Meet Vanessa Michelle: Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Michelle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
How much we truly have to offer as stylists to our clients. Sure doing hair at home seems easy enough but with every style/trend comes technique that we as stylists work hard to perfect, and even then still add our own style making it unique. Aside from creating beautiful, cool, or different hair styles we offer a safe space, a listening ear, genuine advice as requested and we experience life with you. The relationship stuff, family, first time buyer celebrations and even unfortunate events like loss in all its forms. Being a hairdresser is so much more than a creative career path. Mentally we are constantly keeping up with the new and the old, continuously learning, but socially as well, not just chemistry wise. Emotionally we give ourselves to each and every client making self care days extremely important to recharge and give it our all day in and day out. As a client you are not only paying for the specific technique, the service and luxurious products; it’s the experience, the education, the connections and the safe spaces we provide as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey to becoming a self employed stylist definitely had it’s up and downs. Starting in a new career entirely is definitely a risk and comes with many surprises but when you love what you do and are truly passionate about it each hurdle is definitely worth it. The hardest part for me was being a full time student, a full time mother and working full time then graduating and diving in not really having any sense of direction. So I did what everyone does these days, I turned to social media and started looking for a salon home. Each salon provides a different set of skills and environment. And believe it or not the environment is the most important one of the two, because the skill set can be built independently through outside courses/training. When I decided to get my cosmetology license I knew my end goal was to work for myself and have my own salon, and that goal still stands. I hope to one day provide not only the safe space I provide for my clients but for a staff that is motivated, energetic and caring. To provide the support, knowledge, growth and care they need. As my brand grows I want the world to know that I gave it my all and I remained genuine and true to my beliefs and to those who crossed my path.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oooh, I would recommend they take them to Lower Greenville and show them the attractions by my job, because it’s what I am most familiar with at the moment. Start with taking them to HG Supply’s rooftop, have them try Botolino Gelato or Steel City pops for dessert and Greenville Avenue Pizza Co. after having some drinks and appetizers at Swizzle the next day. If they wanted to go dancing I suggest taking them to Cafe Salsera in Deep Ellum or depending on the type of music I’d also mention New West the Tejano Club off of Northwest and 75 or Round up in Oaklawn for dancing and karaoke those are just a few off the top of my head but Oaklawn has it’s strip of attractions as does Deep Ellum. Brunch is a huge thing here so if that’s their vibe they’d definitely love it here! Aside from indoor activitiesI would suggest grabbing some frozen yogurt and hanging out at White Rock lake, Klyde Warren park or walking around DownTown because who could visit Dallas and not see the skyline up close and personal? It’s definitely a must see. Along with the museum’s it has to offer, DMA is the perfect one to experience especially when they have exhibits that are only available for a specific time period. Honestly Dallas has so much to offer you wouldn’t run out of things to do even with the current restrictions of the pandemic. If we are talking about the DFW metroplex then the possibilities are endless with attractions in each city and even in smaller towns.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As far as continuous encouragement and check ins, my family is always on top of it. They are always encouraging me, giving me ideas and exposure (Especially, Erica Castillo, Leticia Castillo, Janette Banda, Victoria Torres and Joanna Davila). The greatest family member of all is my kid hands down, she is my hype man, compassionate, and is just always excited seeing the continuous growth of my success and it’s definitely invigorating and motivating for sure. Throughout my career I’ve come across a lot of stylists and educators I was able to connect with and learn from along the way through classes, networking and coworkers picking each other’s brains. Those coworkers became good friends and to this day we still check in on one another and do our best to be supportive and encouraging as friends and fellow stylists (Monica,Helen,Brittany & Shaina). As far as organizations and books go this past year has definitely given me the opportunity to indulge in reading and listening to podcasts as well as taking online courses offered by great stylists and brands. To name a few, Freaks & Geeks the course by Coastline edu. is wonderful, Kristen Lumiere did a quick online guided course, a ton of stylists did lives helping and guiding the whole way through on hairstylist community pages one being Hairdressers helping hairdressers and that’s just from this past year alone. Throughout my career I’ve taken so many classes and online courses from stylists, brands and organizations related to business and the beauty industry. Books I recommend are Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell and 2000 questions about me (that one is more interactive). Podcasts would be Brit Seva Thrivers Society and of course The Garyvee Audio Experience as well as Impact Theory and Women of Impact. And last but not least, my clients are definitely a huge part of my success, they definitely give me the motivation I need and knowledge for growth with every piece of feedback they provide. Without them I would not be able to work for myself and continuously grow as their desires change with the newest trends and the exposure they provide for me and my business. For every encounter I am truly grateful for!

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