Today we’d like to introduce you to Kallie Nelson.
Hi Kallie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started cosmetology school in 2015 but due to some health issues, I had to put off school. During that time I was a CNA and I knew something was missing in my life, so I quit and went back to school in 2019. I was supposed to graduate in March 2020 but with COVID it got pushed back to July 2020. My dream was to work in Chicago Illinois but since we were in the middle of a pandemic nowhere was really hiring so I had to look for a job in my home town Rockford Illinois. All I could find at the time was a booth rent salon so I decided that was better than nothing. I was fresh out of school with little to no knowledge and how I managed to be successful, I built a clientele from nothing and was able to afford my bills and products. In March of 2021, I finally got a job in downtown Chicago like I had wanted and I was thriving there, I decided then since I had come so far I could take a vacation. I and my girlfriend decided to go to Nashville since neither of us had been before and that’s when my life and goals changed. The moment I stepped foot in Nashville I knew this was the place for me, I knew that I would do anything and everything to get to this glorious place. I started looking into how to transfer my cosmetology license to Tennessee, and I started following a bunch of different salons on Instagram. And that’s when I found The Dry House; I was in love. It was my dream salon in my dream town!
Then one day they posted online that they were hiring and I responded to the story saying I couldn’t wait to get my license in Tennessee because I wanted to work there so badly. Luck was definitely on my side because The Dry House ended up wanting me to come work for them! I travel back and forth from Rockford to Nashville just so I can work there. I’m in the process of saving up so I can get a second home there for longer extended stays. But in the meantime I love my weekend or week trips there, I get to meet so many different people with different life experiences. That alone makes it worth it but at the end of the day Nashville stole my heart and I’m here to stay. I know I have a long road ahead of me and a lot of hard work to put in but with my family, clients, and home salon in Rockford backing me; and everyone at The Dry House supporting me I will be successful in this town.
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?
No, it hasn’t. Between starting out in the middle of a pandemic, and now the economy it’s been a struggle. Plus now I’m starting out in a new town with no connections whatsoever. But I have faith!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been told over and over I’m amazing at color.
When it comes to color I just understand it, I can look at a person’s face and their hair and just envision what they’re wanting or if I have creative freedom I can see what I want to do. I’m very proud of that because, for a lot of people, color comes a little harder. You really have to know your color wheel and because I do it has saved me tons of time while formulating.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
If you never take risks in life how will you know your potential in this world? That’s exactly how I live my life, and I’m not talking about risks that could cause harm to myself or others.
But for instance, starting a new life in Nashville was a huge risk for me. I don’t know a soul here, I’m completely alone and that’s scary. I leave my kids and husband to come here and that’s scary also. But I see all the potential and I have so much love for this city that the potential outweighs the negative risk.
Pricing:
- Blowouts $55
- All over color $85 and up
- Highlights $150 and up
- Hair cuts are $75 and up
- Extensions require a consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedryhousenashville.com
- Instagram: @kalliebee_cosmetology
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100063664175941/
Image Credits
Jeni Floeter
