Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Hammons.
Hi Priscilla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I am a people person. When I started working at 16, it was in customer service. Meeting and connecting with all kinds of new people, hearing their stories, and what has brought them to where they are in whatever season of life, has impacted me in the best ways. Their vulnerability and authenticity has helped me look at my life and choices with different lenses.
I come from a family where all my parents worked in finance or accounting. After working a couple of tax seasons, I knew it wasn’t for me. No one was happy to see me, but then again, who is really enthusiastic to see their tax preparer. I made the choice to change career paths after moving cross country to be with my now ex-husband. I was looking for something I could do that would feed my soul. I really loved to help people feel the happiest they possibly could in any given moment; that is one of the ways I measure personal success. I loved bartending, but that wasn’t a career path that would help me achieve my goals.
While I was chatting with some friends about how unhappy I was in my job, one of them suggested I look into cosmetology school. I thought back to my childhood and my barbies that I used to cut their hair and color it with Kool-Aid… And just I laughed. Then I said, “No way! I never want to be someone’s worst haircut!” She looked at me and said, “Then don’t. Educate yourself and pay attention to more than just their verbal communication. You’re great with people, you love science and shapes. This is right up your alley.”
Here we are 12+ years later and I’m thankful for that friend and her push (as well as my childhood dolls with the crazy hair!). I’m in an ever-evolving industry, filled with amazing opportunities, a way to connect with people in every stage of life and watch them grow. I never do the same thing two days in a row, I’m not stuck in an office, and I work in a high-energy atmosphere with the most inspirational people around me. I make custom wearable art, every day!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In my experience, nothing worthwhile in life is easy. I’ve always battled with imposter syndrome; it made me a “why kid”. In the first salon I was in, I asked a seasoned stylist about a cutting technique she had used and why she chose it. She very brashly told me she wouldn’t tell me because I would steal her clients. I almost walked away from the industry at that point. I’m thankful I didn’t and went on to find my next salon which I called home for 12 years. If I feel like a pretender in something I’m passionate about, I learn as much as I can. Even this far into my career, I make it a point to take professional development classes that help me grow my technical skillset.
I was very lucky, early on, to find a salon company that wanted to help each stylist grow. I had the most amazing mentor that took me under her wing for 6 months. I learned how to talk to people about their hair in an intelligent way, I learned how to juggle a full schedule and what that looked like in real-time, I also learned how to communicate when something was outside the reality of what someone’s hair can do, and how to gracefully talk to someone when a mistake was made. I also learned in-depth about hair color formula, how to carve haircut shapes and texture, which tools were best suited to create each look on different hair types. It was the best way to feel empowered in my new career.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Redken Certified Haircolorist! I love to color hair! My favorites are grey coverage, vivids, and lived-in color. Helping people with “sparkle remover” (or grey coverage) always leaves them feeling fresh and powerful. Vivid color takes me back to my barbie and Kool-Aid days. The bright happy hair colors are like my Lisa Frank stickers come to life. Lived in color (or balayage esque) is just so soft, versatile, and pretty to me.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can find me in Oceanside, at Rebel Rebel hair salon!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhawkhappyheart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappyHawkHappyHeart
Image Credits
Jennifer Meza Photography
