Mental Health As A Hair Industry Pro

I did not see this coming. Even if someone would’ve told me that in a few short years after graduating cosmetology school, I would create and patent a hair extension method and educate in 24 countries across the world, I wouldn’t have believed them. I think I would have laughed in disbelief if they told me I would go on to launch a professional hair care brand that would rival those that had been in business for decades. What I also didn’t see coming was the intense and difficult journey I was about to embark on with my mental, emotional, and physical health.

I’m just gonna keep things raw and real here with you all. I don’t know how to do it any other way. Throughout the past four years of building my business, I have struggled immensely to prioritize my health and well-being. I’ve always been extremely active and have worked out at the gym since I was 15 years old. It was a part of my identity. But one year into creating IBE® and I quit working out entirely. I was so emotionally drained, I really didn’t want to leave my house. I was holding space for so many stylists going through education and mentorship, that I truly did not have enough space for myself.

I woke up with anxiety every day, fearing what the day would bring. I wasn’t afraid of work, that was the easy part. It was the fear of what was going to be said about me on social media. It was the anxiety of having so much to do each and every day, and yet still trying to be a present mother to my four children and hold space for each one of my stylists I was mentoring. It was the stress of managing a quickly growing company all on my own. Fear, anxiety, stress. Rinse and repeat.

Many people use the quote, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life”. I’m going to have to respectfully disagree. I absolutely loved what I was doing. I sincerely think most of us in this industry do! Being able to mentor hairstylists continues to be one of the most gratifying experiences in my life. Building a rapidly growing global brand was exhilarating and exciting, but I have never worked as hard as I have the past four years! I have never been so mentally exhausted by the end of the day.

There’s no way to escape hard work. Anything worth achieving in life is going to require it. It is an added bonus if you love what you do, but dedicated work will always be the key that allows you to unlock your goals.

I am the type of person who lives in extremes, and I’ve come to realize that many of us in this industry share that same characteristic! It can be an incredible tool, pushing us to achieve great success behind the chair. But there are times when living in the extreme is not healthy or sustainable. It took a few years of experiencing very difficult moments for me to make the changes I needed to find balance. Actually, let me rephrase that, it’s not balance I have found….it’s harmony. For me, harmony is alignment with self, an inner peace, a constant and steady striving for a positive mindset.

One of the things that helped me reclaim that piece of mind was building the right team. We are all surrounded by an ecosystem of people that interact with us daily, and they really can help us move forward or absolutely stifle our growth. It took just over three years to finally feel like I had the right people on my team, who shared the same vision for my brand. This year has been completely different now that I have surrounded myself with the right people. Don’t discredit how much of an influence those around you can have on your mental health! Unfortunately I learned the hard way that you should not keep someone in your orbit that doesn’t easily mesh with you or your business values. Your business can’t afford to wait and see if they will ever align.

I have gained so much peace by curating my social media as well. When I speak about reclaiming your peace and harmony by keeping only positive people around you, this also extends into the influence of social media. In our industry, it is so difficult to navigate because our marketing heavily relies on social media platforms. But one key point I have realized is that we are the creators, not the consumers. Once you begin consuming more than you create, your harmony will undoubtedly be skewed and the burn out will quickly creep in. Make sure to follow accounts that hit you with that “feel good” endorphin. I suggest you reach outside of the industry for information and inspiration, and fill your feed with movers and shakers found in other corners of the vast business world.

Since I can’t go back in time, here’s a few pieces of advice I’ll pass on to you just in case you’re at a crossroads similar to where I was. First, you are not going to be for everyone. Your target market is NOT the whole world, so don’t be thrown off guard when you hear “No”. You know what you have to offer so stay focused and don’t let it shake your confidence! Second, authenticity is felt, seen, and heard by all. There are so many incredible artists in our industry and we can undoubtedly learn from all. But stay original! It’s a slippery slope when you use others' exact words and ideas, and pass off as your own. Your creativity as an artist will be smothered as you try to fit into someone else’s mold. Lastly, your struggle will most likely match the size of your dream. If you’re dreaming big, prepare yourself for adversity because it will come. The dark moments will feel overwhelming when you’re searching for that light at the end of the tunnel. It’s real. It’s intense. But it doesn’t last forever, I promise.

No one can force you to be grounded, yet it’s integral if you want a long-lasting career. This industry needs you to be healthy and your clients need you to be healthy. No one can do what you do! So don’t wait for permission, and be your own advocate for positive change. It's never too late to make the shift.