Life & Work with Nik Butler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nik Butler.

Hi Nik, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been in the beauty industry a little over 8 years! I graduated from Eric Fisher Academy in 2014. I started my career at a Redken Summit salon and did the associate program there. After only a year as a commission stylist, I went booth rent. I worked 3 years as a booth renter in Hutchinson, KS. I decided to move to kc/Overland Park after that. I was looking for a change of pace/next big step. I worked at a commission salon for a bit to build clientele, but after being my boss for so long, reporting to someone else didn’t work so well. I then moved to my dream salon at Coven in the West Bottoms. I worked at Coven for all three locations until we shut down because of Covid. I then moved to a mirrored salon in Westport! I worked there for two years as a booth renter; now, I own a suite in North KC that my boyfriend and I renovated. By far my biggest accomplishment!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
Bit bumpy, I’d say. I had to teach myself some services that were becoming popular then. Balayage and vivids were becoming super popular, and we didn’t learn them in school. So I just watched some YouTube videos, practiced on a mannequin, and had two balayage clients the next day. As of today, those are two of my best services. Covid took a huge toll on the hair industry in general. I believe I was out of work for 3 months. Not being able to do what I love for that Long or practice my craft was hard on me. I lost my passion for a bit. I also lost a handful of clients I never got back.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a hair artist! I specialize in vivid colors and balayage, which is a hand-painting technique. I’m known for out-of-the-box colors, rainbows, and unique color placement! I was nominated for the behind-chair shot awards in 2018. Out of thousands of entries, my work was picked to be top 25! I also was nominated for hair colorist of the year in 2019 for the Midwest hairstyling awards show. I got the top 5! I’d say what sets me apart from others is I’m an artist. So that helps me create the amazing color creations that I do. I’m also a people person. I love talking and getting to know clients, making them laugh and feel beautiful! I joke that most come to me to hear my stories/ live vicariously through me. I’m also a great therapist, lol.

We love surprises, fun facts, and incredible stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
I was just mediocre in hair school. It took me over a month after the contract to graduate! I almost didn’t become a stylist because of failing my practical state boards test twice! My dad was the one that told me to keep trying! I passed on my 3rd try and found out it was a simple mistake I was making in the blood spill procedure that made me fail each service. I passed with a 95% that day!

Pricing:

• Balayage starts at $140
• Vivids start at $200+
• Color corrections $100/hr
• Haircuts start at $40

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nik-109753.square.site/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/Nikthehairchik
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Nikthehairchik