Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucas Doney.
Hi Lucas, 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?
Everyone has a unique journey through life. My journey is a bit unique. I started in the hair industry as a result of peer pressure. I had friends and friends of friends who were in the hair industry. The funny thing about hairdressers is that we all think our job is the best and that everyone should do it. So after years of avoiding the conversation, I finally caved and signed up to go to beauty school. I was at a point in my life where I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I figured that hair school was a way to stay productive. I went through beauty school being the “worst student whoever went through the program,” according to the director, who was a family friend. I struggled in the beginning and wanted to give up regularly. I would have conversations with the director, and he would coach me back on the rails weekly until I finished.
Once I finished the long marathon of beauty school, I started to hunker down and get more serious. I decided that I wanted to give this craft all the effort I could. I started to work for a very well-known salon in downtown San Diego. I would not be the hairdresser I am today without that space and those people. That chapter of my career really shaped me and sent me on the path I am on now. Fast forward you the present… I have now launched several new projects. We opened a salon location in north San Diego County in the middle of a global pandemic. We are still pouring into our Independent education company called Varsity Hair Education. I am still working four days a week behind the chair. All of this I have the pleasure of doing with some of my closest friends and favorite people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles and challenges are part of the process. I would say that my biggest obstacle has been growing up with a single dad and brother. When I started beauty school, I had not done any sort of beauty things at all. I would sometimes shave my friends head in the backyard. I remember my grandmother taking my brother and I to Fantastic Sams for haircuts as kids. My exposure to the beauty industry was really limited. In beauty school, I took it upon myself to learn as much as possible since I felt like I was starting behind everyone else. I bought every DVD I could get my hands on that pertained to hair. I would spend at least 30min a day watching something hair-related and then do my best to practice that at school in my free time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love what I get to do on a daily basis. Each day is a new adventure and always changing. I work behind the chair four days a week. I love having new clients sit down and trust me to help them make decisions on what is most suitable with their hair. I love the connection with people and building relationships.
We are also constantly doing our best to produce high-quality haircutting education for people looking to grow their craft and their understanding of what we do each day behind the chair. Varsity Hair Education will always be in the crosshairs. My partner Clinton Norris and myself are constantly tearing it apart and rebuilding it better than before. I think that’s what sets us apart from others. We are genuine. We are transparent. We are always having conversations with people on a real down-to-earth level. We are always told that we are easy to talk to and that we represent ourselves on social platforms authentically as well as in person.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
There has been lots to learn in the past couple of years. I think we have all learned so much. I know that the biggest lesson Ive learned is that perspective is key. The COVID crisis has reminded us that 10% of life is what happens to you, 90% is how you react. Lots of people and businesses have pivoted and adapted to the “new normal.” I think there’s so much value in learning those lessons. We get to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
There are so many things that are out of our control. We decide how we react. Our perspective will determine how it all gets navigated and remembered. This “crisis” has become an opportunity. I have found the opportunity to slow down, to focus on what feeds my soul, to spend time with the people I care about. It has allowed me to prioritize what’s important and to reevaluate my quality of life and what I want my life to look like moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lucasdoney
Image Credits:
Instagram @conermartz Instagram @taylor_winn
