Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Leonard.
Sarah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always had a knack for hair, however like many others- I never considered it to be a career move so instead, I went to a university to study economics. After almost graduating, I panicked. Economics is an amazing and very practical major to have, but it wasn’t something I was passionate about.
At the time I was graduating, I was working at a salon in the Reno/Tahoe area and I was obsessed with the idea of making people feel confident and beautiful. There was a sense of energy that people would obtain after getting their hair done and I loved that. I loved giving people that light because there isn’t many other careers you can do that for people.
After dropping out of college and going to beauty school, I started as a stylist at the salon I was working at called Pretty Parlor in Reno, Nevada. After being a stylist there for two years, I was realizing that being in my hometown wasn’t going to be enough for me anymore. I was becoming sad more often times than not and wondering if hair or living in Reno was even what I wanted anymore. I realized I wanted something bigger, I wanted to move but I didn’t know where.
Then this happened: one of my best friends, Hanna, was living in Ocean Beach at the time and needed a roommate so I said never been there- why not, guess I am moving to San Diego. Two months later, I packed all my things and here I am two years later. I found the salon I am working at now online. Belle Sirene Salon was the only salon I applied to, I knew when I saw it, it was the only one I wanted to work at so luckily, the salon owner, Sherri liked me and hired me that week. I met amazing stylists there that are some of my best friends today.
I decided to step back and be an assistant, I wanted to learn more and truly find my love for hair again. Now, still working at Belle Sirene, I work for my amazing boss- Carly Zanoni. Carly is the reason I started loving hair again, amongst other people at the Salon. I also owe a huge shout out to Linda Gattineri who pushed me to do wedding hair and now I get to be a part of so many people’s most important day of their lives. I am so lucky to be in this industry and meet all these truly amazing people.
Has it been a smooth road?
Struggles happen with any career, mine was deciding to pick up all my things and move to step back from being a stylist to assisting stylists. This, to others, sounds like a step back but I think it was a step forward. I am more educated now than I ever have been and my passion for hair is stronger. I am truly happy to come to work and what it feels like most of the time, hanging out with clients instead of providing them with a service.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Unaware Hair story. Tell us more about the business.
So the name of my business is Unaware Hair. This sounds like it would be a bad name but it actually is just a play on words. My personal Instagram name was unawaresar (unaware Sar). I created that name because my friends always used to make fun of me of how aware I was of my surroundings and how keen I was about paying attention to detail that I made unawaresar as a joke as my Instagram name.
People never call me by my name Sarah. They always call me Sar, then people started calling me Unaware. My hair account was originally hair by Sar- which was basically not rememberable at all. Then my coworker, Rachel said why don’t you just do Unaware Hair and then it stuck. I am a hairstylist, I specialize in wedding hair, up styles, any styling and/or braiding really is what I love to do. I absolutely love getting people ready for a special event or getting to be a part of their special day.
What sets me apart from others is I get people have an experience that is unforgettable, I love being friends with my clients almost as if we are just hanging out and they can tell me anything. I love catching up with them and creating an experience that is calming and relaxing or exciting and unforgettable.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In 5-10 years, I see my industry going through a lot of changes. I would like to offer styling classes online for clients and stylists. I would like to have full clientele filled with amazing people as a stylist behind the chair five days a week in a beautiful salon surrounded by people I adore. I want to go to fashion weeks and work in a high intense working space. Hair is always shifting and I love that about it so its fun to always be learning the new trends as time goes on.
Pricing:
- Wedding day Bridal hair: $150+
- Bridesmaids or Mother of Bride or Groom: $100+
- Junior Bridesmaid (18 years of age or younger): $85+
- Flower girl: $45
- Bridal Hair trial: $100
Contact Info:
- Website: unawarehair.com
- Phone: 7753547601
- Email: unawarehair@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unawarehair/
Image Credit:
John William (Instagram: @johnwilliam_photo)
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