Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Bannon.
Kayla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve loved styling hair since I can remember. I would use my younger sister as a doll and tie her hair up in little twists, cut all of my barbies hair, and all of the girls would ask me to do their hair for school dances in high school. My parents have always encouraged me but were worried that I was just choosing an easy route after high school so they made me go to community college where I studied criminal sciences. After receiving my associate’s degree, I didn’t feel like I was fulfilling my calling and researched beauty schools. My husband and best friends told me to go for it and go to cosmetology school so I did! I met Mariah Held before graduating and she offered me a job as her assistant at a salon in Temecula and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. She taught me the business side of hairstyling and pushed me to continue my education. While I was assisting I discovered my passion for bridal and special event styling. Mariah’s sister, Tiana Whell approached us and told us she wants to open a salon in Temecula and I was all in from day one. GURU is everything I dreamed of. I’m now the Lead Bridal Stylist at GURU and have a BOMB bridal team of hair and makeup artists that’s going to take bridal styling to the next level!
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?
You’ll never reach your goals if you aren’t willing to put in the effort and hard work. It hasn’t been a smooth road but I’ve known this is what I love doing so I’ve pushed through and I’m growing every day. I had plenty of mess ups and times where I called Mariah or even my mom crying saying I wasn’t good enough and I should just quit, but hearing someone tell me how beautiful I’ve made them feel is so rewarding. There is always going to be someone that’s better than you but instead of letting that tear you down, let it encourage you to learn more and better yourself! In this industry, you’re never done learning so take every experience, whether it’s good or bad, and learn from it.
We’d love to hear more about GURU Salon.
I specialize in bridal and special event styling. I’ve styled for events such as the Billboard Women in Music awards, music videos, concerts, and photo shoots. I travel to weddings all over Southern California to style hair for bridal parties. I get to meet many people and hear their stories. I love event styling because it’s usually an exciting day for my client. I get to be a part of that special moment in their life and they’ll remember that forever!
In cosmetology school, the teachers would tell us that working in a salon is hard because girls are catty, mean, and everyone is out to steal your clients. GURU salon is the best environment I’ve ever worked in. All of the girls I work with are so uplifting, positive, inspiring, beautiful, sweet, and I get excited to go to work every day. We took the style of salons in Temecula to another level. Most salons out here are farmhouse style or boutiquey, but GURU was inspired by the classy salons and bars in LA and San Diego. I’ve taken this concept and brought it to the GURU bridal team as well. Our goal is for our guests to feel pampered and we want our salon services to be an experience, not just a quick service. We even have beer on tap and wine served in rose gold cups!
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel that women get a bad rap for being emotional but I think that’s one of our best qualities. We have the opportunity to be empathetic with people we come in contact with and learn more about them and their lives. I think women can use their emotions to connect better with others and in turn, network and receive more opportunities. I work in a predominantly female field and I know a ton of badass women that are extremely successful and get to do a job they love!
Contact Info:
- Address: GURU Salon
40573 Margarita Rd.
Temecula, CA 92591 - Phone: 9519700443
- Instagram: Kaylahair.guru
Image Credit:
Leah Marie Photography
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