Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Iizuka.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I loved styling hair. At a very early age, I knew I was passionate about braids in particular after teaching myself how to French braid my own hair. As I got older, I had a difficult time reconciling wanting to be a hairstylist with the more “traditional” career choices. Ultimately, I decided on pursuing the traditional career path all the way through college. But my passion for hairstyling never stopped, and I continued to style my friends’ hair for fun. The advent of YouTube and Instagram sparked more inspiration for me, and I found myself wanting to start an Instagram account to showcase all of my styles. Two years and many hairstyles later, I can truly say that styling is something that I’m truly passionate about. So much so that I decided to start a small business: Tresses & Twine.
I started this journey as simply a way to showcase my interests to a handful of friends, but in doing so, I realized that I had the freedom and liberty to create anything I wanted. I went in with few expectations, and I can honestly say that the experience so far has been incredible. At each point in my journey along the way, I’m continually humbled and amazed by the people who love my creations and have a desire to partner with me.
From weddings to photoshoots, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had so many opportunities to work with some of the best in the business. My latest achievement was being able to showcase some of my work on a runway – something that at one point seemed way beyond what I thought was possible. While I’m still learning and growing in this industry, I know that there are endless possibilities. I’m looking forward to more opportunities to work with some of the best and brightest in the business!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey to starting Tresses & Twine has certainly been complex, and like the braids that I love creating, also came with many twists and turns. My biggest struggle was taking the leap into the industry altogether. As I was growing up, I was forced to resolve my interest in hair styling with choosing a standard career path that led to a 9-5 job. I went to college, received my degree, but never lost sight of wanting to grow my interest as a hairstylist. In some ways, it took being away from the industry to understand that this is truly where my heart and passion lies. It took countless hours of practice and years of growing my confidence to finally launch Tresses and Twine. After launching, I continued to vie for credibility and recognition in an industry that has professionals with countless years of experience on me. But my resolve to show the world that I am an artist with a strong conviction in what I’m doing has never stopped. If anything, it has only added fuel to my fire.
For anyone who is thinking about embarking on a journey that is driven by their passions and desires, don’t let age or lack of experience hold you back. I decided to start following my dreams at the age of 29, and it has easily been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself. I started off with limited experience and exposure in this industry, but I also know that I’m a hard worker and have the determination and grit to continually perfect my craft. Be brave, take the leap, and enjoy the journey!
Please tell us about Tresses & Twine.
My brand name, Tresses & Twine was born out of my love and affinity for hair styling with a specific focus on braids. Creating my brand has brought so much joy to my life, and is certainly something that I am incredibly proud of. Much of my inspiration is drawn from bohemian-inspired looks, but I also love playing with different textures and styles that add that extra “pop” to a look. Part of what has given me so much fulfillment in what I do is the ability to customize a style to my clients’ needs. From soft, romantic wedding up-dos to eye-catching, fiery festival styles, I love flexing my creativity while preserving what my clients are looking for. My diverse background keeps the door open for new things, but what really sets me apart from any other stylist is my ability to turn something simple like a braid into a beautiful work of art. By incorporating small details like flowers, or big loud statements like color, I can turn a basic braid into a complex style that helps highlight my client’s best features.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources that help you do your best in life (at work or otherwise)?
At the beginning of the year, I read a book by Donald Miller called “Building A StoryBrand”. One of the
key takeaways was the need to clarify the intended message to clients as you build out your company.
The book also highlights how to set yourself apart from the competition by offering unique products or opportunities that satisfy what your clients are looking for. “Building A StoryBrand” has helped shape and define my business, especially as I look to expand my client base. Below is an excerpt from the book
that has resonated with me:
“Our customers have questions burning inside them, and if we aren’t answering those
questions, they’ll move on to another brand. If we haven’t identified what our customer wants,
what problem we are helping them solve, and what life will look like after they engage our
products and services, for example, we can forget about thriving in the marketplace.”
For style inspiration, I gravitate towards empowered women who I feel have taken hairstyling to a
higher level. I love the looks and styles of Shayla Robertson (@samirasjewelry), Chrissy Rasmussen
(@hairby_Chrissy), Amanda Diedrich (@blohaute) and Whitney Burkhart (wb_upstyles). Each woman has shown me that I can continue to make my dream a reality and inspires me to push myself each day.
Contact Info:
- Email: tressesandtwine@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tressesandtwine
Image Credit:
@jbxmedia, @oneinamelon.snaps, @photosbybrittrakosky
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