Today we’d like to introduce you to Autumn Morris.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Autumn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My creative journey began in West Los Angeles where I trained with renowned hairstylist Chaz Dean. This was a pivotal moment in my life! At 20 years old living in LA with a pocket full of dreams, I’ll never forget my interview with Chaz! We were sitting outside on a bench and Vana White walked by and I was like “God, please let me get this job!!” And I did! I learned so much from him! He helped me get out of my shell and he Glamorized me! He loved making women beautiful! He would take these amazing photos of his clients and capture true beauty! I knew I wanted to be able to relate to every single person that sat in my chair! I wanted to make them look and feel beyond glamorous! It was my goal to have every person leave the salon feeling like a movie star! Launching my solo career my clientele exploded with loyal clients such as Fergie, Bobbi Thomas, Janet Jones Gretzky and David Cook. I leaped headfirst into the fast-paced world of celebrity hairstyling.
Though my career was taking off, I felt I needed more experience! I craved knowledge and found myself wanting something more meaningful than all the hustle and bustle of the city!
I soon matured ~ needing something more ~ a change of scenery so my boyfriend (now husband) packed up and moved to sunny San Diego.
I started at a salon in downtown San Diego thinking it would be easy to grow my clientele. Nothing is as easy as it seems! I moved to many downtown salons and finally grew my clientele at a small salon called Crimson Chic. It was there that a co-worker brought me to a Redken Symposium in Las Vegas and my dreams as a stylist became even bigger! I learned so much from that symposium from haircutting, coloring and how to run my business! My goal was to always continue to grow my knowledge and love for the craft! I decided to become a certified Redken Color Specialist. Continuing my craft, I then became certified in several different types of hair extensions. With all of the training and knowledge ~ I still had a need to make it better! Chaz taught me that it’s all about keeping the integrity of the hair by coloring differently, outside the box! I took this advice as I grew my hair extension business!
I love helping stylists ignite their inspiration to stay engaged! It’s like watching myself learn all over again – and it ignites that same fire! It is an honor to help other stylists connect more deeply with their clients – and make better money in the process. Literally, everyone wins.
Always seeking the latest techniques out there and the desire to share my knowledge of the craft with fellow salon stylists, I was beginning to realize how much I love to teach and share without holding back!
There are some key people who have had a huge part in my knowledge and experience! I’ve been blessed and want to continue to share and inspire others to want it and work for it! It’s important to set yourself apart from others and knowing what that is will help you along the way.
I’ve trained many assistants and they have moved on in their careers growing their salon business! My last assistant, Kayla Ann Turner has been with me for five years. Kayla is no longer assisting me but working right beside me renting a chair from me. It makes me proud to see the love of the craft grow and blossom onto others!
Even after 26 years, I am still amazed by the talent and the education we have available to us! This by far is one highlight of my life that sparks the fire inside of me!!
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?
Laughing out loud at “smooth road!” Why is it when you’re going through rough times, it’s the end of the world and then you’re over the hump and it’s like it was a piece of cake!!
It’s always an adjustment when you move! Rebuilding your clientele is extremely painful! One of the worst challenges was when I didn’t make enough money to pay rent or purchase color for the next day’s clients! Managing money was difficult! Ever since I can remember, I got paid daily! Consistent clients equaled consistent income! Until that dreadful day, all your clients reschedule and the money pattern changes! I had several times like these! Without savings to back me up, I had to make a change! I had to think about my future! The great thing is not giving up! Going through the struggles and Lear from them is what makes them challenging! I’ve found in my life if I’m not vein challenged then I’m not doing anything!! I want to do something with my life! I want to succeed at multiple things that will require many challenges to achieve and I will do it! I know I can because I’ve done it before!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Owner of Glamlocks Hair Lounge. A small studio located inside the Salon Republic at the Del Mar Plaza.
We have the best view in the place!
Specializing in Custom Hair Color, Hair Extensions, and everything beauty!
Always seeking the latest techniques out there, we share our knowledge and discoveries with our guests. We notice people are thirsty for what’s the latest hair trends!
Our main goal is that each guest leaves the chair with a feeling of looking their best! Glamorous movie stars, musicians, working men and women and their families are welcome and treated like family!
What were you like growing up?
I’ve been told I was extremely stubborn, strong-willed and independent! I can see that’s true now! Those traits helped me get my way through life!
Growing up, I had horrible hair that was a frizzy, curly mess! I struggled with my insecurities because I looked different than the other girls! My mother was a hairstylist and I spent my time in the hair salon my whole childhood! I couldn’t understand why my mom couldn’t make my hair straight! So at 16, I went to beauty school!
After graduating from both high school and beauty school at the same time, I decided to move to Los Angeles! That’s when I discovered the things I loved to do! Running on the beach and going for long bike rides on the strand was and still is my jam! I have to say I love all things beauty! I become alive when I travel and attend education for my craft!
Pricing:
- Haircuts $95 and up
- Color $135 and up
- Extensions $700 and up
Contact Info:
- Address: 1555 Camino Del Mar
Suite 203 studio #1
Del Mar, CA 92014 - Website: glamlocks.com
- Phone: 760-405-7244
- Email: autumn@glamlockshairlounge.com
- Instagram: @glamlockspro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamlockshairlounge/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Glamlockshair1
Image Credit:
Jeff Murillo, Steven
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