Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Young.
Hi Alyssa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I decided at 13 I wanted to join the beauty industry much to the dismay of my parents, they wanted me to be a lawyer. They agreed to enroll me in a summer cosmetology program at 15 to see if I liked doing hair. I loved it. When I was 17 my parents got a divorce that was very messy. I ended up helping take care of my 14-year-old sister. I had to leave cosmetology school for a few months and get a second job to keep us going. I also graduated high school early to work more.
Once things stabilized I moved out at 17 and re-enrolled in Cosmetology school.
I graduated Cosmetology school at 18 and was in a living situation that was also not ideal, so I got a part time job at a salon and slowly worked my way up to a full time position. I used my local Facebook pages and client referral programs to build up a clientele.
I got my own apartment at 19 and just kept working to expand my education and build a clientele.
At 21, I decided I wanted to become and educator and give back to the industry. After a year of training, interviews, and practicing. I because a Healing Artist (brand educator) for L’anza Healing Hair Care. I have been educating and traveling to teach others for 2 years now and I am set to level up within the company this year!
I also am moving my business from Tooele County to Salt Lake county.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, Definitely not. I outlined the bigger Difficulties in the last question.
I believe that establishing yourself in any industry comes with its challenges, but learning to grow from them is the most important part.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Senior Hairstylist at an awesome salon in Tooele County! I am in the process of becoming an independent stylist in Salt Lake within the next few months. I also am a Healing Artist for L’anza Healing Haircare. So I get to travel and educator fellow hairstylist.
I am most proud of how hard I have worked through hard situations to become successful and not give up. Especially at such a young age.
I specialize in Dimensional hair coloring and Haircutting mostly. I love pinpointing common struggles in those areas and coming up with easy and practical ways to solve the problems. Creating techniques and being able to share them with my peers is my favorite part of what I do.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I think just that everyone has struggles, but how we grow and turn them into a learning opportunity is so important.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ayhair.stylist
