We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kristen McGhee. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Kristen, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building my resilience. It’s something no one can physically see, but it’s the foundation for everything I do. Over the years, I’ve faced personal and professional challenges that could have made me quit… moments where the easy option was to walk away. Instead, I learned to adapt, keep my focus, and keep moving forward. This inner strength allows me to show up for my clients, my family, and myself with consistency and positivity, no matter what’s going on behind the scenes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kristen McGhee, a hairstylist, extension specialist, and beauty enthusiast based in Blue Springs, Missouri. I help women feel confident, radiant, and unapologetically themselves through customized color, precision cuts, high-quality extensions, and genuine connection in my chair. My brand is built on more than just great hair—it’s about creating a supportive, uplifting space where clients feel seen, heard, and celebrated.
With over 20 years in the industry, I’ve built a loyal clientele through a mix of technical skill, creative artistry, and a genuine passion for connecting with people. Outside the salon, I’m a mental health advocate, wellness lover, and believer in the power of self-care as an act of strength.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding my services, staying ahead of trends, and continuing to create transformations that not only change how my clients look, but how they feel.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a wildly curious, creative kid who would spend hours making things, friendship bracelets, scrapbooks, hair accessories… just for the joy of creating. I was also the friend who listened, the one who made sure everyone felt included and cared for. And I was bold.. fearless enough to try new things, speak my mind, and chase ideas simply because they lit me up. Over the years, life tried to make me smaller and quieter, but I’ve been intentionally finding my way back to that version of myself. That spark, that heart, and that courage are now woven into how I live, how I connect with people, and how I show up in my work every day.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized that pretending everything was fine was costing me more than the truth ever could. For years, I wore the mask of ‘I’m fine’, even when I wasn’t, because I thought strength meant silence. But eventually, I learned that real strength is vulnerability. The moment I started sharing my story, I saw how it gave others permission to share theirs. My pain became a bridge instead of a barrier, and it shifted from being a weight I carried to a tool I could use to connect, inspire, and remind people they’re not alone.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is real, but it’s not the whole story. What you see is my genuine personality, my humor, warmth, and passion for what I do, but like most people, I share the parts that feel safe and positive. The deeper layers, the struggles, the doubts, the lessons I’ve learned the hard way, aren’t always visible unless you really know me. I think both versions are true, they just live on different levels. One is for the world, and one is for the people and spaces where I feel most seen.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I’ve been dimming is my boldness, the fearless part of me that speaks up, takes risks, and pursues big dreams without apologizing. Over time, I let the fear of judgment or unwanted animosity and the comfort of playing small convince me that blending in was safer than standing out. But I’ve realized that dimming my light doesn’t just keep me hidden, it also keeps me from inspiring others to shine. I’m learning to turn that light back up, to take up space unapologetically, and to trust that the right people will be drawn to its warmth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristenmcgheekcmostylist.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen.mcghee.stylist?igsh=MWl1Zm5tYzhkdG9tZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristenmcghee.kcmo
Image Credits
Kristen McGhee
