Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Gregory.
Hi Hayley , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my cosmetology career and journey over 20 years ago. I was working in the non profit sector and experiencing burnout. I was looking for a new career and kept reading the advice to make your hobby your career. My hobby was bonsai and moving to Japan to do a formal apprenticeship was out of the question, I had a mortgage and way too many student loans to finance that dream.
As I thought about how I could make my hobby my career, I wondered if cutting hair would be like shaping trees. I visited a cosmetology school to find out more, enrolled the next week and never looked back. After several years behind the chair, I went back to get my cosmetology instructor’s license.
I have worked in wonderful spas, salons and cosmetology schools throughout North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. I currently teach for an international curl brand and operate my independent boutique salon, Deluxe on Depot.
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?
The biggest struggle is getting started. It takes cutting and styling a lot of hair on a lot of different types, textures, densities, etc before you feel fully confident. If you get into this line of work, it’s because you want to make people feel great. When you first start, not all your services land as expected and that makes no one feel great. The struggle is wanting it badly enough to keep pushing and to keep working on your skills.. An unhappy client can really wreck your confidence. Learning how to recover, correct your error and keep showing up is incredibly difficult at the beginning. As experience is gained, your confidence and skill set grow and you’re able to learn from your mistakes and hone your craft. Once you make it through the first year, it gets much easier.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create custom crafted haircuts for all textures and genders, specializing in bridal, curly and wavy hair. I’m known for one on one, private appointments where communication, education and the client experience is paramount. I’m most proud of clients telling me they’ve never understood or loved their hair until they came to me to unlock its full potential. Working one on one, with no other stylist or clients, no salon phones ringing, no walk ins or other distractions create a peaceful, safe and nurturing environment not found in most salons. I also use low tox, clean products that come in refillable or completely recyclable packaging. In addition, I’m the only salon in my area enrolled in a salon wast recycling program. More than 95% of all my salon waste, including hair clippings, are recycled. I am proud of those points of difference.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Learning to fill my books only with services I love was the best move I ever made. Having a book of services and clients I am excited to see makes each day a joy. I refer clients to other talented stylists in my network for services that don’t light me up. Learning to protect my creative energy has served me well and kept me from the burn out so common in my industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hairbydeluxe.com
- Instagram: Deluxe in Depot
- Facebook: Deluxe on Depot
