Today we’d like to introduce you to Aliya Harris
Hi Aliya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up mostly in Shawnee Mission School District- and did not think this is where I’d stay. When I graduated high school, my mom didn’t want me to go to college until I absolutely knew what I wanted to do. I started cosmetology school, took a a break and graduated from Paul Mitchell the School in the fall of 2017.
Since then, I have been focusing on all things hair color, as well as growing in the education and curly hair department. Education has always been a HUGE part of my career and in 2022 I decided to become an educator for Keune Hair Cosmetics. I am also a contributor to the Midwest Hairstyling Awards! I like to stay busy, and I’m fortunate enough to make my passion projects into a very full career!
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 don’t think anyone’s road is smooth. No matter where you come from, our advantages and disadvantages are all truly unique to each of us. For me specifically, the biggest struggle has been navigating my industry. Being a creative means you really get to do whatever you want BUT this also means there’s no roadmap. Do you want to work 5 days a week in a salon, do you want to work editorial photoshoots, should you become an assistant? Are you ready to own your own business? What do you want your at home life to look like? All of these questions, and more, designate what path you lay out for yourself, your work/life balance, and most important, have no straightforward answers lol.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a business owner, stylist, educator and self care enthusiast! I specialize in color, extensions and curls. I would say I’m known for color- this was what got me interested in hair! From lived in, natural looks to absolutely wild color fantasies. I also have coveted a gang or gorgeous red and copper clients!
I’m most proud of my growth. Education is a huge part of our industry, whether you’re self taught or you shell out thousands each year for continued education, our industry relies on stylists staying with the trends so we can service our clients.
I’d say what sets me apart from others is my dedication to my craft, and thus, my clientele. I know that you’ll enjoy your first appointment, and you’ll love your hair the next! There are some people who get the perfect result their first appointment, but my job is to tweak and adjust what I learned in that first service to make it even better next time! I want to set my guests up for success after they leave my space and encourage communication between visits!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Cosmetology school is not the end-all-be-all and you get better at doing hair, by doing hair, so show up. Whether you like it or not, anyone who is a stylist is a business owner. Managing your clientele, knowing your numbers, setting yourself up for success with your systems are all just as important as providing amazing cuts/color/etc. I wish I would’ve started assisting earlier in my career and stuck with it longer. The closer you can watch someone work, whether a coworker, your mentor, or an educator, the more likely you are to be a sponge. ASK QUESTIONS! We don’t know what we don’t know aka your questions aren’t stupid, you’re learning.
Learn how to set boundaries, find your people and do what you enjoy doing.
Pricing:
- Every salon’s pricing structure is different. (Usually) not two stylists, even in the same salon, are priced the same! Pricing is based on skill, timing, product use, cont’d education, location, and more.
- Commssion stylists only receive a portion of your total, the rest goes to the salon to pay for product, rent, marketing and anything else the salon provides the stylist.
- Stylist who run their own chair typically choose their own pricing, but they also pay for rent, product, tools, education, utilities, sales tax, the lovely snacks at your appointment, and more.
- Price increases are normal, your stylist also deserves a raise- when your stylist or salon is increasing their prices it’s because they’ve expanded their education/space/services/etc, to stay current with inflation, or whatever other reason their business needs an increase for. Keep in mind, this varies stylist to stylist. The stylist is not over priced, they’re maybe just out of your budget. And that is okay. Open communication with your stylist ensures you both can find a solution that fits your needs.
- All in all- there isn’t a standard cost for any service, stylist or salon. Doing your research, having a price in mind, a hair goal and discussing this with your stylist will help your stylist determine what can be achieved within these parameters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glamourkittensss.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamourkittensss/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamourkittensss/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@glamourkittensss?lang=en
