Meet Hunter Walden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hunter Walden. 

Hi Hunter, 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 backstories with our readers?
Some of my first memories are from inside the 4 walls of Curlette Beauty Salon in Spring City, TN watching my Mama cut, color, perm, and manicure every woman and man in the town. If you’re not familiar, Spring City is a small mountain town located smack dab in the middle of Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN where their population is around 2,000… that’s including the cows. Growing up in a small town, there’s a certain mold you feel that you need to fit in. Boys do “macho stuff” and girls do “girly things”. But I was a boy… who wanted to be just like his Mama… who did “girly things”. The older I got, the more I realized how hard working my mom was, and how special her job really was. She was part of people’s lives unlike anyone else. That’s when I knew. So, after high school, still struggling with “needing to do a macho thing” and really pursue my dreams, I packed up my little bedroom and moved to Nashville, TN where I enrolled in Middle Tennessee State University as a Chemistry major. After a semester, I quickly fell behind and decided I wasn’t giving it my all because it wasn’t MY dream. So, in December of 2014, I enrolled in Georgia Career Institute in Murfreesboro, TN where I immediately knew I was in the right place. After graduating, I hit the ground running. I worked at a few salons and worked independently for a few years before I met one of my mentors, Patience Moore at Juel Salon in Franklin, TN. Patience saw something in me and encouraged me to begin educating. This small-town boy, with dreams to see the world someday and no idea how to do it— Because of that woman’s faith in him took a leap and applied. Since that day, I became one of the youngest, fastest-growing educators with Keune Haircosmetics, where I’ve gotten to travel the country and share my same love and passion for the Beauty Industry that I saw in my Mama in the 4 walls of Curlette Beauty Salon back in the day. I now call Bombshells Hair Studio in Murfreesboro, TN home where I specialize in Blonding Transformations, and Curly hair. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been a few obstacles along the way. But the biggest lesson I have learned from them is that you can never change what happens to you, but you have complete control of how you react to what is happening. I believe that is how I overcame the obstacles that I’ve encountered so far and how I plan to handle any in the future. Have faith in the process– it’ll lead you to a ton of fun places! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Hair Artist. I specialize in blonding transformations and curly hair cutting. One of my favorite things about what I do is being able to create a completely special and customized look. Every guest is unique and different, and I believe that every hair color and cut should be as unique and different as them! I am most proud of becoming a National Educator for Keune Haircosmetics. As far as I can remember it has been my dream to travel the world. This way, I get to do just that while also sharing my passions with other creatives. I believe that my dedication to continuing my education is what sets me apart from others in the industry. Every chance I get, I want to learn a new technique or create my own technique! I believe my guests love having new and innovative techniques used on their hair… they leave feeling like they have a piece of art sitting on their shoulders… my art… HOW COOL?! 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
What I learned from the COVID-19 Crisis is the Importance of taking care of myself. I was spending all day taking care of others when at the end of the day, I wasn’t taking care of myself. Not to sound cliché, but self-care REALLY is the best care. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hairxhunter
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hairxhunter