Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylie Babajan.
Kaylie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I think the first time that I made money doing hair was my freshman year of high school. Cold hard cash! And it was glorious. $20 got you a lot more back then. By my senior prom, I had girls lined up around the block for my updos, and I was even doing weddings. Weddings! At 16! I loved the stress and the quick pace. I loved seeing the girls smile. Weddings were even more rewarding. I was alive when I was playing in hair and I wanted to do it forever… but my parents had other plans.
My parents desperately wanted me to go to college, so I went away and tried my shot at an education, but my passion for hair never dwindled, so at age 27, I finally decided to turn my passion into a career. I’d already proven I could make money doing it, with zero knowledge, so getting some training would only skyrocket my earning capacity, all while doing my favorite thing.
Fast forward 10 years, geez, that is crazy to write. 10 years! Man have I grown up. I’ve been in San Diego for 7 of them, and I have found a niche in the hair market. I specialize in keratin treatments and it has been my most lucrative strategy to choose a specific hair service and get really damn good at it. I plan to open my own salon, SD Keratin, as soon as this San Diego housing market lets up. I’m manifesting an indoor/outdoor aesthetic with a rooftop patio, perfect for my keratin treatments and this beautiful San Diego weather.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Finding my way behind the chair came naturally to me. I had 10 years of bartending and waitressing experience prior to beauty school so I was already great with people, and efficient.
My biggest challenge as a small business owner has been the business side of things. Whatever the opposite of a Type A personality is, that’s me. Type Z maybe? I’m on the other side of the spectrum.
Mess doesn’t bother me, order does. My creativity does not flow in small spaces but rather thrives in chaos. These are not good characteristics for a business owner. Keeping track of emails. Calling distributors. Making sure clients are booked and checked out and charged appropriately. All of the things that go on behind the scenes are what keep me busy behind the chair and they’re equally important.
And the biggest challenge… finding balance between the two, and balance with your personal life.
You know, I had a prospective client reach out on linked in. I’m getting what’s app and TikTok messages. Emails. DMs on messenger and Instagram. Yelp. Groupon. It is so challenging to keep it all straight and what a beautiful problem to have: too many clients to book. I’m very grateful.
We’ve been impressed with SD Keratin, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in a treatment that brings out the best in people’s hair. I always say, a keratin treatment is like your hair, but with makeup on. Your hair, but the 2.0 version. A treatment that reduces frizz and drying time, that adds shine; and makes your hair overall more manageable: that’s a keratin, and essentially, I think they’re magic.
At SD Keratin, we worry about your hair, so you don’t have to. With over 5000 treatments under my belt, I have become an expert on every hair type and texture: there’s nothing I haven’t seen and haven’t smoothed.
My knowledge sets me apart from most, but I’d say my joy and my excitement to be doing hair, and to be specifically doing your hair, will make you a client of mine for life. I have so many clients who return time and time again, and I truly believe they can feel my gratefulness and enjoyment, to be doing their hair and it’s tangible.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There’s not an app, book, or podcast that can hold a candle to the amount of life experience and advice I get daily, behind the chair. I find that my time with my clients is like two-way therapy. If I need a lawyer’s advice, I know 5. I have a physical therapist, 3 doctors, and probably 10 real estate agents. Need a facial? I have a girl. Reike? I’ll send you, her info. Don’t get me started on my brow girl (@jeanieclark) and my tax lady who changed my financial life (@business101forcreatives). The amount of networking and wealth of knowledge I have available to me is immeasurable. The life advice, the mistakes made, the “do this, don’t do that.” The “call this guy, talk to her,” has helped me become the friend, partner, and businesswoman that I am today. I am so blessed.
Pricing:
- $150 keratin treatment (starting price)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sdkeratin.com
- Instagram: Sdkeratin
- Facebook: Sdkeratin
- Yelp: Sdkeratin
Image Credits
Alexis Quintana
