INTERVIEW: Behind the Chair (The Work Nobody Sees)
An honest interview on being a Cosmetologist with Jackie; we talk hair, skin, nails, vivid color, and why “box dye logic” is killing respect for the craft.
When it comes to hair, most people only see the final result.
They may see the before-and-after photo, the shine, the curl, and the color that somehow looks both natural and impossible.
They see the client smiling, with the caption “Obsessed 😍”.
What they don’t see is the grind behind it, how much learning, investing, problem-solving, and emotional labor are found underneath “looking good.”
I've heard about it, and I know from others who have spoken about their work in the industry, so I decided to sit down with my wife, Jackie, for a real conversation about cosmetology…
Why she chose it, what surprised her, what was hardest, what she loves most, what people get wrong, and what technology is doing to the beauty industry.
This is her story, in her own words…
Interview: Jackie on Cosmetology, Confidence, and the Future of Beauty
1) What made you choose cosmetology school, and what was going on in your life when you finally decided to go?
Jackie: Cosmetology has always been a passion, something I’ve been naturally drawn to. The timing just never felt right before, but once we moved to North Carolina, I was able to attend school during hours that worked for our family.
The school was close and one of the best around, so I decided to jump in headfirst and finally go for it.
2) What surprised you most in school? What did you think cosmetology would be? And what did you learn it actually was?
Jackie: I was surprised by how many different types of people were there, and how many different reasons they had for getting into cosmetology. It wasn’t just people who wanted to color or cut hair; there were people of all ages, work experiences, and walks of life.
It turned into an unexpected networking experience where I learned a lot from others, not just the people teaching the class.
I also thought I’d leave school knowing exactly what I was going to do and how I was going to do it. But once you get into the real world, you learn even more, especially so from seasoned stylists.
School gave me a foundation, but I’ve learned so much since graduating.
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3) What was the hardest part of becoming legit, and what came closest to breaking you/making you quit?
Jackie: Building a clientele is the hardest part for most new stylists.
Your clients are your income, so if you don’t have clients, you don’t make money, and that pressure is always in the background.
That was my biggest fear: Would I actually build a clientele strong enough to make this a true career?
The answer was yes, and now I’m in a comfortable position. My repeat clients always build my confidence, and that leads to word-of-mouth referrals, which drive even more growth.
It becomes a full-circle process: doing great work with my clients leads to more clients appreciating that work.
4) Do you remember your first “I can actually do this” moment?
Jackie: I don’t remember a specific person, but a few months into working at my first salon, I started having moments when I felt comfortable with my own style.
I stopped trying to do what everyone else was doing and started breaking away from the black-and-white way school taught me.
That’s when I felt my confidence increase, and that is when I really began to bloom as a cosmetologist and stylist.
5) How has working in the beauty industry changed you, your confidence, your identity, and/or how you see people?
Jackie: Working in the Beauty Industry has changed me mentally in a big way because I didn’t realize how much hard work it takes to be a hairstylist.
It’s hard on your body, but also hard on your mind; you’re constantly problem-solving and working with different personalities and schedules, and it’s been an eye-opening experience, which I’ve enjoyed.
It’s also taught me compassion…
People get sick, things come up, and appointments need to be moved; when clients sit in your chair for two to four hours, you truly get to know them and what they are going through in life.
Over time, you end up seeing them more than some friends or family, so it’s made me more understanding, more engaged, and more connected to other people’s stories.
6) What do you love most now, and what’s your favorite part of the industry?
Jackie: My favorite thing is vivid color.
I love the bright pinks, purples, reds, and blues; it’s fun, creative, and it feels like turning hair into an actual art canvas.
I don’t get to do it as often as natural colors, so when I get someone who wants vivid color, even if it’s just once a month, it gives me that creative freedom I love.
7) What do most people misunderstand about cosmetologists?
Jackie: People don’t realize how much work and time/money investment it takes to be a professional.
They compare it to box dye pricing, but it’s not the same; there’s licensing, continuing education, time, skill, placement, formulation, and a lot of overhead from tools, supplies, product, and salon costs…
Costs have increased everywhere, but for some reason, people resist seeing price increases in hair the same way they accept increases in groceries or rent.
The truth is, professional hair services require real expertise and real investment to deliver high-quality results safely, and that experience and expertise comes with a cost.
8) What does being a licensed cosmetologist cover in North Carolina?
Jackie: In North Carolina, cosmetology covers hair, skin, and nails.
The cosmetology program requires more hours because it includes training in all three areas. So, if I wanted to specialize in nails, I could, and if I wanted to practice skincare like an esthetician, I could.
The limit is anything medical, like injections (Botox) or services that go beyond what’s legally allowed, which is the first layer of the epidermis. But within the scope of cosmetology, I can absolutely focus on skincare if I want to, and I’m interested in that area as well.
Nails just aren’t my personal preference, but the license allows it.
9) What parts of the beauty industry do you think will evolve most with AI and new technology?
Jackie: AI is already impacting things, especially with photos clients bring in from Pinterest or Instagram.
Sometimes the photo is heavily edited or 100% AI-generated, which can create unrealistic expectations. We (Cosmetologists) now need to address those conversations immediately during consultations, as the expectations may not be realistic when the example provided is not real.
I also think AI will help in big ways, such as color analysis, better formulation, tone matching, and maybe even facial scanning, along with more advanced guidance tools.
I expect it’ll also improve, if it isn’t already, everyone’s booking systems and client management.
10) What’s your “why” right now, and how do you want to be remembered?
Jackie: My why is simple, I genuinely enjoy it.
I don’t dread going to work, I love my clients (especially the ones who’ve been with me since the beginning), and I’ve built relationships that feel like real friendships.
It also works with our family schedule, which matters a lot; I get to do what I love in a way that fits our life.
How do I want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who listened, who didn’t judge, and who made people feel welcome. I want every person in my chair to feel safe and respected, and to leave feeling like their best self.
BONUS MESSAGE:
Jackie: If someone wants to get into the industry, they should research what it really takes, like the hours, the mental and physical work, and the hustle behind building a steady clientele.
If you’re ready for that challenge, it’s worth it.
There are ways to “dip your toes in” first to see if you like it, such as working at Ulta or a beauty counter to see if the industry feels right before committing to school.
People sometimes treat it like a “fallback career”, but for me, it was the one I kept falling back to because it’s what I truly wanted.
I tried other paths in life as a professional working adult, and I’m glad I chose this. If you feel called to it, go for it. If you have any questions, reach out, I’m happy to talk about it and share what I’ve experienced.
I hope you enjoyed the interview.
If you have any questions or want me to relay anything to my lady, drop your comments below.
- Zachary Small