Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Gerber.
Hi Alyssa; thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I am Alyssa Gerber. I have been a hairstylist for 8 years. I started hair at 19yrs old at Paul Mitchell in Overland Park, KS. Hair was only one of my options in my career. When I was in high school, I was big in theatre and was the lighting designer for school events such as the talent show, all the band concerts, and the small plays. We would hire professionals for the big shows, and doing that was so fun and cool that it was a career option. So the end of my senior year rolled around, and the senior magazine was coming out with where everyone was going to college. What did I have planned? Nothing! At this point, I was barely graduating. So I was talking to my Aunt Julie, who I am very close with, and she told me. You should go to hair school, you have always been very talented at hair and make-up and have been doing it since you were 10yrs old. So that’s what I wrote down and decided to do. Going through school, I thought I was making the wrong decision multiple times. I remember throwing my Marcel curling iron on the table and walking out of the room crying because I couldn’t get it right. While in school, I found my true passion in hair and product knowledge. Once I graduated from hair school, I did a little job hopping, looking for the right place and exactly what I wanted to do. I worked at a front desk at a high-end, was a stylist at an affordable salon, and even went back to work at my Old hair school. I thrived at each job, but it was not the right fit. I decided I wanted to work on the Missouri side and had to switch my l license over. While doing this. I was looking and interviewing at one of the top salons in Kansas city at the time. I was so excited. They seemed to like me, and it looked like a great opportunity to become a six-figure stylist. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear from them after my first interview for three weeks. So I applied at PoshKC. This is where at the time, my bestfriend was working, and I thought it would be a for-now or side job. Well, here I am, five years later, and in love with my career. I am the lead stylist and trainer at PoshKC. Working at Posh has been such an amazing time. I have had opportunities I could have only dreamed of as a baby stylist. I have attended two 2 different conferences in San Diego and Las Vegas. I have been to 3 classes out of town and had the opportunity to do hair and NYFW. Along with this job, I have gotten to do hair on celebrities and professional athletes and even had My work in an Ashley Ice shoot that got published in Vogue. I have also been a finalist for the Pitch as the best wedding stylist alongside Poshkc. This past year I got to expand and do more work as A.G. styling alongside Devine studios, expand my knowledge, and do hair for Pageants, including Miss USA Missouri and Kansas. This all goes to show 1. Take all and every opportunity that comes your way 2. We can sleep when we retire. 3. Follow your Passion but be open to new ideas 4. Always keep growing and learning; it will take you to many places. And the last 5. Always listen to your Aunt Julie if you have one.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Getting where I am has been anything but a smooth road. More like driving uphill in a 1999 ford 6cylinder with only 2 cylinders working, which has happened to me. Starting my career so young, I always had someone or people want me to fail. This made it hard to want to grow and do better. Alongside being put down at work, I also dealt with major depressive disorder and Anxiety, which put me in a dark state. On the outside, I was a happy shell aiming to please everyone, and on the inside, I struggled to be myself. This reached a point where a friend had the police find me to do a wellness check at my lowest point. Today I still struggle with my mental health, but it was a long journey to even talk about it and get professional help. It is important to talk about your struggles and have a support system.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a hairstylist. I work at PoshKc and specialize in wedding styling, editorial styling, professional styles, and extensions. I am mainly known for my Classic simple styles and Hollywood waves. My most proud moment would be attending NYFW and assisting the lead stylist for the open and closing models of one of the fashion shows o worked on. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. My attention to detail sets me apart from others. You can either do hair or Finish hair, and I am always one to finish it.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Kansas City is one of the coolest growing cities in the US. An OJT of town client told me they have never seen so much pride for a city; she said, “does everyone wears clothes with the city’s Kansas on it? That’s normal here?” I told her Yes! They have so many options and styles. She then proceeded to tell me that it was not Normal. I think our pride is something special. What I like least is everyone knows everyone. For how much we’re growing, it’s still like a small town.
Pricing:
- Updo :100
- Blow out : 75
- Style : 75
- Hollywood waves :100
Contact Info:
- Instagram: A_g_styling
Image Credits
Ashley Ice Photography – photos 4, 5, Beth Grimm -photos 6,7
