Rising Stars: Meet Kylie Crinnian of Kansas City, MO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylie Crinnian

Kylie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The last time we chatted, I talked about how I had always wanted to do hair. I would say I started from the bottom and worked my way up like everyone else. My career has taken roughly 13 years of building, and I’m incredibly thankful for the experiences I’ve been given. Starting at a boutique salon as an assistant and gained an excellent education working under several stylists. After two and a half years, I transitioned to a corporate salon and quickly worked my way up, becoming a Redken Artist, allowing me to travel the country teaching. While working at a corporate salon, I was a part of the Glam Team for Chiefs Cheer, doing all sorts of editorials and working the home football games. I loved my time there, but it was time to expand, so I rented a suite and built my brand and name while employing two assistants to keep up with demand. Fast forward, I now am celebrating almost five years of owning my 2000-square-foot salon, Moxie By KC nestled in the Northland of Kansas City. We’ve since won multiple awards, including “Best Salon In KC” multiple times. That happens when you have the best team a girl could wish for.

I’ve cut back slightly behind the chair to cater to the business and build my team while building my education brand Texture by KC, teaching fellow stylists and owners how to welcome the curly community and build their businesses to their fullest potential.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha! Absolutely not. I’ve been very open and candid on my socials regarding my journey over the last decade. My life looks glamorous now, but it hasn’t always been that way. I’m thankful for the challenging seasons because they make me appreciate the good. Sometimes, I think I somehow keep playing life on hard mode, but I think many people do; they’re just not open about it. I have been on food stamps while supporting my husband during his Law School career, working multiple jobs while living in complete poverty, living to check to check, and surviving on overdraft fees and payday loans. My husband and I have climbed our way out by working 7 days a week and saving enough to buy our first house, and he put his trust in me to start building my brand back in 2016.

In 2020, when I leaped to open my first brick-and-mortar weeks after signing my five-year lease, COVID-19 hit the United States, and I became pregnant with our first child. So that meant I was growing a human while building an expensive and complex build-out while being forced to be unemployed for 4 months. See what I mean by “hard mode?”

My story is why I educate so much. I really believe hairstylist can live a wonderful life and support their families. Teaching the generations after me is something that I will always be so passionate about. I love business and am good at it, too, so I believe I have much to give. Business is difficult no matter which industry you’re in, so why not have good mentors who’ve been there and done it and who are still doing it?

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in naturally curly hair and empowering women to not hide behind their beauty. Curly hair has been ridiculed for generations, and women have been told to “change” or “hide it,” and I don’t stand for that. I’ve been building my curly business for 10+ years, and I proudly say I have clients fly in and fly out for a haircut with me. I had to build my salon close to an airport for that reason.

I’m most proud of the business I’ve built and being a mom. From someone who didn’t come from money, barely had financial guidance, and was entirely self-taught, running my business has been the most brutal struggle of my life. However, I’ve always been profitable and believe in my team while being the best and most present mom and wife I can be. I did not get here working 13 hours a week and I never gave up. I’ve learned hard lessons with managing a team and so much about myself and the boundaries I need.

My work ethic and how I invest in my team sets me apart; I don’t know many businesses that give as much as I do. This can be tricky, but I really believe that if you take care of your people and guide them to the best of your ability, they will take care of their part and be happier doing so.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Can you believe it’s been FIVE years since Covid? Insane. You have to be able to pivot and build your cushion. Learn how to work with less and you’ll be better for it.

Pricing:

• 165/hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/curlsbykc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curlsbykc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moxiebykc
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-crinnian-09942226b
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/moxiebykc/