. I landed multiple learning experiences, I was educated on the language of elevating the industry so the world could respect us as successful people. I’ve learned from the best from a few trips to Vidal Sassoon academy in London to the Intelligence Nutrients farm retreat soaking in non-toxic beauty education from Horst Rechelbacher(founder of Aveda). For eight years, I worked for my ultimate goal of purchasing my first Condo at 27 in my own name in Vista. I’m a second-generation Sicilian and first-generation Mexican. I’m the first female in my family to be fully financially independent and to buy a home in my name. I am currently in my 11th month of working for myself within a booth rental salon and it’s going amazingly well. I’m fully committed to providing my guests education on clean, non-toxic beauty that professionally performs. And I strongly encourage my patrons to support indie brands that consider their health and mine, as well as the impact production has on the environment. I have recently switched from using foil to a biodegradable and reusable paper to lower my exposure to aluminum, eliminate waste and save water usage.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nope, not smooth at all. I am naturally shy and super introverted. I had to fight that social anxiety so hard because I wanted this life so bad. I’m glad I didn’t quit. There were many days I questioned if I was cut out for it. I went from nervous wreck answering phones at the salon front desk to creating genuine connections with all the guests in the salon as an assistant and then stylist. I’ve always been my worst critic and that one miscommunication in consultation or rude mean client can really make you question if this is what you want. I was such a people-pleasing perfectionist going in, it would destroy me if someone hated what I did on them. But now, I know I am not for everyone and I’m ok with that. It’s tough work. They don’t tell you the multiple career paths you are actually taking on when you become a hairdresser. Psychologist, mind reader, therapist, guru, chemist, artist, problem solver, educator, multitasker, and expert conversationalist. All that while you stand 8-9 hours or more with very little breathing room to sit, eat, or use the bathroom. It can be an introvert’s nightmare. But since I’ve been working for myself, I have a great flow now and the sweetest clientele to work with.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your business. Tell us more about the business.
I’m huge on guest experience. It’s one of the things seriously lacking in the schools. It makes me cringe when I witness it overlooked in appointments. I always check in with my guests at the beginning of each appointment to assess what worked or did not work from the last appointment. I’m a human being, not a robot and as much as I would like to be perfect every time I need to know if my people are happy or annoyed with something not working. Eye contact man. I need to see my people’s faces and not from behind their head in the mirror. We need that connection to humanity there’s enough distance with technology. I try to be present, they are the ones taking time out of their day to see me. I specialize in short hair and I do charge full price for it. I find a lot of short hair wearers struggle to find a stylist that “gets them” but also gives them an easy cut that can grow out nicely for them. The majority of my education has been focused on bobs and shorter. 99% of my guests have hair above their shoulders. Short hair is way more challenging and technical than long hair. Any hairdresser can make hair pretty if it’s up in a ponytail all day or beach waved forever. Short haircuts don’t lie and utilize the bone structure in a face, you’re working closely with growth patterns and natural texture. And a majority of hairdressers are afraid of it or not inclined to fine-tune custom precision cutting. Also, short-haired ladies are super rad. There’s a certain fierce non-pretentious attitude they have and it gives me life. They don’t give a care what other people think about them and those are the folks I want in my chair. All of my guests know I will never recommend a corporate-owned product to them. If a major corporate label owns it, chances are the quality is questionable and it’s no different than the multiple other brands of shampoo that they also own with the same cheap ingredients just with a different fragrance and multiple price points. All in the name of greed and not a care about your health or hair. “coconut oil” “argan oil” “sulfate free” all marketing buzz words that don’t mean a thing when it comes to feeding the scalp and hair when endocrine disrupting chemicals tag along. But that’s a whole other rant in itself.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
It’s a tough industry to be in. We give so much of ourselves. It’s a service industry. There’s no 401k’s here, health insurance, paid vacations, paid sick days or sick days at all. For women with families, I honestly don’t know how they can do it. Serving with mind, body and soul. And this is where I still see men leading in education. I think subconsciously even myself included we are still an industry viewing male opinions on creative color and cutting as the best there is to offer. However, over the last few years, I’ve seen some amazing women stepping into the business and wellbeing aspect of the hair world and making some major noise. No longer are the masculine expectations of working harder and into the ground acceptable for us. Social media has changed the game so much. Compassion burnout, schedules that respect our humanity, wellness, self-care, bodywork are all huge conversations I’m seeing online and hearing in podcasts across the board. And all led by women.
Contact Info:
- Email: aclassydelight1@gmail.
com - Instagram: the.hair.
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Image Credit:
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