Rising Stars: Meet Molly Rivers of Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Rivers

Hi Molly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born with a natural interest in creating. For as long as I can remember I have always loved art, expression, dressing up, and all things glam. Whenever I envisioned myself as an adult, I didn’t see myself in any other career besides the hair and makeup industry. I enrolled in a Cosmetology program as soon as I could and was able to start class a couple weeks before my senior year of high school. By the end of summer 2007, I was a high school graduate and a licensed cosmetologist.

Over the next seven years I worked behind the chair trying out a few different salons around southwest Wisconsin before starting my own business and renting a chair at a salon. Although this felt like an accomplishment, I still wasn’t fulfilled and knew I was made for more. I dreamed of working in the entertainment industry with celebrity clients but I couldn’t see it fitting where I was at in that point of my life.

Finally, for what seemed like the first time in my life, I followed my intuition and made the move to Nashville, Tennessee in the summer of 2014. This was a game changer. Leaving behind all I knew to move to a “big city” like Nashville was terrifying, unsettling, and everything I didn’t know I needed as a small town girlie (and baby of the family lol). Making that move was the mindset shift that showed me what I am capable of and motivated me to get to work chasing my dream.

I immediately began reaching out to makeup artists and hairstylists in town. I did some networking to build my portfolio and eventually got the opportunity to assist some very talented, well established artists. I did a lot of unpaid gigs in exchange for experience and photos of my work to share on social media.

My husband, Sean was one of the very first people I met when I moved to Nashville. He deserves a shoutout for supporting, loving, and believing in me even when I didn’t. If you asked, he would probably tell you that I am the best hair and makeup artist in the entire world, haha. His confidence in me is a huge reason I am where I am today.

I remember when I got the call for my first ever music video. It was for Florida Georgia Line and I was hired as the lead hairstylist for the talent. Just one day before the video shoot, I was shocked to find out I was having my daughter. I had such an overwhelming feeling of emotions on set that day. I love to think about the fact that she was there with me on the first video that really kicked off my career.

I now have been in Tennessee 10 years and could cry thinking of all the things I have accomplished that the younger version of me dreamt about doing one day. I wish I could go back and hug her.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. From getting my hair kit stolen out of my car to having to pay my bills while working for little to no money to gain experience, I have definitely had my challenges. I used to work as a bartender on lower broadway to help supplement income while I was navigating my way through the career as a freelance hair and makeup artist. There were so many weekends where I would work night shifts closing the bar and head home and sleep for a few hours, just to get up and do early morning wedding hair and makeup. I sometimes had 3 jobs at one time, worked doubles, and still felt behind.

A few years into trying to figure out how this career works, I had my daughter Sage Lincoln. She’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. However, having her and living so far away from family while trying to grow a freelancing career proved to be my biggest personal challenge. It also is my greatest accomplishment.

I am so thankful for every moment leading me to where I am today. I truly believe every challenge, obstacle, or plot twist was placed in my life to strengthen and develop me into who I was meant to be.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a freelance hair and makeup artist. It’s a career with so many different avenues and why I love it so much. I stay very busy working in the music industry with country artists doing hair and makeup for photoshoots, music videos, award shows, etc. Nashville also has a huge wedding industry keeping me busy on the weekends doing hair and makeup for brides and wedding parties. I work in TV and film when I can and also travel for out of town work.

My favorite projects to work on are with any client who is looking to push the boundaries with a style or look. I love to be creative and be part of a creative team.

I am proud of all of my work, but I do have a few favorites including some edgy updos I did on Shannon Ford Middleton for a high fashion photoshoot, or creating 1960’s looks on the nurses in Hardy’s recent music video “Psycho”.

I think what sets me apart from others is I have an intuitive way of bringing a client’s vision to life and am known to always show up bringing positive energy and good vibes.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Well, I am the youngest of four girls and I definitely show all the traits of being the baby of the family. I grew up with a witty personality and was very outgoing. Some called me “center of attention”, my teachers called me a “social butterfly”, and my older sisters called me a “brat” haha. I did push the boundaries a little when it came to following the rules and I still find myself doing that to this day.

I had a calling for this career path at such an early age and it showed. I helped my older sisters do their hair and makeup for high school dances, weddings, or just for fun. In junior high I bought a mannequin head to practice on. I would style the hair and take pictures to glue in a binder for my first portfolio and I named it “styles by Molly”. I still have the binder to this day.

As I got older, I experienced so much with my own hair and makeup. Living in such a small town, I was the epitome of “all dressed up and nowhere to go”. I would do my hair in prom updos and wear a ton of makeup just to go to high school on a random Tuesday. I dyed my own hair every color you can think of and cut it myself. I’ll be forever grateful for the photos of the cringey hair and makeup choices I made back then to remind myself where I started.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @m0llyrivers