Rising Stars: Meet Kayla Watts of Overland Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Watts

Hi Kayla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path as a hairstylist began in college when I worked as a salon receptionist in downtown Lawrence, Kansas and instantly felt at home—right then, I knew I’d found my calling. I dove into hairstyling and have now enjoyed 20 rewarding years in the industry, specializing in dimensional color and stunning blondes.

In 2018, my personal growth took a profound turn when I took a six-month break from alcohol, and wow—so much came up! Seeking support, I turned to a therapist and an energy healer, which set off a deep transformation. That healing opened the door to movement as a tool for emotional release, leading me to earn my personal training certification and create a really fun movement class called Mixtape. What started as a fitness class with a meditation at the end gradually evolved to incorporate more intentional somatic movements designed to clear stuck energy and deeply nurture the body with love and care.

In 2021, my path with energy healing deepened during a sweat lodge experience when I quite literally received a calling—I heard a voice say, There are a lot of hurting people out there who need your gifts. At the time, I had no idea what it meant, but I felt compelled to get my energy healing certification. As soon as I started, it was as if I had been doing this work for lifetimes—it felt deeply familiar and close to my heart. I love this work.

Over the years, I’ve explored nearly every healing modality imaginable, not just for my own growth, but so I can be a resource for my clients, helping them find the practices that truly support their well-being. Along the way, I’ve had the honor of leading women’s circles, healing circles, and overnight retreats—creating spaces for deep connection, transformation, and renewal.

A few months ago, I transitioned to Riley Girl Salon in Overland Park, and I am absolutely in love with it! The salon beautifully blends luxury with coziness, creating an inviting environment where every client feels both pampered and at ease. But what truly makes it special is the incredible culture and the talented, supportive stylists I get to work alongside—I feel so inspired and at home here!

While I love weaving a light touch of energy healing into my hair services, I also offer energy healing outside of the salon, which allows me to be fully in my gifts. It’s always fresh and exciting—never boring—and it lets me embrace my passion for beauty, healing, and a little bit of fun in every aspect of my work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Anyone who works with people and loves pouring into others knows how draining it can be. I have always loved doing hair, but I never fully understood why I felt so depleted at the end of the week. It wasn’t until I began working with energy healing that I learned how to protect and preserve my own energy while still showing up fully for others. This changed everything—not only did it help me feel more balanced, but it also allowed me to support my clients in a deeper, more sustainable way. Now, I love teaching others this skill, empowering them to maintain their own energy while offering care and support to those around them.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a hairstylist with 20 years of experience, specializing in dimensional color and blondes. I’m known for creating gorgeous, natural-looking color transformations that highlight each client’s unique beauty. Alongside hairstyling, I’m passionate about blending beauty with holistic wellness, offering energy healing services and incorporating a light touch of energy work into my hair services.

What sets me apart is that every hair service begins with a short calming and grounding practice, giving my clients a moment to reconnect with their body and heart. These two minutes are all about creating a sweet, quiet space just for them of calm before we begin the service.

I’m most proud of creating a space where people feel seen and valued, and where they can leave not only with amazing hair but also a renewed sense of balance and energy. My goal is to empower people, whether through beauty or healing, to feel their best and carry that energy into every aspect of their lives.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Oh boy, do I know a thing or two about taking risks! I dove headfirst into two major adventures—one that turned into a total disaster and another that became the most incredible experience of my life.

First, I opened a wellness center in early 2023. It quickly became a scary and painful lesson in what doesn’t work, but I learned so much from that setback. Then, just a few months after closing that chapter, I put all of my things in storage and moved to the mountains of Mexico, to a magical town called Tepoztlán. The town’s slow pace, the people there, and the sturdy embrace of the mountains helped heal me after my business closure, and it was nothing short of transformative.

Before I left, I said goodbye to all of my clients—even those I had been doing hair for over ten years! It was a big risk and I wasn’t sure what the future held, and I didn’t know if I’d ever return to Kansas City. It was a huge, nerve-wracking leap, but Tepoztlán turned out to be the most healing experience of my life. There, I learned to slow down, connect with nature, and honor the magic of the earth, water, and life itself. I fell in love with myself and found my value there.

My heart still longs for the beauty and frequency of that magical town, but a strong nudge eventually called me back to Kansas. After living in Tepoztlán for four months and spending three weeks in Costa Rica, I returned to the US.

Before I left for Mexico, I helped all my clients find new stylists, so naturally, some chose to stay with their new stylist after I returned. I’m at peace with that, and it’s been such a joy to reconnect with the clients who have returned, as well as meet new faces along the way. I truly believe the unique connection I share with my clients is why they choose to book with me. The soul-nourishing time I spent away was incredibly impactful, and taking that leap was absolutely worth it.

Pricing:

• Energy Healing $100-$150
• Haircuts $50-$75
• Haircolor $150
• Highlights $160-$200
• Balayage $165-$220

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovingsoulskc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayla.beauty.love/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.watts1/

Image Credits
Kelley Chance