Check Out Sarah Beck’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Beck.

Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey began with me giving a brave friend a kitchen haircut when I was 16.

I loved it, the haircut was pretty darn good, and at this moment I knew I was destined for this. Now, I’ve been a hairstylist for over 20 years, and I’m just as passionate about my career as I was when I started.

My training began at the Aveda Institute in NYC in 2001, followed by an apprenticeship with Nick Arrojo at Arrojo Studio. This was where I honed my craft and fell in love with cutting hair with the straight razor.

After a few years of living in New York, I was called back to my roots in Kansas City. I now work at a sweet, intimate salon in the Crossroads District.

After working behind the chair for 12 years, a question I would often get from my colleagues was how to cut hair with a straight razor. I taught my first mini class and I realized I was meant to be an educator within my industry. A straight razor is a tool that allows creative freedom and I absolutely love to teach how to use this versatile tool.

It was during my time teaching and connecting with fellow hairstylists that I found there was a collective feeling that our mental well-being was not addressed. We often take on too much causing overwhelm and burnout. While we absolutely love our jobs and love that people confide in us, sometimes the line gets blurry between hairstylist and therapist.

But we have no training in being a therapist. And so from this idea, The Balanced Hairstylist was born.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel like the road of an entrepreneur is never without bumps along the way. Being that this is the first business I’ve owned, a lot is trial by error.

I would say the toughest aspect has been doing this on my own. Social media, marketing, and technology, in general, continue to be a challenge for me, but I constantly teach myself how to work through the kinks and learn something new every day.

I’ve seen both success and failure. When it’s difficult for me to keep my head up, I remind myself that I wholeheartedly believe in what I do. For example, after a mental wellness retreat, a hairstylist said to me, “This is the best I’ve felt in years.”

Knowing that I’m helping in a positive way makes it all worthwhile.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of my strengths behind the chair is creating a look for a client that is unique to them. I specialize in haircutting, specifically transformational razor haircuts. I work with each client to find the best cut that is customized just for them; a style that will suit their face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle.

I encourage clients to embrace a cut that matches who they are authentic, not necessarily what’s trending (although if that’s what you’re into, that’s cool, too). I also encourage clients to learn to love their natural texture. Since the straight razor lends itself to bringing out natural waves and curl, it is the perfect tool for this. I adore working with clients and making them feel and look their best.

For education, I teach beginning and advanced straight razor cutting classes.

I specialize in small, intimate classes that promote hands-on learning so everyone walks away feeling comfortable with this unique tool. The straight razor is not traditionally taught in schools and I love being able to get out in my community and share my knowledge to help hairstylists grow and elevate in their craft.

As I previously mentioned, during my time in these classes I realized I wasn’t the only one that felt overwhelmed at times. The Balanced Hairstylist is committed to helping the mental well-being of hairstylists and beauty professionals.

The majority of hairstylists want to make people look AND feel good. We are giving, big-hearted people that love our jobs, but we often feel drained by the end of the day. Clients come to their hairdressers with their problems, their worries, their cares, and their stresses.

Therapists are taught how to leave their day at work, and how to not absorb all the stories and traumas clients tell them. It is vital that the beauty industry receives training in this area. In order to better take care of our clients, we must know how to take better care of ourselves.

The Balanced Hairstylist offers classes and retreats curated to help us stay more balanced behind the chair by learning techniques and strategies that allow us to continue to love our jobs without feeling depleted. During these in-person and online classes and retreats, we learn from psychologists, therapists, energy specialists, yoga and meditation teachers, and other experts.

Of the different aspects of my career, I’m most proud of The Balanced Hairstylist. I love giving back to my community on this important topic. The last two years have been especially difficult for our industry, and now more than ever we must address our mental wellness.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m excited to continue my passions of being behind the chair, teaching razor classes, and coming this fall, I’m thrilled to be expanding The Balanced Hairstylist as an online program, so it can reach more hairstylists and professionals in the beauty industry.

Through each of these offerings, I lead with heart and passion and am honored to be on this journey. As for what’s next, catch me on Instagram to stay in the know.

Pricing:

• New haircut/transformation, $180
• Existing client haircut, $120
• The Balanced Hairstylist, see website for information.
• Razor classes, please reach out for information.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hairbysarahbeck.com
• Instagram: @hairbysarahbeck @thebalancedhairstylist
• Facebook: hairbysarahbeck